What to wear gorilla trekking Uganda & Rwanda – Essentials
Wondering about what to wear gorilla trekking Uganda & Rwanda? figuring out the best shoes, gloves, gaiters, backpack and the rest to include on your gorilla trekking packing list? Figuring out what to pack for a perfect gorilla trek doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Now that you have secured your gorilla trek permit, let’s take a look at the essential items to include on what to wear gorilla trekking Uganda & Rwanda the best gorilla trek experience.
What to wear gorilla trekking Uganda & Rwanda 2024
Clothing;
Pack right-wear light neutral colored clothing. Gorilla habitats are located in dense tropical forests on high altitudes demanding a visitor to trek for a couple of hours on different terrains.
These treks take you from small gorilla trails to no trails at all through thick and thin vegetation featured with different kinds of small vertebrates, insects, trees and different terrains.
Therefore, for a comfortable and unforgettable trek, choosing a right What to wear in mountain gorilla trekking will offer the best experience.
We recommend trackers trekkers to dress in layers as gorilla habitats are very cold especially in the morning due to their high altitudes. This way they will easily shed them off as the weather gets hotter in the day.
Long-sleeved light and comfortable shirts and long pants are advised. These will not only protect you from coldness but also from skin damages from dangerous insect bites like mosquitoes, tsetse flies, wasps, bees, ants, among others and from thorn pricks.
Neutral colored clothing are recommended like khaki, army green, brown, etc so that you can easily blend in with in the gorilla habitats.
Avoid light colored clothes as they interfere with the gorilla behavior and they can easily draw their attention to you which is not safe. Dark colored clothing is also not safe as they can attract dangerous insects like tsetse flies to you.
Cotton and comfortable under garments are also recommended as the trek involves hiking through different terrains for a couple of hours therefore you need to emphasize on your comfort ability for a best and rewarding experience.
Sturdy Gardening Gloves
Consider packing a pair of strong and comfortable garden gloves as during the treks, you will need to support yourself on different tree branches some of which are featured with thorns and dangerous insects.
There a pair of garden gloves will protect your hands from damage caused by thorn pricks, tree scratches, insect bites and they will help keep them clean.
A Light Rain jacket
Gorilla habitats are found in the rainforest which are characterized by occasional rainfall no matter the season therefore trekkers should consider adding a rain jacket on the packing list. A light poncho is also another good option for the best experience.
A warm sweater
A light weigh warm sweater or a cardigan will be very helpfully during the morning and night hours. The morning tends to be very cold and the nights as well most especially in mountainous regions, the gorilla habitats with temperatures as low as 10°C/50°F, that’s in Mgahinga and Volcanoes National park and usually at 11°C/52°F.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National park in the mornings hence requiring one to dress in layers inclusive of a warm sweater so that you can shed off as the day gets warmer.
Sturdy Hiking boots;
Gorilla treks are very challenging most especially on a rainy day which is occasional, pouring any time therefore we recommend packing a light, ankle touching and waterproofed hiking boots.
These will offer you with stability and a good body balance when conquering the challenging terrains of the gorilla habitats. You will also need to add on a pair of gaiters to protect your lower legs form insect bites, mud and water for the best experience.
Avoid sneakers, open shoes, saddles in the gorilla habitats.
A Sun Hat;
A wide brimmed hat will help protect your face and neck from ultra violet rays or from rainfall. A baseball-cap is also somehow okay though it won’t be able to protect your neck.
There are a lot of local fine sun hats old on the local markets, therefore even if you forget carrying one from home, you can consider buying it here for the best experience.
Insect repellents;
The wild is a habitat to a wide range of different insect species most of them which are very harmful to humans. During a gorilla trek, you will encounter a lot of them making it very necessary to pack and apply an insect repellent most preferably DEET-based to effectively ward off mosquitoes and other harmful insects.
while in the gorilla habitats to protect the body from insect bites. you can also consider packing sunscreen creams to help protect the exposed body parts from the scotching sun radiations.
Other essential items to include on gorilla trekking packing list
Hiking Day Pack; a lightweight waterproofed day-pack with shoulder straps is recommended for easy reach of your essential items to use on your trek such as snacks, water, first-aid kit, cameras, a notebook, pen, sun cream oil, wet wipes or a hand towel.
It should be a waterproofed bag or it should have a waterproof cover to help protect your delicate items such as cameras from getting wet just in case of a rainfall.
Sun glasses with UV protections and trekking poles or walking sticks which are often provided by guides in case you didn’t bring any. They help to give body balance and stability most especially on slippery and steep slopes.
Water; your hydration is very crucial therefore, you are advised to carry sufficient water bottles as water in the park might not be safe for drinking and then, you are going to trek for a couple of hours which will demand for several sips of fresh water.
High energy snacks such as dried fruits, energy drinks, nuts, among others are very crucial to boost you during the course of the trek.
A good digital camera with lenses, extra batteries and a memory card to capture soul captivating moments in the gorilla habitats and a pair of binoculars for spotting these magnificent species at a distance. Ensure to pack them in a waterproofed for safety just in case of a rainfall.
A portable first aid kit with basic items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, blister plasters, and any personal medications with prescriptions if any.
A cotton travel towel, light weight and quick drying to wipe off that sweat just during the trek.