A good gorilla trekking packing list is essential for your trek success.
The gorilla trekking gear and equipment needed for a trekking encounter is the same for all mountain gorilla trekking destinations in Africa.
These destinations include Virunga National Park in Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Mountain gorillas live in families dominated by a silverback, an alpha-male that leads the way for all the other group members.
You should not leave out any essential gorilla trekking gear on your packing list when visiting gorillas.
This article informs you about the essential gorilla trekking equipment.
The silverback ensures the family’s safety and can risk his life for the others in case of any danger.
These apes are so unique and interesting.
They share over 98% DNA with humans. However, to meet mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, you need to be well-prepared.
So, after buying your gorilla permit, booking a flight ticket, and getting set for your gorilla trekking adventure, pack some of the items below to prepare best.
Gorilla trekking gear may vary according to the season, but to be on the safe side, pack for all weather.
East Africa’s climate is so unpredictable.
Trekking Gear for the Wet Season
- Rain jacket: Gorillas inhabit tropical rain-forests that receive a lot of rain. If you’re traveling during the wet season, there are higher chances of rain falling while trekking gorillas. Make sure to include a rain jacket in your list of what you need.
- Good hiking boots: Hiking boots are a number one item you should pack for both dry and wet weather. Gorillas live in higher altitudes of volcanoes, so you will do some hiking for hours before finding a gorilla family. This is why it’s called gorilla trekking. You have to trek to find the family. Good hiking boots will help you maintain a grip on the ground and keep you safe from piercings.
- Garden gloves: Garden gloves are one of the essential requirements you should include in your gorilla trekking packing list. Sometimes the hiking gets tough, and you might need to hold the ground or plants to get through. Garden gloves will keep you away from harm and germs.
- Long-sleeved clothes: It’s advisable to pack long trousers and long-sleeved shirts for your gorilla trekking experience. There are a lot of insects that might get in your trousers or shirts and sting you. To avoid all the drama, pack clothes that can cover most parts of your body.
- Warm clothes: Gorillas have adapted to cold temperatures in the rain-forest with long and thick fur on their bodies. Mountain gorillas can only survive in mountainous areas; hence, you should pack a couple of warm clothes as it sometimes gets really cold in the mountains.
Trekking Gear for the Dry Season
- Sunglasses and hats: Sometimes it gets very hot and sunny, and you might need a hat to protect you from the sun’s rays. Pack sunglasses to prepare for this.
- Sunscreen: If you have sensitive skin, be sure to pack some sunscreen lotion to protect your skin in case it gets too sunny and hot.
Gorilla Trekking Equipment for Both Seasons
- Drinking water: Drinking water should be one of your most essential items for gorilla trekking. You will hike and sweat and become very thirsty. There is no drinking water in the forest, so ensure you carry your own and have enough of it.
- Binoculars: Binoculars can be used in both rainy and dry seasons. All the gorilla trekking parks have various species of birds, some of which are endemic to the Albertine region. Bird enthusiasts will be glad to spot various birds during gorilla trekking.
- Cameras and batteries: It is very important to capture lifetime pictures of trekking mountain gorillas. You can take as many photos as you want, but be sure to pack extra batteries for this. Also, take note that gorillas don’t like flash from cameras, so you should turn off the flash when photographing them to avoid scaring them and causing them to charge at you.
- Energy snacks and packed lunch: Gorilla trekking sometimes takes many hours, up to 8 hours on a bad day. Prepare yourself with enough snacks to munch on as you trek. Some of these snacks give you the energy to push on. Lunch can be packed from your respective lodges. Do not litter anything in the forest or give food to gorillas. What you bring to the forest must go back with you to reduce the risk of transmitting diseases to gorillas.
- Insect repellents: There are many insects in the forests, and sometimes you can’t avoid getting stung by any. The best thing is to carry insect repellents to avoid irritating insect bites. Repellents keep insects away.
