What to Pack During Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda
Many travelers across the world would love to have a face-to-face interaction with the world’s endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. However, most of these visitors always ask about what to pack during gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda! Well, this article has got you answered. In Uganda, mountain gorillas can be found in only two gorilla parks, including the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, all located in southwestern Uganda near the Rwanda-Congo border.
When tracking these rare primates in their wilderness, trekkers need to have essentials to help them conduct their gorilla trekking excursions successfully. This is because, as their name suggests, mountain gorillas live in the mountains. The experience is a little challenging since there is a need to hike steep slopes, sometimes with uneven terrain, lowlands, rivers, and streams traversing through the dense jungle. Trekkers most times may come across sticks, thorns, and other thick plants as they try to make a way through the jungle.
During gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, visitors need to have the following equipment: a long-sleeved shirt, hiking shoes/boots, a pair of trousers, a rain jacket, a drinking water bottle, a brimmed hat, insect repellent, a camera, a pair of binoculars, a sweater, a light backpack, energy-boosting snacks, gaiters, extra batteries, garden gloves, and many others.
Having already paid for your gorilla trekking tour, including the trekking permits, accommodation, and transport. It’s important to pack the right gear for your gorilla trekking safari experience, which is similar to other gorilla parks such as Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Parks, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, for wildlife safaris, additional items are of great importance, especially during activities like game drives, hiking, and birding experiences. For details, contact Caracal Explorers.
What to Pack During Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda
Hiking shoes/boots
When preparing for a successful gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, and Volcanoes National Park, lightweight hiking shoes/boots are of great importance due to the challenging terrain and altitude. These boots will help you navigate the forests effectively through lowlands and steep slopes. Additionally, there is a list of affordable gorilla trekking tours starting from Entebbe in Uganda or Kigali in Rwanda. You can choose what fits your interests and budget through Caracal Explorers, and arrangements can be made for an unforgettable experience.
Garden Gloves
Gloves are of great importance to help you get rid of piercing sticks and itchy plants during the course of the experience. When moving into the forest, remember that it can sometimes get slippery, and this may force you to hold on to something just in case. When you accidentally happen to touch some plants like stinging nettles, rattan plants, climbers, and other itching plants, you are subjected to harm. Additionally, these gloves will therefore protect you from external germs and other items that may scratch your hands. Therefore, don’t hesitate to add garden gloves to your list during the gorilla trekking experience.
Cameras and extra batteries
Since taking pictures is a big part of your safari, make sure your camera is ready, that your batteries are well charged, and that you have extra batteries on hand in case you need them. You will need to shoot a lot of pictures during your hour with the gorillas. When capturing gorilla photos, please remember to turn off your flash.
Long-Sleeved Shirts/Blouses
Always remember to pack long-sleeved shirts, pants, or a jacket for your gorilla trekking. To prevent insects like safari ants from getting inside your pants, please make sure you tuck them in your hiking boots. This can be done more effectively with jeans and Kachi pants.
Energy-Giving Snacks
A certain level of athleticism is paramount because the experience may take about 45 minutes to 6 hours within the jungle. We also suggest carrying some energy-boosting foodstuffs, such as snacks, as supplements. Since you never know when you will return, you should pack a lunch and plenty of water before leaving your resort. Energy-boosting foods are available in Rwanda and Uganda, so ask your guide to take you to a local supermarket.
Hat and Sunglasses- What to Pack During Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda
Something that many travelers tend to forget to pack is the brimmed hat and sunglasses. These are always essential during strong sun rays, especially on hot days, together with some sunglasses as well.
Pair of Binoculars
Remember that you are on safari and that you want to be able to see everything clearly. During your quest for the endangered mountain gorillas, you may get the opportunity to see some of the more than 350 birds, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, forest elephants, buffaloes, and other primates that call Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home.
Porters
We recommend that all of our clients bring a porter for their gorilla trekking, although this is an optional extra. Since the gorilla trekking experience is a bit exhausting, these porters always come in to help you carry your particulars, such as the items you pack. During the exercise. They always charge some little amount of money to sustain their day-to-day living since most of them are students and community members, hence it’s worth it. Some are either on vacation or have been expelled from school because of unpaid tuition. You will have indirectly supported community development by spending some money to have a porter accompany you.
