What to Pack for a Safari in Volcanoes National Park.
What to pack for a safari in Volcanoes National Park is the frequently asked question by travellers visiting the park. Travellers should pack key essential items that will enable them to have a memorable safari in the heart of Africa. The park is one of the most popular in Rwanda, attracting thousands of tourists from across the world. It is renowned for hosting the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys and has a rich biodiversity. It hosts up to 236 bird species, 36 mammal species, 12 primate species and 200 butterfly species.
The presence of various wildlife species contributes to the various activities that the park offers, such as bird watching, gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, nature walks, and hiking, giving tourists a unique and memorable safari experience while in this ancient montane rainforest. Volcanoes National Park is a tropical rainforest with lush vegetation, steep slopes, and hills, which receives rainfall at any time of day.
Visitors planning for a safari in Volcanoes National Park should pack the following equipment: a long-sleeved shirt, a brimmed hat, insect repellent, hiking shoes/boots, a pair of trousers, a rain jacket, a drinking water bottle, a camera, a pair of binoculars, a sweater, a light backpack, energy-boosting snacks, gaiters, extra batteries, garden gloves, and many others.
What to Pack for a Safari in Volcanoes National Park.
Long-sleeved clothes.
Visitors planning a safari in Volcanoes should always remember that this is a thick rainforest with bushes and insects. Pack long-sleeved shirts and pants for your safari. This will prevent insect bites, scratches, and bruises from plants in case you go off the trail.
Garden gloves
Gloves are among the essential things to pack for a safari in Volcanoes National Park; they will prevent your hands from piercing sticks and itchy plants while penetrating into the tropical rainforest. While hiking, sometimes the trails are muddy and slippery, and you might end up holding a plant or tree for support. 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 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.
Pair of Binoculars
Volcanoes National Park has various wildlife species that you can see while on the safari. Having a pair of binoculars gives visitors an opportunity to clearly see these wildlife species that they might encounter, such as blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, birds, black and white colobus monkeys, L’hotest’s monkeys, among more that call this park home.
Cameras and extra batteries
It’s very important to take pictures while on a safari in Volcanoes National Park. 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 safari, and remember that these are the memories that you will take back home.
Hiking shoes/boots
Hiking shoes are among the things to pack for a safari in 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.
Insect Repellent.
Insect repellent will shield you from biting insects in the jungle, including mosquitoes, safari ants, and others.
Waterproof Jacket.
Volcanoes National Park is a tropical rainforest; visitors should expect rainfall at any time of the day. Carrying a waterproof jacket will shield you from rain should it fall while you are hiking in the forest; waterproof ponchos will protect you from cold temperatures, especially during heavy rains.
