Gorilla Trekking Essentials | Uganda & Rwanda
Gorilla Trekking Essentials are the important items that a traveler should not forget to carry along with them while going on the trek. Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda are an incredible, lifetime experience worth telling. For most visitors who are trekking gorillas for the first time, you might find this article really helpful in terms of what essentials you need to pack prior to your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda.
Visitors planning to trek mountain gorillas can choose to do gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in Uganda, or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Before you head out for your ‘gorillas in the mist’ trekking experience, make certain that you have the following Gorilla Trekking Essentials with you;
A gorilla trekking permit: Before you think of packing your bags and hopping on the next flight to Uganda or Rwanda, make sure you have purchased a gorilla trekking permit. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost USD 600 per person and USD 1500 in Rwanda. However, visitors are usually advised to acquire the services of a trusted and registered tour operator company. These companies usually help tourists acquire gorilla trekking permits quickly and hustle free. Explore Rwanda Tours is one such company that visitors can use when planning and booking a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda or Rwanda.
A light raincoat: As you all known, mountain gorillas live in forests; therefore be well assured of hiking and cutting through twigs and branches in the tropical rain forests of Uganda and Rwanda. So, given the fact that you will be in a forest trekking gorilla, expect rain at any given time. Make sure you pack light, long raincoat.
Long trousers and long sleeved shirts: Given that you are trekking gorillas in the midst of the tropical rainforests, you will need to wear a long pair of trousers and also long sleeved shirts. You would not want to be cut by tree branches and the creepy bugs that reside within the forests. Visitors should also make sure that you wear dull colored shirts, as bright colors can easily irritate the gorillas.
Long elastic stockings: As you will want to cover as much skin as possible, make sure that you wear long elastic stockings. A lot of emphasis is put on the elasticity of the stockings because you will have to tuck your trousers in your socks, just for extra safety reasons.
Gloves: A good pair of gloves will come in handy on the day you are going to trek mountain gorillas. Much as the park rangers and guides will do a lot to clear the path for you, trekkers will have to get their hands dirty as well. Therefore, it is recommended that visitors wear durable garden gloves in order to avoid being pricked or cut by branches while in the forest.
A good pair of hiking boots: Gorilla trekking activities in Uganda and Rwanda involve visitors hiking through thick and dense forests, muddy trails, and some steep, slippery slopes. Therefore, you will want to make sure that you put your best foot forward, in a literal sense. And for you to have your best foot forward, you will want to make sure that you wearing a good pair of waterproof hiking boots, which will provide you with good ankle support.
Insect repellent and sunscreen: Before going on a gorilla trekking experience in Uganda or Rwanda, make sure that you have packed your insect repellent cream and sunscreen. The insect repellent will do well in protecting you from insect and bug bites, especially if you have sensitive skin. You will need to pack a sunscreen cream to protect you from the excessive heat of the sun.
A camera and extra batteries: Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is such a memorable experience, and while you are at it, make sure that your camera is in perfect condition. In case you are planning to use the camera on your phone, make sure that you have fully charged your phone’s battery. For those with the professional cameras, carry with you extra batteries to last you an entire day. Visitors should make sure to disable the flash on your cameras and phones, as mountain gorillas are easily irritated/aggravated by flashlights. Clients who wish to carry monopods to take great still shots can do so if it won’t inconvenience you.
Binoculars: Visitors who choose to do gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda should know that you will be spending an entire day in the forest. As you are tracking for mountain gorillas in the forest, you might also be interested in seeing the variety of bird species living within the forest. Make sure that you pack with you a pair of binoculars to aid your sight during your brief bird watching experience.
Hat or Cap: Having a hat or cap while you are trekking gorillas is not such a bad idea. If you are doing gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda during the dry seasons, wearing an African hat or cap will work wonders for you in terms of giving you extra protection against direct rays of the sun. Visitors can also choose to pack a pair of sunglasses if you wish.
Mineral water: Trekking gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda can take between 2-5 hours of tracking the gorillas; hence you will want to ensure that you keep hydrated throughout your gorilla trekking experience. Pack about 2-4 liters of mineral water so as to avoid any inconveniences while tracking gorillas in the forest.
Packed Lunch: It is important that you have your lunch packed prior to your gorilla trekking experience. Most guides will pack lunch and water for their clients, which is carried by porters. Trekkers can have lunch before or after trekking gorillas, depending on how long you take tracking down a gorilla group.
Light snacks: As earlier mentioned, you do not know how long you will take trekking gorillas in the forest. Therefore clients should pack a few snacks for the road, in case you are one of those trekkers will a big appetite. Remember not to litter the park with snack wrappers, bottles, and tins.
Biodegradable Tissue: Since gorilla trekking takes place in the forest, you might feel the need to answer the call of nature. Pack biodegradable tissue to use while in the forest, and ask your guide to give you a machete that you will use to dig a hole and ease yourself. Remember to cover the hole after you have eased yourself. Also carry a hand sanitizer will you, which you can use after helping yourself.
Malaria pills: Clients planning to do gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda should make it a point to carry along some prescribed malaria pills. Mosquitoes do live in forests as well and you might get infected once bitten by a mosquito. Taking some malaria pills can help you prevent getting malaria.
First Aid Kit: Usually, the national park provides guides with a first aid kit, in case a tourist gets injured while trekking gorillas in the forest. Clients are also advised to carry their own small first aid kits, just in case of any accidents during your gorilla trekking experience.
Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda offer clients the best gorilla trekking experience in Africa. Not only is gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda a fun and adventurous activity, but it is also an educative experience.
These few pointers will be of great help to tourists planning your every first gorilla trekking tour in Uganda or Rwanda. Do get in touch with us for the best offers on gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda from Kigali City in Rwanda.
