The right gorilla trekking gear and equipment makes the difference between an enjoyable trek and an uncomfortable one. Gorilla trekking is one of Africa’s most popular tourist activities, but the experience depends heavily on how well you pack beforehand, from your permit down to your boots.
Gorilla Trekking Permit
Your gorilla permit is the single most important item to have ready. Demand is high across Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo, so book at least 3 months in advance, either through a tour agent or directly with the relevant government body. Bring the physical permit with you, since it must be presented at park headquarters before your pre-trek briefing.
Rain Jacket
Rain can arrive at any time in the forest regardless of season, so a rain jacket is worth packing no matter when you travel.
Hiking Boots
Gorilla trekking involves navigating steep slopes, thick vegetation, vines, and slippery, muddy ground, quite different from a savanna game drive. Lightweight, waterproof hiking boots make this kind of terrain far more manageable.
Bottled Water and Snacks
Trekking demands a reasonable level of fitness, so bring enough drinking water and energy snacks, such as nuts or dried fruit, to keep your energy up through a trek that can run several hours.
Garden Gloves
Gardening gloves are an easy item to overlook, but they’re genuinely useful. Gorilla habitat is full of thick, tangled vines, and gloves protect your hands as you push foliage aside or pull vines away while moving through the forest.
Medicine and Toiletries
Changes in climate, food, and environment can lead to malaria, food poisoning, or general stomach upset, so pack antimalarial medication, painkillers, and insect repellent containing DEET. Toilet paper is also worth carrying, since bathroom breaks in the bush are a real possibility on a multi-hour trek.
Camera
You’ll only get one hour with the gorillas once you find them, so bring a camera with enough battery life, or spare batteries, to make the most of it. Flash photography isn’t permitted, so plan your settings accordingly. Binoculars are a good addition if you’re also interested in the forest’s birdlife along the way.
First Aid Kit
Pack a basic first aid kit with rehydration sachets, pain relief medication, cold and flu remedies, antidiarrheal medicine, antiseptic cream, lip balm, motion sickness tablets, and eye drops.
Insect Repellent
Mosquitoes, biting moths, and tsetse flies are common in the forest, so insect repellent cream or spray is worth applying before you set out.
Other Useful Items
Sunglasses, a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, a sun hat, and a walking stick round out a solid packing list for the trek.
With the right gear packed and ready, you can focus on the trek itself rather than second-guessing what’s in your bag. Book your gorilla trekking safari with our team today, and we’ll help you prepare everything you need before you go.
