Gorilla trekking is among the most popular wildlife experiences in Africa, seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Standing just 7 meters away from your hairy cousins, gorillas being most peaceful animals to let tourists spend 1 hour together on a guided trek with expert guides and rangers in their natural forest is a memorable experience. Planning for gorilla trekking safari, you must forget about experience of going in game drive vehicles, gorilla trekking requires physical fitness and active hiking over steep terrain.
Before setting off for a gorilla safari, particularly in Uganda and Rwanda, you should prepare and set in advance and double check with your list to ensure you have everything.
- Check that a copy of the Bradt Guide book for Uganda- great reading on the plane and great readings as you rest at your lodge or tented camp.
- An Anti- Malaria regiment along with any other medicine will be required
- Carry along with you sun lotion
- You should Bug Repellent for skin and clothing. Buy an insect repellent that also protects
- First- Aid kit – simple First kit that is light but has some anti- bacterial cream, band aids and other items including some eye drops our just might need flushing out, anti- diarrhea medicine, rehydration sachets, aspirin and cold.
- You need a couple of packets of antiseptic wipes
- Carry along with you sunglasses
- You have the carry along Binoculars along with you
- A camera and battery. Remember that a UK plug is commonly used in Uganda. You ought to bring a quality camera since there will be so many opportunities for picture taking.
- Flash light and pictures will be filmed particularly for the gorillas
- Hand sanitizer is also required
Clothing
The following aspects should also be considered!
At least 2-3 pairs of lightweight slacks/trousers that can dry quickly
- One (1) pair of shorts is required
- 1 to 2 long sleeved shirts are required
- 3 short – sleeved t-shirts are required
- A breathable waterproof and windproof jacket/coat like a Gortex is required
- One sweater, sweatshirt of fleece is required
- For women, one skirt is required
- Very strong waterproof walking boots-pants should be trucked into socks and boots while trekking
- You need to carry heavy soled rain boots
- You need a pair of sports
- Telescopic Trekking staff
- Hat: wide-brim or with a visitor for sun protection
- You need a sleep wear
- You need underwear and moisture wicking for gorilla tracking
- Lightweight wool socks is required
- You need wash cloth
- You need an alarm clock
- Health and Beauty Items
You are required to bring Anti- bacterial wipes, body lotion, Com and brush, contact lens solution, deodorant, face cleanser, Floss, insect repellent, Lip balm, malaria tablets, personal- hygiene items, prescriptions, Razors, Shampoo and conditioner, shavingel, soap, sunscreen, Toothbrush, Toothpaste. The first aid kit should include; gas relief tablets, antacid, anti diarrheal medicine, anthistamine for allergies, bandages, candied ginger for motion sickness and aspirin pain reliever
Miscellaneous
You need to get addresses of friends and family mostly for postcards, ATM/ credit cards and your bank should know that you will be travelling abroad before you leave. A bird and animal guide book is required. Contact information, driver’s license, health-insurance card. Please check to see if your health- care provider has an overseas partner healthy snack. Dried fruit, chewy granola bars, mini bagels, nuts, and pretzels), Local guidebooks, Maps, Money belt, Money conversion chart, Passport, Photocopies of passport, Photograph of luggage contents in case of loss, Printouts of reservations, Translation dictionary, Travel journal, Travel pillow and blanket, Vaccination certificate, Ziploc bags for stowing small liquid containers at airports
Type of clothing
Clothing needed include neutral colors to avoid bright colors and whites, which can distract animals and Equipment. Batteries are needed for small electronics and cameras, video camera and laptops, Headphones for watching in –flight movies, iPod, Reusable water bottle, small compass and video camera.
Therefore, anyone going for a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, DRC or Uganda must plan a head and get the mental and physical wellness prepared for the brave. The packing list below is just a mere guideline as you may have your own preferences:- 1-2 long sleeved shirts, 3 short sleeved t-shirts, 2 –3 pairs of light weight slacks/trousers – that can dry quickly (if wearing on treks),1 pair of shorts, 1 sweater or sweatshirt, A waterproof and windproof jacket, 1 skirt (for women), Gloves – gardening or similar (for gorilla trekking), Strong waterproof walking boots – pants should be tucked into socks and boots while trekking(Heavy soled rain boots also work well),Pair of sports sandals like Tevas, Hat-wide brim or with a visor for sun protection, Sleepwear, Underwear, Lightweight wool socks, Swimsuit (and a plastic bag).
Miscellaneous pack may include; Sunscreen, Sunglasses with neck strap, Insect repellent with DEET, Small day pack, Flashlight, Binoculars, Extra batteries, Camera and extra lenses, Film particularly fast film for the gorillas, Personal toiletries, Prescription medicines and possibly prescription itself, Kleenex tissues, Small notebook. First Aid Kit including Rehydration sachets, anti-diarrhea medicine, aspirin, cold medication, antiseptic cream, band-aids, motion sickness pills, lip balm, eye drops and personal medication.
Another important thing to note is you to let your gorilla trekking guides know about your trekking capacity. Usually early morning trekkers report to gorilla trekking centers for registration and briefing. In the process, gorilla trekkers are encouraged to speak up with guides so they can assign to you a habituated gorilla family that is easier to trek.
This is done because of the impossibility to book gorilla permits for specific gorilla families and the fact that all have unique. Trekkers are not guaranteed of the best gorilla family to trek often times due to the frequent social compositions of gorilla families. Days are different, gorillas may feed near the park boundaries or deep in the interior of the forest hence better know your hiking capacity to avoid disappointments. This is why you need to hire a porter at the beginning of your trek. Porters can assist you to hike steep slopes on top of carrying your backpack.