For example, if you have an addiction to smoking, we would recommend that you reduce probably 2 or more months before your trip. If you have not been doing exercises, you would consider taking walks and for those who can, jogging would even be better. This is just to stretch your muscles and avoid pains after the trek. However our major focus here is on the most important items one should consider before a gorilla tour.
What to pack for a Gorilla Trek in Uganda or Rwanda
The packing list for Gorilla trekking is not different for Bwindi Impenetrable National park, Mhaginga National park as well as Volcanoes National Park. What we have advised below is for the gorilla trekking but if your gorilla tour is combined with other safari activities like nature walks, game drives, mountaineering, fishing excursion, there is always more to consider.
The gorilla trekking packing list may be as long as you want it to be but the most important things would include, a rain jacket, Hiking boots garden gloves, long sleeved shirts, hat, a back pack, drinking water, mosquito repellant energy bites like chocolate, candy bars, cereals and more among others. Don’t hesitate to contact Big Apes Africa for more information concerning your packing list for even other activities.
Hiking Boots For Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Volcanoes National park in search for the endangered Mountain gorillas is done in the gorilla highlands. Because of the nature of the forest, altitude and terrain, Hiking boots should be among the first items to consider on your gorilla trekking packing list. We highly recommend light hiking boots for this activity as you decide on what to pack for your gorilla tracking adventure in Uganda’s Bwindi Impentrable National park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park.
Garden gloves for a Gorilla Trek
Walks in the forest in search of the mountain gorillas will more often take you through undefined paths. In fact, your guide does a great job clearing and forging through the thick vegetation. Therefore your gloves will come in handy to protect your hand that will be active in lifting branches or pushing aside plants that may stand in your way. Some of these plants may itchy and you will appreciate carrying them, it’s a Jungle! At times the steep slopes tend to get slippery and you will have no choice but hold on to something, glove will ensure the safety and comfort of your hands. Since you carry a packed lunch and may have to eat something from time to time, keeping your hands protected from germs using gloves is a good thing. Please note that this should substitute the role of a hand sanitizer in the protection against germs while you are in and out of the forest.
Water proof jacket for a Gorilla Trek
It’s a common thing for most travelers to carry most their valuable items with them everywhere they go for example money or passports and other expensive gadget. You do not want these items getting wet just because you missed this small instruction. Whether you are coming in rainy or dry season, you are always required to carry a waterproof jacket in the forest because it can rain anytime. The reason for increased chances of rain is simply because Bwindi impenetrable forest is a tropical rainforest.
Long Sleeved Shirt/Blouse And Trousers
Walking through a jungle should not be confused with walking in a savannah park or even a highway. The nature of the gorilla highlands is that they covered with thick vegetation and trekking here may come with thorny plants scratching your body, legs or arms. Long sleeved shirt and trousers will go a long way ensuring not just your safety but comfort as well. We advise you to go ahead and tack your trousers in your socks to avoid stinging nettles or even safari ants entering your trousers. By now am sure you are convinced enough that skirts will look good on you elsewhere.
Energy giving snacks for a Gorilla Trek
Gorilla trekking can take anything from 30 min to eight hours a reason you are required to be reasonably physically fit before considering this trip. Energy bites like chocolate will come in handy to replenish the diminishing energies from time to time. Where the gorilla trekking experience stretches past lunchtime, you may be required to find a place to eat in the absence of the gorillas. The minimum quantity of required drinking water is one and a half litres. You can always find energy bites in the nearby shops or supermarkets with the help of your guide.
Porters for Gorilla Trekking
Whereas porters are not part of your gorilla trekking pack list, they are very essential in ensuring the success of your experience. I would like them to medical insurance, it does not guarantee life but play a great role in one’s life.
You can never predict how long your walk is going to take. 4 hours is typical of course inclusive of the one hour spent with gorillas but 8 or even 9 hours is possible. These long hours through a thick vegetation, steep and sometimes slippery areas may require you to get a push or pull once in a while. For those who feel amazingly healthy and feel no need for a porter whatsoever, we at Big Apes Africa highly recommend that you take one to support the community. Some of these are school children looking for school fees or even single parents trying to support their families. It’s important to note that they work in shifts and still not all of them are considered every time. We have had guests who have taken porters just to support the community and upon their return, they confess how their porters were helpful.
