What to pack for a gorilla trekking safari

A magical hour in the presence of rare and beautiful mountain gorillas is an experience that is bound to leave you astonished and awed. A gorilla safari — be it in Uganda or Rwanda — is a transformative experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. Without a doubt, it is one of the most immersive wildlife encounters you can take part in. 

Tracking these gorillas is a major part of the adventure, and your rangers will be in constant communication with each other to keep up to date with the primates’ location. Depending on where the habituated gorilla groups are on the day of your expedition, you could have a long day of trekking ahead of you. It pays to be prepared, so that you can focus on the experience itself rather than your blistered feet or your rumbling stomach. Here’s our definitive list of what to pack for gorilla trekking, to make sure you get the most out of your experience.

What to pack for a gorilla trekking safari

Long-sleeved clothing

It’s important to keep your skin covered to protect it from the vegetation you might encounter. In the jungles of Rwanda and Uganda, there are plenty of vines that can sting and thorns that can snag. As such, wearing long sleeves and snugly fitting pants (nothing baggy) is a definite necessity. It’s also a good idea to have a lightweight waterproof jacket available in case it rains. Along similar lines, it’s a wise move to wear quick- dry clothing (made with moisture-wicking fabrics) that won’t get waterlogged if the forest is damp.

Thick socks or gaiters

As with the standing-level vegetation, there is no shortage of thorns and prickles and insects hiding in the undergrowth of most forests or jungles in sub-Saharan Africa. So you need to be absolutely sure that

you have your ankles covered. Either wear a decent thick pair of socks — long enough to tuck your trousers into — or use wear gaiters. As far as socks go, you should also strongly consider layering a pair of thin cotton socks under your tough socks, to reduce the risk of foot blisters.

Tough but lightweight hiking boots

The forest habitat of the mountain gorillas in these areas is, by definition, wild. The gorillas move around quite often, and in order for to find them you may end up traversing through parts of the forest that haven’t been significantly explored by human beings. In such zones, the going can get pretty tough at times. Comfortable waterproof, and sturdy but (relatively) lightweight walking boots or hiking-ready shoes are a definite necessity if you hope to travel effectively in this terrain., Also, they should be well broken in before your trek.: After all, you wouldn’t want the boots’ first use to be a trial by fire, so to speak. They’ll most likely do everything they’re supposed to in terms of terrain endurance, but they won’t feel very comfortable, and that’s almost as important as foot protection.

Gardening gloves

You might not think that gloves you’d usually use to trim lilies and roses would end up on a list of what to pack for gorilla trekking. But trust us on this one: You won’t regret investing in a pair of heavy, impact- and cut-resistant gardening gloves for your experience in the jungle that majestic African gorillas call home. 

Granted, the rangers who will lead your journey will cut through much of the vegetation up ahead, making it easier for you to move through dense undergrowth. Inevitably, however, you will need to untangle yourself from vines at some point, or shift branches aside as you make your way through the forest. A pair of tough gloves, made of leather and other sturdy fabrics (and designed to have a good grip) will be invaluable in such situations. (Plus, it’s wise in general to have reliable protection for your hands in this type of environment.)

Daypack

You shouldn’t need to carry all that much on your gorilla trek. That said, comes in handy to have a small backpack to store your camera, snacks, first-aid kit, water, and other key accessories. This way, you’ll always’ have your hands free for negotiating the undergrowth, whether you’re pushing aside branches or holding on to tree trunks if you are tackling a particularly tricky section of terrain. When choosing your daypack, consider one that has a built-in hydration system — usually a tank in a waterproof pouch with a sturdy tube and mouthpiece attached. It may cost more than some backpacks, but it does eliminate the risk of you forgetting your water bottle somewhere.

Binoculars

Don’t forget: Gorillas are far from the only animals (or even the only primates) that make the forests of Uganda and Rwanda their home. There are well over 1,500 species of birds to look out for across the wildlife preserves of both countries, not to mention other primates. Rwanda is specifically notable for its Ruwenzori colobus monkey population and chimpanzees, while Uganda features the mangabey and red colobus. In both countries, it’s far from uncommon to see giraffes, elephants, hippopotamuses, and other animal natives of sub-Saharan Africa.

But we digress: Binoculars will come in handy for spotting all this wonderful wildlife. Your local expert can advise you about specific brands or features, but generally speaking, you’ll want a pair with wide-diameter lenses, powerful magnification, and a weather-resistant casing.

Energy snacks

When you set out on a mountain gorilla tracking adventure, the rangers who lead you will have a good idea of where the gorillas are headed. But these unique primates cover a broad range of territory as they go about their daily activities. In other words,  you could be on the move through difficult terrain for some hours before you reach any gorillas.

Bear in mind that making your way through thick vegetation on uneven ground is often tiring. Energy snacks might come in very handy to give you a boost of protein and/or carbs along the way, or during the return trip back to your base camp. Nuts, granola bars, protein bars, rice cakes, jerky, and crackers are all decent snack choices.

Spare batteries

It goes without saying that you’ll want to take lots of photos while on your encounter with the mountain gorillas. So don’t take the risk of getting stuck out there with dead batteries. Make sure you pack spare batteries or a power pack for your camera, and perhaps even a couple of spare memory cards if you’re frequent picture-taker. (If you’ve got a smartphone with high-end camera features, be sure to have its charger on hand.)

Expert photographers might want to consider bringing more than one camera, each with a different lens attached. This way, you won’t waste a minute of your precious time with the gorillas messing around with camera gear.

Insect repellent

Damp misty forests are a favorite stomping ground of all kinds of insects, including mosquitoes and other blood-sucking bugs. In fact, malaria treatments may also be worth bringing along.

Make it happen

To find out more about the gorilla safaris TravelLocal can arrange for you, get in touch with our local experts,. They’ll advise you on the best possible itinerary and let you know more about what to pack for gorilla trekking.