What To Wear For Gorilla Trekking In Uganda, Rwanda, Packing List
What to Dress and Bring for Gorilla Hiking in Uganda and Rwanda
Nowadays, gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is possibly East Africa’s most popular tourist activity. Most people make the mistake of going gorilla trekking clothed incorrectly; they wear sandals and shorts, which are not suited for such an activity.
The scenery of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda) differs significantly from that of Mgahinga Forest (Uganda) and Volcanoes National Parks (Rwanda), although they are all located at higher elevations, making them wet, damp, and chilly, especially at night. The truth is that while trekking, you are not always going on pleasant routes, but rather on no trails at all or on extremely narrow trails.
If you plan your gorilla safaris in Uganda or Rwanda, remember to dress appropriately to protect yourself from cold, thorn pricks, nettles, and bug stings from flies and army ants.
“Pack right-Wear Proper clothes”. Our suggestions for “What to Wear for Gorilla Hiking in Uganda and Rwanda” are listed below.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
You must wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants (either Khaki zip-up trousers or jeans), and if possible, waterproof trousers. Both long pants and long-sleeved shirts protect you from branches, nettles, thorns, or anything else that can prick/scratch you.
Cotton undergarments are encouraged, and females should wear comfortable bras because the hike might be strenuous.
Some visitors disregard this advise and dress in shorts and t-shirts; nevertheless, at the end of the day, the exposed skin has scratches, so make sure you heed this tip.
Use Waterproof Hiking Boots that are Durable.
The trekking routes can be treacherous, especially when it rains, thus waterproof hiking boots are recommended, especially for gorilla safaris. Rangers and Trekkers typically wear rubber boots or gumboots, so your shoes should be comfy. As a result, no one is wearing white sneakers, sandals, or any other improper footwear.
Hiking boots will provide you with good stability, balance, traction, and ankle support if you wear them with nice and thick socks. Tucking your pants into your socks may sound and appear unfashionable, but it will protect you against fire ants.
Gardening Gloves that are Durable
This appears to be a joke, yet it is correct. These tough gardening gloves will be used for gorilla trekking, not gardening. These will assist you to balance yourself on branches or vines, the gloves also provide you protection from nettles such that you don’t get scratched.
You can put them off when you meet the gorillas to get beautiful shots.
A Rain Jacket
A Rain Jacket Because gorillas are walked in the jungle and generally, in the morning hours, rain can fall at any moment, whether it’s a dry season or not, and a rain jacket should be brought.
A poncho can be worn as well; most trackers, rangers, and porters do. If you must carry one, make it a light one that you can simply fold and store in your bag pack until you need it again.
Put On A Hat
All you need is a nice wide-brimmed hat, such as a Tilley Hat, to protect your head and neck from rain and sun. Wearing a baseball cap will not shield your neck from the scorching sun once the mist in the mountains has dissipated.
If you do not bring your own hat, you can purchase one at any local artisan market in the nation where you will be hiking gorillas.
Wear Enough Insect Repellent
Throughout the walk, you may encounter several insects; thus, wearing a lot of insect repellent will protect you, as would using a sunblock cream on your exposed body parts.
Trackers who are on a Gorilla Habituation Experience that lasts many days should have repellant in their daypack.
A Cozy Sweater
A sweater in Africa, one would question. Indeed, it is critical that you have one or a cardigan on hand for early mornings and cold evenings. It becomes really chilly at night. The temperature at Mgahinga Gorilla Park and Volcanoes National Park is 10°C/50°F, whereas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest it is 11°C/52°F, and sometimes lower.
As a result, the luxury lodges here feature fires in cottages or rooms, while some lodges provide tourists with hot water bottles to keep them warm during the frigid night.
African Safari Clothes, What To Wear On Safari Crucial Safari Clothing to Carry.
What Color Should Your Safari Clothing Be?
Bright colors should be avoided while participating in safari activities in the bush, although they can be worn while dining at the resort. Neutral hues such as light brown, green, and Khaki are ideal for safari activities throughout the day and are highly suggested throughout Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Botswana, and many more. Tsetse flies and other insects are attracted to black and blue clothes in the bush.
The following is a list of what to carry for an African safari to Uganda and Rwanda.
Long-sleeved tops and safari shirts
They can aid with bug protection while carrying gorilla or chimp treks, and strolling trips, as they give protection from direct wounds from tree branches, thorns, vines, and nettles.
Long Trouser Jeans are often suggested for most walks and excursions since they show less dirt and provide safety and protection during jungle hours.
Safari Shorts in Africa
They are usually earned at the lodge and during the day when the sun is shining brightly. They are not suitable for gorilla and chimp climbs, volcano hikes, or nature excursions since they expose the body to potentially hazardous tree branches, vines, and thorns. While applying insect repellent to the body, the shorts should be worn.
Socks for Safari
Because they protect the feet, they should be made of cotton or wool.
Underwear They must be cleaned clean when on safari, therefore get some detergent in little quantities to keep them clean.
African Safari Hat This is a must-have item, and it should be a brimmed hat; you can easily buy one in Ugandan craft stores to shield your face and neck from harsh sunlight.
Safari Coat
This should be light enough to be carried by your body. This is advised mostly because rain is forecast in most national parks where hiking and trekking take place throughout the dry season, so these coats might be useful, especially during jungle time.
In Safari, Wear a Light Sweater
This will be particularly useful in the Jungle during the early and evening hours.
Outing Outfits
These outfits are useful when you return to the city and have a few outings within the city. It might be a dinner gown for ladies or a suit for males.
Pajamas
They are especially crucial if you are planning a trip during the wet season, as the temperature in locations like Bwindi can be quite chilly, especially at night.
In a nutshell:
These are mostly advised for individuals staying in upmarket hotels or lodges with swimming pools. There are also consumers who may be interested in swimming in our lakes such as Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Kivu in Rwanda, and Lake Mutanda.
Packing List for Gorilla Trekking
These things are essential for use during your gorilla safaris in Uganda and Rwanda.
Citronella soap is essential since it functions as both a soap and an insect repellant; this form of soap is also anti-bacterial to the body.
RID is the most common insect repellent that works against both mosquitos and tsetse flies. This may also be purchased online and used with clothing.
Sunblock lotion: This cream will protect your face and eyes from the scorching heat of Equatorial Uganda.
Hand Wipes: These are useful things that help prevent germs and may be purchased in Africa; they can be useful in circumstances when there is no water.
Sunglasses: They provide protection from direct sunlight.
Malaria medicine: Malarone and Doxycycline are always suggested as the finest medicines. They are thought to be effective malaria treatments. This can be complemented by a medicine pack containing all of your necessary medications for your safari.
A toiletry kit: depending on the travelers’ gender, these kits can contain a variety of products.
First Aid Kit: This should be carried in case a visitor is harmed while exploring the bush.
Important Safari Accessories and Equipment
These are the essential tools and equipment for any safari to Uganda or Rwanda. Whether you are carrying a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, you must provide adequate protection.
Camera and related equipment: Finish up carrying a camera with all of its accessories as well as a lens cleaner to keep the camera lens clean.
Adequate Batteries: Have a full set of charged batteries and a decent charger in your truck or automobile, and keep them in a convenient bag.
Binoculars: It is recommended that you bring a pair of binoculars with you, depending on whether you are going birding or on a game drive.
Camera Memory Card: If you plan on taking a lot of images in the forest, bring additional memory cards with you.
Journals: These can be carried with you to record your unique experiences in the areas you visit.
Light Bulb. Carry this with you to help you shoot shots even in low light, such as on night game drives.
Electric items are also suggested.
Note:
Plastic bags are not permitted in Rwanda, and you will be fined if you leave them lying about. Plastic bags are likewise prohibited in Uganda, despite the fact that they are nevertheless widely used. If you have room in your luggage, bring some mementos like balls, children’s books, and t-shirts to give out to locals while on safari.
Light luggage is ideal for an African safari, and remember to bring appropriate day packs for nature excursions, chimp treks, and mountain gorilla treks. The huge bulky bags or suitcases are inconvenient and will complicate your safari, especially when bringing the luggage to the safari cars and lodgings.
An activity will always define which devices a traveler will need to take, which will aid in avoiding excessive packaging, which is done by the majority of travelers. Trekking, gorilla and chimp treks, mountain climbing, bicycling, and volcano hiking all require various safari devices, so travelers should plan ahead of time and know exactly which activities they will participate in.
When packing the correct devices to use, examine the weather of the destination. For example, in Uganda and Rwanda, there are wet and dry seasons, so it’s vital to conduct some studies and figure out whether it’s rainy or dry. Most lodging facilities in Rwanda and Uganda supply detergents such as bathing soap and shampoo; nevertheless, travelers should always bring at least a bar of soap to assist with washing personal goods. Tourists should also keep valuables such as binoculars, money, cameras, phones, and iPods in their carry-on baggage to prevent getting stranded in the jungle.
The following is a list of all the essential equipment to bring on any African safari to Uganda or Rwanda.
Safari Luggage Bag
Mobility is important when it comes to baggage safari bags since it makes moving easier for the clients when the safari bag is light. Because keys are often misplaced in the Jungle, it’s best to utilize suitcases with key combinations rather than those with keys. Most tour operators recommend that guests use duffel safari bags since they are easy to store and provide increased mobility on an African safari.
A Practical Day Bag
Clothing should be waterproof because the weather might change at any time in the forest. This mostly assists customers in carrying personal stuff that they may require while in the jungle, which is why it is useful. On game drives, hikes, nature walks, and chimp and gorilla treks, they can be utilized to transport crucial papers, drinking water, and food.
Money Belt or Money Bag
Money bags are primarily suggested for customers because they aid with money security; it is advised that they be made of cotton so that they may be carried close to the body to minimize sweating. It’s also vital to wear it rapidly and then place a safari cloth on top to offer extra security to the cash because once it’s on top of clothes, it leaves you open to thieving. Important documents to have in this money bag are a passport or a copy of it, emergency phone numbers, and an international vaccination card.
Safari Boots, Shoes, and Saddles
They should be comfy for you and should be black or blue because these hues show dirt less. White sneakers are appropriate for a bush trip in Uganda and Rwanda. Hiking and trekking footwear should be comfortable to allow for easy walking. They should be light enough to give traction and protection when necessary. Find out more about safari shoes. For city use, only one pair of shoes is required for each acceptable occasion. Comfortable saddles near the lodge are especially useful. Flip-flops are widely worn near swimming pools, and additional shoes are advantageous in races.
Choosing the appropriate clothing for a gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda is not always difficult, but it is equally important. Remember, this is Africa, and the mountain gorillas reside in the Bwindi Forest or the Volcanoes of Rwanda, where the weather is quite volatile! Every now and again, it almost pours. Just imagine the steep and frequently slippery hills…you get the picture!
T-Shirt On Gorilla Tour
Long-sleeved shirt on gorilla viewing Absolutely, a t-shirt is useful for gorilla trekking since it dries rapidly in case of rain. A denim shirt or something long enough to conceal your arms from the expected wild plants and bush thorns should suffice. Remember that you wake up early to mist or a morning chill, as well as insects, so keep your arms covered.
A Gorilla Adventure in the Rain
Your primary priority should be a rain jacket or fleece! It rains practically every day in Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park. I’ve seen some travelers make do with a cheap poncho… Really helpful. Please bring a light jacket with you here.
Long Pants Or Trousers
For A Rwanda / Uganda Gorilla Trek Long pants, you have clearly read it!! Short pants are not permitted in this location! We do not advocate wearing jeans because everything here gets soaked!! am sure you wouldn’t appreciate those big weary wet jeans while you look out for the gorillas. The quick-dry pants are fantastic! You will be completely safe from branches, nettles, and thorns.
What Shoes Should You Wear When Tracking Gorillas?
Because you need to cover above the ankle, we propose boots. There is some deep muck as you journey through the dense woodlands. You may get knee-high rubber wellies called gum boots in Uganda or Rwanda. Hiking boots are recommended for the steep terrain, which might be dense with vines depending on which gorilla family you visit. Even gorilla rangers in Uganda and Rwanda will be wearing rubber boots, known locally as gum boots…so forget about sandals, stylish white sneakers, or trendy shoes; they will not survive the bush, my friend! Keep in mind that the boots should be low in weight for stability on steep hills, as well as support and traction. Please keep in mind that if you do not use the proper shoes, you risk injuring yourself by sliding all over the place.