What To Wear For Gorilla Trekking In Uganda And Rwanda, Packing List

What to wear for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, packing List: These days, going on a gorilla trek in Rwanda or Uganda is arguably the most well-liked tourist attraction in East Africa. One of the most common mistakes people make when going gorilla trekking is dressing inappropriately. For example, some visitors wear shorts and sandals, which are inappropriate for the exercise.

It is true that while trekking, you are not always following comfortable tracks—in fact, there are times when there are no trails at all or you hike along very small ones. The landscapes of Mgahinga, Uganda, and Volcanoes National Parks, Rwanda, are all located at higher elevations and are therefore wet, humid, and cold, especially at night.

As a result, when you arrange your gorilla safaris in Rwanda or Uganda, this prompts you to dress appropriately to shield yourself from the elements, thorns, nettles, and insect bites from insects like soldier ants and flies.

 

“Pack appropriately—wear appropriately.” Our suggestions for “What to wear for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda” are listed below.

Put on long shirts and long pants.

You must wear long sleeves and long pants (you can wear jeans or khaki zip-up pants); if you have waterproof pants, wear those as well. You are protected from branches, nettles, thorns, and anything else that could prickle or itch you by wearing long sleeves and long pants.

It is advised that women wear comfortable bras because the hike might be strenuous, and cotton undergarments.

In actuality, at the end of the day, the exposed skin has scratches, so make sure you heed this advise. Some guests choose to disregard it and wear shorts and t-shirts.

Put on sturdy, waterproof hiking boots.

A pair of waterproof hiking boots is essential, especially for gorilla safaris, as the trekking trails can be slick, especially when it rains.  You should be comfortable wearing the shoes; in fact, gumboots or rubber boots are typically worn by Rangers and Trekkers. As a result, nobody is seen sporting sandals, white snickers, or any other unsuitable footwear.

You can improve your ankle support, stability, and balance by wearing hiking boots in addition to high-quality, thick socks. It’s crucial to tuck your pants into your socks; although it may seem out of style, doing so will keep you safe from fire ants.

Robust Garden Gloves

Although it sounds funny, this is true. These robust gardening gloves will not be used for gardening, but rather for gorilla trekking. In addition to providing you with support on branches or vines, the gloves protect you from nettles so you won’t get scratches.

To get better pictures, you can postpone them until after you visit the gorillas.

An Overcoat; Since gorilla treks take place in the rainforest and are often conducted in the morning, rain may occur at any time of year, rain jackets are a good idea.

It is also possible to wear a poncho; most porters, rangers, and trackers do. If you are carrying one, make sure it is lightweight so you can fold it up and store it in your bag pack until you need it again.

Put on a Hat; All you need to shield your head and neck from the sun and rain is a high-quality, wide-brimmed Tilley hat. Even while a baseball cap might be your first choice, it won’t shield your neck from the scorching heat once the mountain mist has cleared.

If you don’t bring a hat from home, you can get one at any local artisan market in the nation where you will be going on a gorilla trek.

You’ll be happy you donned your hat at the end of the hike.

Use adequate insect repellent.

Wearing enough of bug repellant and applying sunblock cream to your exposed body parts will protect you from the various insects you may encounter on the walk.

It is recommended that trackers who are participating in a full-day gorilla habitat experience have repellant in their daypack.

A Cozy Pullover

One may ask, what’s a sweater doing in Africa? Absolutely, and it’s crucial that you have one or a cardigan for chilly evenings and early mornings. At night, it truly does get very cold. The temperature is 10°C/50°F in Mgahinga Gorilla Park, also known as Volcanoes National Park, and 11°C/52°F in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, with occasional lows below these levels.

For this reason, some of the opulent lodges here offer hot water bottles to guests so they can stay warm during the chilly nights, and others feature fires in their cottages or apartments.

Which color goes best with your safari attire?

Vibrant hues are best avoided when conducting safari activities in the jungle, although they can be worn when having supper at the resort. For daytime safari activities, neutral hues like light brown, green, and khaki work well. In fact, neutral colors work well almost everywhere in Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Botswana, and much more. Thus, it is not limited to gorilla tours in Rwanda and Uganda. Because they draw tsetse flies and other insects, black and blue clothing are not a good idea for hiking through a jungle.

The list of things you should bring on an African safari to Uganda and Rwanda is provided below;

The safari shirts or long sleeve tops

As they provide safety against direct cuts from tree branches, thorns, vines, and nettles, these will aid in protection from insect bites during walking walks and gorilla or chimpanzee treks.

long pants

 

For the majority of climbs and treks, jeans are advised because they offer safety and protection during jungle hours and reveal little to no dirt.

It is generally advised to win these at the lodge and in the daytime when there is plenty of sunlight. Because they expose the body to potentially harmful tree branches, vines, and thorns, they are not suitable for treks with gorillas and chimpanzees, volcanic hikes, or nature excursions. Once an insect repellent has been applied to the body, the shorts should be worn.

Socks Safari; Since they protect the feet, they ought to be made of wool or cotton.

Undergarments; It’s best to get some detergent in little quantities so that you can maintain them clean, as they need to be cleansed thoroughly when on safari.

Hat with African Safari Design; This is a must-have item that should have a brim; you can easily purchase one in Ugandan craft stores to shield your neck and face from the sun.

Jacket for Safari; This ought to be manageable for your body to hold. This is advised mostly because rain is predicted in the evenings during the dry season in the majority of the national parks where hiking and trekking are conducted; in this way, the jackets can be useful, particularly during the rainy season.

bathing suits: These are mostly advised for guests staying in upscale hotels or lodges with swimming pools. Furthermore, there are clients who might want to swim in our lakes, such as Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Kivu in Rwanda, and Lake Mutanda.

Sleepwear: These are crucial, particularly if you are planning a trip during the rainy season. As you may know, the weather in locations like Bwindi can be extremely cold, especially at night.

Light-colored sweater on Safari

This will be very helpful in the morning and evening in the jungle.

Outfits for an outing: When you return to the city and go on a few excursions there, these outfits come in handy. It might be a suit for men or a dinner dress for women.

Packing List for Gorilla Trekking

The items listed below are crucial to have on your gorilla safaris in Rwanda and Uganda.

Citronella soap: this kind of soap is essential since it serves as a soap substitute as well as an insect deterrent and has antibacterial properties for the body.

Insect repellent: RID is the most common repellent that is effective against tsetse flies as well as mosquitoes. This can be applied on clothing and is also available for purchase online.

Sunblock lotion: this lotion will shield your face and eyes from the intense Equatorial Ugandan sun.

Hand wipes are a useful product that can be purchased in Africa and are helpful in situations where water is scarce. They also help avoid germs.

Sunglasses: They provide protection from the sun’s rays.

Malaria medication: Doxycycline and malarone are always advised in addition to the best tablets. These are thought to be efficient therapies for malaria. A medicine bag with all of your prescriptions to help you on your safari can go with this.

A kit of toiletries: depending on the travelers’ sex, these can include a variety of products.

First aid supplies should be on hand in case a visitor sustains injuries in the wild.

Essential safari tools and devices

The tools and gear listed below are essential for any safari trip to Uganda or Rwanda. You have to take extra precautions to ensure that any laptops, smartphones, or tablets you bring are adequately protected.

Camera and related equipment: Always remember to bring a fully loaded camera along with a lens cleaning to maintain a clean lens.

Sufficient Batteries: Keep a full complement of rechargeable batteries and a high-quality charger in your car or handy bag.

Binoculars: Depending on the activity you plan to do, such as game driving or birding, you should bring a pair of binoculars.

Carrying extra memory cards for your cameras is advised if you plan to shoot a lot of pictures in the wild.

Journals: you can use journals to record some of your special experiences at the locations you visit.

Bright Light Flash. Take this with you so that you may snap pictures even in low light, such as on nighttime game drives.

Additionally advised are electrical items.

Take note:

Plastic bags are prohibited in Rwanda, and leaving them lying around will cost you money. Despite their continued use, plastic bags are prohibited in Uganda as well. If you still have room in your luggage, make sure to include some mementos from your safari, such as t-shirts, children’s books, and balls, to donate to the locals.

For an African safari, lightweight luggage is ideal. Additionally, never forget to bring specific day packs for activities like nature walks, chimpanzee treks, and mountain gorilla treks. It will be uncomfortable and challenging to enjoy a safari if you have to lug heavy, cumbersome bags or suit cases to the safari cars and lodges.

The devices that a traveler needs to bring will always be determined by an activity, which will assist prevent needless packing, which is what most visitors do. Travelers should take their time and choose carefully the safari activities they are going to partake in, as different safari activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, biking, and trekking with gorillas and chimpanzees require different safari equipment.

When packing the appropriate electronics for the trip, one should take the local weather into account. For instance, there are wet and dry seasons in Rwanda and Uganda, so it’s vital to conduct some study to determine when these two nations experience their rainy or dry seasons. Tourists are advised to always pack at least a bar of soap to assist with washing personal goods. The majority of lodging facilities in Rwanda and Uganda offer detergents such as shampoo and bath soap. In order to prevent becoming lost in the jungle, travelers are also advised to always keep their valuables, such as money, cameras, phones, iPods, and binoculars, in their carry-on luggage.

The essential devices for any African safari to Uganda or Rwanda are listed below.

Safari-style luggage bag

Mobility is a crucial component of the luggage safari bag since it facilitates clients’ easy mobility when the bag is lightweight. Since it’s so simple to misplace keys in the jungle, it’s generally advised to utilize suit cases with key combinations rather than ones with actual keys. The majority of tour operators recommend duffel safari bags to their customers since they are convenient to keep and increase mobility while on an African safari.

A convenient daypack

Given that the weather in the jungle can change at any time, this should be waterproof. This is primarily useful since it allows the customers to carry some personal belongings that they may require in the bush. These can be used for carrying essential documents, water to drink, and food on nature walks, wildlife drives, hikes, and treks with chimpanzees and gorillas.

The money belt or bag

The money bags are mostly suggested for customers because they aid in the security of cash. It is best if the bags are composed of cotton and can be worn close to the body to prevent perspiration. It’s also essential to wear it quickly and cover it with a safari cloth to further safeguard the cash; otherwise, you leave yourself open to theft. Important papers to pack in this money bag are the international immunization card, a copy of your passport, and emergency phone numbers.

Safari shoes, boots, and saddles

These should fit you comfortably and be either blue or black because these colors hide dirt better. While white shoes seem lovely, they’re not appropriate for an African or Rwandan jungle tour. To make walking easier, footwear intended for hikes and trips should be cozy. Additionally, these have to be sufficiently light to offer protection and traction as required. Learn more about shoes for safari. One pair of shoes is required for town usage on all suitable occasions. More to the point, cozy saddles close to the cabin are useful. Around the pool, flip flops are frequently used, and having extra shoes is advantageous.

It’s not always difficult, but it’s equally vital to dress appropriately for your gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda. Recall that this is Africa, where the mountain gorillas inhabit the volatile volcanoes of Rwanda and the Bwindi Forest! Occasionally it almost seems to be raining. As a result, you can see the hills, which are steep and frequently slick.

On the Gorilla Tour, t-shirt

Long-sleeved clothing for gorilla trekking: Sure, a t-shirt is very practical because it dries quickly in case of rain. A denim shirt or something longer that covers your arms from expected bush thorns and wild plants would also work well. Keep in mind that you must wear covered arms because you get up early and are exposed to insects, mist, and the morning chill.

An ape safari wearing a rain jacket

Your first priority should be a fleece or rain jacket! Here at Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi, it rains practically nonstop. I’ve seen some travelers make an inexpensive poncho that works really well. Here, please think about bringing a lightweight jacket.

Trousers or Long Pants for a Gorilla Trek in Rwanda or Uganda

complete gorilla trip attire—you’ve read it correctly—long pants! Here, shorts are not permitted! Given that everything gets wet here, jeans are not recommended! I’m sure you wouldn’t enjoy those heavy, tiring, and wet jeans when you’re searching for gorillas. The best pants are the quick dry ones! You can be sure that thorns, nettles, and branches won’t harm you.

What to Wear with Your Track Shoes

Gorilla Safari Shoes: Since you must cover your ankles, boots are advised for footwear. The impenetrable forests you traverse through have some deep mud. You can request gum boots, or knee-high rubber wellies, in Rwanda or Uganda. Hiking boots are appropriate for the occasionally steep and vine-covered terrain, depending on which gorilla family you are seeing. Do not bother with sandals, stylish white sneakers, or trendy shoes—they simply won’t survive the bush, my friend! Even the gorilla rangers in Uganda and Rwanda will be coated in rubber boots, sometimes known locally as gum boots! Be aware that the boots should be lightweight to provide support, traction, and stability on the steep hills. Please be aware that it’s simple to injure yourself by slipping all around when you don’t wear the suggested shoes.

Put On Socks

Anything made of wool is hip.

Putting hands over

Gardening gloves: building gloves are typically the best, but you can also try gardening gloves, especially those made of cotton. Because you occasionally have to cling to those wet vines, please take note that these must be padded on the fingers and palms!

lightweight rain jacket

boots for hiking

Hat/cap

Sweater for chilly nights

camera without a flash

Use a waterproof plastic bag to store your film and camera.

If you want to enjoy your time with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda to the fullest, you must always dress appropriately. The majority of visitors typically don’t give a damn about what they wear, but because you are fortunate enough to have read this, you should be well-prepared to go gorilla trekking in Africa.