The Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Packing List: Spending with a family of mountain gorillas can be a life-changing experience. Gorilla tourism in the remote rainforests areas of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda in East Africa contributes directly to protecting these critically endangered species and the conservation of their habitat.
Gorilla trekking experience requires a fair fitness level as you will be hiking in humid conditions through thick vegetation and along steep, at times rather muddy, mountain tracks. Clothes and shoes should be appropriate for these conditions.
This list will give you an idea on the best types of clothing to bring your gorilla trekking experience.
Waterproof Backpack
In the rainforest of Uganda and Rwanda, proper rainforest clothing is a must. Because of the nature of the forest, it can rain any time of the day regardless of the season of the month.
Note: Do not carry a stylish fabric backpack because chances are it will get soaked. Especially if you are carrying extensive camera gear make sure to invest in a solid, waterproof backpack or at the very least in a rain cover.
You will be able to hire a porter who will assist you during the trek and at the same time contribute to their well-being and the whole community at large.
Note: There is a weight limit on what you can bring and ask them to carry and chances are most of your backpack will be taken up by water for your trek.
Rain Gear for the Rainforest
Carry a lightweight rain jacket into your backpack and avoid the discomfort of dampness. There is nothing uncomfortable than hiking in the jungle in wet underwear.
Clothes
Always dress in the colors of nature so that you blend in with your surroundings. Go with greens, greys and browns in lightweight material that wicks moisture. Avoid camouflage as it is illegal for civilians to wear in many area. Do not wear animal print as the gorillas may become alarmed at seeing a leopard.
Although it will be hot, wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers. Some vegetation may be prickly, and covering up your arms and legs will save them from scratches and bugs.
Some trekkers wear gardening gloves so they can grab onto plants and branches for support without worrying about hurting the hands. Being the most supportive waterproof boots you can find. Treks can be up to eight hours in mud, making ankle support and grip imperative.
Thin moistures – wicking socks covered by thicker cotton socks will help prevent blisters.
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A pair of trousers, a long-sleeved shirt (t-shirt), and longer socks
You want to stay protected and cover as much skin as possible. Yes, the jungle can be so unkind to your body.
Prepare to look like a Mongol Soldier because your guide will insist you tuck your trousers into your socks to avoid red and climbing up your thighs. The long-sleeved shirt will also keep the bugs and thorny branches away from your skin. Please make sure they are light and won’t collect heat inside.
Note: Avoid the camouflage army like coloring or decoration, they are reserved for the ranges of military, and it is illegal to wear camouflage in Uganda and Rwanda. Pick some khaki, green or light colours that won’t excite the animals and lend you in with the natural world.
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A pair of hiking gloves
During the trek, the guide will do as much as they can to clear a path, but you are inevitably going to get your hands dirty and, in doing so, will want to avoid the prickles on your hands. Hiking or outdoor gloves will come in handy when you have to clear your path and grip a branch to avoid stepping on steep slopes.
They will also keep you from leaving dangerous organisms on the things you touch during your trek.
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A lightweight pair of waterproof hiking boots
There are no designated hiking trails, so you will have to put your best foot forward and your best foot will be hiking – soled, waterproof, and with a decent ankle support pair of jungle boots, like Indian Jones. Maybe not that heavy.
Two facemasks & hand sanitizer
A facemask is a must-have item for every trekker. Gorillas share most of our genome, which means they could catch any contagious diseases carried by humans, especially respiratory ones The same is true for us, we could catch infectious diseases from these great apes.
To minimise this, the specialists advise that we wear a facemask and stay at least 10 metres away from the gorillas.
However, you won’t have to wear the facemask while hiking through the jungle, only during your time with the gorillas. So pack a pair or more of facemasks, preferably eco0friendly ones.
Insect Repellents
The African jungle is not just any tropical jungle as it has the highest species of animals, bugs, and all kinds of creepy crawlies on the continent. The bug spray will help you avoid unnecessary itching from most bugs.
Include a bug spray on your packing list for gorilla trekking in Africa adventure. One-two punch of Deet on exposed skin and permethrin on clothing is the outdoor’s enthusiasts’ best bet to knock out the annoyance and risk of blood-feeding pestilence.
Even in the evenings at the campfire or lounge, douse yourself in insect repellent when you have less covering ad enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience scratch fee.
Energy giving snacks
Food is your energy source to keep hiking in the rainforest, no one is sure how long you will spend in the wilderness before the trackers spot the gorillas. You might want to carry something to snack on when you feel your energy is getting depleted.
Gorilla trekking lodges usually pack you something for lunch or snacking, which you through in your backpack, and the guides typically allow short snack breaks.
Still, you can carry something familiar like an energy bar and at least a litre of drinking water. Remember that it is illegal to litter the pack, so throw your garbage back in your bag.
Biodegradable tissue
There are no bathrooms in the forest, and nature may call anytime – pack biodegradable tissue to save you from the embarrassment of using leaves and keeping the forest natural.
Trekking poles or hiking staff
Trekking poles are sold as pair and used in tandem to enhance your stability and reduce your knees’ force while hiking and backpacking. Most are adjustable in length, and some include internal springs that absorb shock to reduce impact further.
On the other hand, the hiking staff sometimes called a walking staff, is a single pole most effective when used on relatively flat terrain and with little or no load on your back. Hiking staffs are adjustable, and some include a shock-absorbing feature.
They may give a walking stick locally made from timer at your gorilla lodge or visitor centre. Still, the hand-made sticks are not made to standard and could cause mobility side effects. On a steep downhill, the trekking poles can provide good anchor points to balance against as you hike down. Likewise, if you get to a steep upslope, you can use sticks to dig in and pull yourself up.
If you want to make your hike more of a full-body workout, there is no denying that moving your arms back and forth will help you expand a little more energy. It is also nice to get in a rhythm with hiking sticks.
If your hands swell when hiking, using trekking poles will keep the hands closer to the heart’s level, improving blood return to your heart.
Conclusion: This is all you need to pack for your gorilla tour in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo’s rainforest. Remember to pack light and right to avoid luggage safety stress during international flights.