You ought to have the necessary gorilla trekking gear and equipment to get fully prepared for your gorilla trip. Gorilla trekking is, without a doubt, the most famous exhilarating and thrilling tourist activity in Africa and worldwide. However, this experience can also turn into a nightmare if not well planned, ranging from packing the right equipment and gear to the actual gorilla trekking encounter.
What you definitely don’t want is to be pondering about what you’ve packed or encounter that awful sense of foreboding when you realize your new hiking boots or waterproof pants don’t fit that well. To provide answers to all your gorilla trekking packing questions, we’ve put together a collection of essential gorilla trekking equipment; what to take and what not to take – leaving you to enjoy every moment of your trek with less but only essential luggage.
Gorilla trekking permit
A gorilla permit is ultimately number one on the list of essential items to pack ahead of your gorilla trek encounter in Africa. Due to the fact that gorilla trekking is highly demanded, you are reminded to book a gorilla permit well in advance (at least 3 months in advance), either through a tour agent or by booking directly with responsible government bodies; either way, don’t forget to pack it as you prepare to head to the mountain gorilla territory in the misty mountains.
In all the gorilla destinations – Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo – trekkers are required to present these permits at the park headquarters before proceeding for pre-trek briefing and into the jungle for the real adventure.
Rain Jacket
Given the nature of the jungle, rain is expected at any time of the day, so no matter the season, a raincoat is recommended. This rain jacket is important because it can help protect the trekkers from rainwater while deep in search of the humble mountain gorillas in their natural environment.
Hiking Boots
Since gorilla trekking is quite different from game drives in Savannah areas, involving hiking in the jungle on steep slopes and through thick forest while searching for the gorillas, it is challenging in terms of penetration and navigation through the vines, slippery rocks, mud, and many other rugged attributes of the jungle. Such conditions inevitably require hiking boots that are lightweight and waterproof so that in the end, the experience won’t be a disappointment.
Bottled Water & Snacks
Gorilla trekking is an adventure that requires trekkers to be physically fit, meaning they need enough drinking water and some energy-giving snacks to remain strong and able to complete the long-awaited trek. Some of the packed energy snacks can be nuts or dried fruits to keep the trekkers energetic.
Garden Gloves
This might sound strange to you, but you surely need gloves as a priority for gorilla trekking essentials. Gorilla habitats in Africa include mountain rainforests and dense jungles full of thick, tangled vines, and quite a few will always end up around your feet or dangling in front of you. In such cases, thick gardening gloves come in handy to protect your hands as you pull them away and help you move any thick foliage aside as you stride through the jungle.
Medicine & Toiletries
Given that each person understands themselves better than someone else, due to the change in weather, environment, and food, it is common for trekkers to contract malaria, food poisoning, fever, and more. Therefore, it is recommended that they carry antimalarial pills, painkillers, and other basic medicines like insect repellents to safeguard them from forest insect bites. The recommended repellent is DEET. Other recommended toiletries include toilet paper in case you need to “go” in the bush.
Camera
Maximize the one-hour time given to you by capturing the best images/videos and interacting with the gorillas in different ways. It is a lifetime experience that a camera shouldn’t miss in your carry-on items when embarking on a gorilla trekking tour. Trek with a camera and make sure the batteries can sustain you or carry extra batteries.
Note that the camera should not have any flashlight. For bird lovers, carry along a pair of binoculars to watch different bird species as you trek to meet the gorillas.
First Aid Kit
This is an important item as well, which must include equipment such as rehydration sachets, aspirin, cold/flu/cough medication, antidiarrheal medicine, antiseptic cream, lip balm, motion sickness pills, eye drops, and any other painkillers.
Insect Repellent
Given that this is an impenetrable forest, it is without a doubt that a number of insects find refuge here, such as mosquitoes, biting moths, and tsetse flies. One should prepare for these as well by applying insect repellent cream or spray to prevent bites and stings.
Some of the items that one can also add to the list of things to pack during a gorilla trek include sunglasses, long-sleeved shirts/blouses, long trousers, sun hat, walking stick, etc. Having packed all the essential equipment, you are sure to embark on that long-awaited Uganda safari holiday to meet the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
