What to Wear Gorilla Trekking on a Safari in Uganda or Rwanda

Packing and Wearing the Right Clothing for your Gorilla Trek in Uganda or Rwanda

 What to wear Gorilla Trekking – What to pack and bring for your Gorilla Trek in Uganda or Rwanda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one principal destination in Uganda where to trek gentle giants from. Let’s not forget Bwindi means Impenetrable. So with the fact that in reality, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is extra/particularly impenetrable, implying that one has to be more than ready for the Gorilla Tracking Venture. Being and getting ready means packing and wearing clothing, footwear, hat, socks that will safeguard you from Nettles, Thorns, Branches, Pesky flies, Soldier ants, Spiders and so on, on your Gorilla trek activity or Gorilla Habituation Experience.

What to wear Gorilla Trekking in Uganda – Rwanda? Dressing for your Rwanda Gorilla Trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park/ Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the same. Though the landscape differs from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the clothing recommended for Gorilla Tracking activity is all the same. When embarking on a one of a kind Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda – the same clothing applies, except you might need 3 ltrs of water and more energy snacks for you.

What to Pack & What to wear Gorilla Trekking in Uganda – Rwanda:

Various and several trekkers /tourists do dress inappropriately when embarking on the Gorilla Trekking activity and that is one of the biggest mistake if I may say. Take an example of this, some will put on sandals (one man wore Flip and Flops, and it took two porters to help him), others decide to wearing shorts, wear a T-Shirt, carry no day pack, no water, etc.

Remember embarking on a Gorilla trekking activity is not having a walk in the park. It is mostly an energetic/vigorous hike. The right Gorilla Gears will make Gorilla Trekking quiet an easier activity for you.

When getting ready, packing for your Gorilla Trek, have in mind that Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & Volcanoes National Park are at highly raised, therefore it colder at night, so we propose you pack a sweater or a light rain jacket. You are not possibly hiking on relaxed/calm paths. Still, small trails or “no trails at all,” some of them recently burnt by the Rangers, you have to wear the right clothing for your defence therefore against thorns, nettles, underbrush, insects involving soldier ants, flies and at infrequent times even wasps.

Embarking on a Gorilla Trekking activity implies rightfully dressing for the occasion and the event is a Gorilla Trek, such an unforgettable Experience for most. It is fine to wear the right stuff for your defence or as Ugandans say in Ugandan English (Uglish) – Dressing Smart.

Much as you are in the Tropics, you are in Equatorial Africa, but then this is not a sandy beach on the Island of Zanzibar, this is not just a walk in Central Park in NYC, No, you are in reality in a Rain-forest Jungle in the Heart of Africa, so being dressed/wearing the right Gear for tracking the Gorillas of the Forest comes down to you being reasonably relaxed. That lets you/enables you to concentrate on the trek, and the gentle giants (Mountain Gorillas) and not the uneasiness of aching feet, bug or nettle stings.

As a Gorilla Safari Tour Operator, we speak from skill reliant on our treks & those of our Customers.  The Happiest Gorilla Trekkers are those that dress appropriately for the activity and carry/bring the right Stuff.

Pack right – Here are our recommendations as to “What to wear Gorilla Trekking in Uganda – Rwanda.”

Waterproof Hiking Boots:

A pair of waterproof hiking boots are recommended. The traces could be slimy in the early mornings, most especially if it rains. The Wardens/Rangers that are on the path daily, most often put on gumboots. Yes, water proof boots are their footwear of selection. You do not spot any of them wearing sandals, white sneakers, or other footwear that will not be of great help on the trail.

The Plus about Wellies – Rubber Boots: These do shield you up to almost your knees, easy to clean up and give you a grip/pull if they have soles with tread on them. Most stewards/Rangers & Trackers use them. Some trekkers have greatly begun to use them either because they did not bring the right Footwear, while others have admired the extra protection.

These boots (Hiking boots) provide you an outstanding ankle support, traction, steadiness and balance, all imperative while Gorilla Tracking and don’t forget good, thick socks.  For extra defence/shield/ protection, you can possibly tuck in your trousers into your socks and shield yourself against insects such as ants.

Clothing – Long-Trousers-Long-Sleeved Shirts:

Long Trousers which can be in form of jeans, khaki zip-up trousers, either way but they have gotten to be long-sleeved.  A long-sleeved shirt is also advisable. Both shield you against Nettles, branches, thorns & anything else that can scratch you. Tuck in your pants into your socks to safeguard yourself from fire ants, it may not look stylish, but it is practical.

Several Gorilla Trekkers will neglect this advice and instead wear shorts and tank-tops, look at their bare skin at the end of the gorilla trek, and you will notice scratches and nettle burns. It is far much better to cover yourself up with a long-sleeved shirt, trousers / jeans.  Shorts might be on your mind or a Tank Top, stick to our recommendations and trust me you will be glad you did. Cotton undergarments will keep you relaxed, and women love to pick relaxed bras for a hike that can be tough.

Sturdy Gardening Gloves:

Yes, you need these Gloves not necessarily meaning that you are going to do gardening, No, but they enable you to pull yourself up on vines, branches &do not get scratched or hurt. And yes, nettles are also there and they cause a lot of uneasiness if you get in contact with them. Gardening Gloves avoid that. Those that use them are quite pleased that they did since you often go off of the trace and enter the jungle where the gentle giants(gorillas) are to spend your hour with them. You can carry your gloves with you and take them off when you are with the mountain gorillas to take have photos. Gardening Gloves.

Wear a Hat:

This Hat safeguards/shields your head from the elements like it could be sun or rain, so a wide-overflowed hat is fine for protection against the sun. At the least, put on/ wear a baseball cap, but it does not shield your neck against the tropical sun that comes out after the morning fog has lifted in the mountains.

You do not really buy/need an expensive Tilley Hat, a wonderful wide-overflowed hat will do, and you can put it on even while on the plane flying to Uganda/ Rwanda. The other is a baseball hat or buying a hat in Uganda or Rwanda, and there is a array obtainable in local markets, involving Craft Markets.

Wear a Hat – you will be glad that you did by the end of the Gorilla Trek.

Light Rain-Jacket:

Remember you are trekking mountain Gorillas in the Rain-forest, most probably in the morning, there is that “Gorillas in the Mist” feel to it all where a rain jacket comes in close.

Rain Forest also implies that in spite of you coming in the Peak-Season Months of the year, it can rain at any time, after all, you are in a Tropical Rain-forest, and at times it does rain for a hex in the morning, and the sun appears out every day to dry the ground.

A Cloak can also be used and is often worn by Wardens/Rangers, Trackers & Porters, but then use a light one that you can be able to fold or roll up and put into your Day-pack that you have carried until the time that you will make good use of it.

You are in a rainforest, and there is that morning Gorilla Mist – Rains usually come at night or early in the morning.

A Sweater for Cool Nights and Early Mornings:

A sweater is highly recommended for purposes of being warmed, much as Luxury & high class Lodges here do offer fireplaces in the rooms or bungalows for your cosiness.

Now it gets cold here especially at night, in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park/Forest, the temperature can go as low as 11°C/52°. Near Volcanoes National Park(Rwanda) /Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (0°C/50°F), even lower at times. That for Tropical, Equatorial Africa is cool. For tourists to the area, it may just feel right.

Even though you are near to the equator, it might necessities you to bring a sweater or cardigan. That is for the same reason that several lodges offer you a hot water bottle for your cosiness as you go to sleep while exclusive lodges have a fireplace in your bungalow or room for your suitability.

Yes, carry a Sweater or Sweatshirt Gorilla Trekking and keep comfortable.

 

Wear Lots of Insect Repellent:

Wear lots of Insect Repellent, and a right DEET product is perfect for Gorilla Trekking.  If you chain a Savannah Park, we recommend RID, which you can purchase online and is made in Australia.

Currently it is not sold in North-America, which makes it a bit tougher to get, but that energy is well worth it. While involved in Gorilla Trekking you come across flies, there are no mosquitoes here but pesky flies.

But also only wearing an insect, good repellent completes the job.  You will also have to apply sunblock to your body that is bare.

If you are on a Gorilla Habituation Experience which occupies/takes a full-day trek, carry the spray along with you in your day-pack, be sure to put it into a zip lock bag since it has some DEET in it

The Extra things to have for your Gorilla Trek:

Waterproof Day pack

You will need a wonderful waterproof day pack in which you can pack what you are going to carry along for your trek. Wrap Camera Equipment in Ziploc Bags or Shower Cap to safeguard it, small first aid kit with Band-Aids, insect repellent during the day, there may be a lot of flies at your disposal. Unless you are a birder but Binoculars will not be necessary.

Your packed lunch and at least 2 ltrs of drinking water, some granola or energy bars may come close. On a Gorilla Habituation Experience, you will have to carry 3 ltrs of water.

Also do carry a light rain jacket/ poncho ,remember you are tracking Gorillas in a rainforest.
Other things to pack may involve a Swiss-Army Knife, First-Aid Kit, Insect Repellent mainly for flies, Sunglasses may come close too and use your Zip lock Bag to cover anything you are trying to shield from water and also to keep the Deet reliant Insect Repellent from spilling in the bag and other items.

 Use a Porter to carry your Day pack:

Porters are readily obtainable both in Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park )& (Mgahinga Gorilla National Park) and Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park).Some feel that it is belittling to use a porter ,not understanding that porters make a good and covered income which enables them pay for their homes, school fees for children, food, medical care,etc.You profit by being free to traffic around and have photos without the weight of the day pack.

Using a porter, it is a win-win state for all, the Porter profits, and you profit.

Porters are obtainable both in Uganda & Rwanda at each Gorilla Trek trail head. In some cases, they have supported people with disabilities on a stretcher like apparatuses to spot the Gentle giants (Mountain Gorillas) of Rwanda & Uganda.

Gorilla Trek Walking Sticks:

Walking Sticks come in most close as you cross the tricky territory while tracking Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda/ Uganda. Several people use the indigenous, tall walking sticks which can be bought and at times, are offered by lodges.

You can also purchase a carved ornate walking stick that you can purchase to take home as a souvenir of your eventful day having spent 1 hr with the Mountain Gorillas of Uganda / Rwanda.
When you buy such a stick, you aid the indigenous economy and help a Ugandan/Rwandan family – once again, a win-win state for all. They make an admirable income, and you take home a souvenir of your Gorilla Trek.

Another Must-Have – Walking Stick

Protecting your Camera and Lenses on a Gorilla Trek:

Those interested to trek Gorillas are always focusing at our “Best Time for Visit for Gorilla Trekking” Page, and here you are now in December during the Peak Season, and yet as you head out on the Trail for your Trek, it is raining.

How you finely shield your Camera Gear – Ziploc Bags, large ones do the job.  There are saleable products on the market that rate a lot more money, but a simple large Ziploc Bag will do the job.  What about Rwanda’s Prohibition on Plastic Bags, if officials spot that you are safeguarding something, like keeping insect repellent in a Ziploc bag they normally permit it since they figure that you will take the bag back with you. The same smears to Camera Equipment Protection.  You can also use a shower cap, yes, a shower cap to shield your camera & lenses.

Gorilla Photography made simple:

Gorilla Trekking when your Luggage is Lost – Plan – B:

You have a predicament, you flew into Kigali/ Entebbe and your luggage is lost, missing, overdue, and your gorilla Trek is starting soon.  Let us give you a Plan- B where you can still relish your Gorilla Trek while we get concerned about getting the missing luggage to you.

Do then wear the Trek Clothing on your flight, involving boots, use carry-on luggage and a day pack & for the most part, you are set for Gorilla Trekking. When you retire from your trek, your luggage most often will be found and there, and you can endure your Trip/Tour in Uganda & Rwanda. Lost Luggage infrequently happens, but it does occur, be ready and does not error/miss out on your Tour.

What to wear while Gorilla Trekking? Simple, follow the above recommendations you might hear from a porter, tracker, ranger, guide – “You are looking smart.” Implying in Uganda/ Rwanda that you have dressed right for the event/occasion, which is your Happenstance/Encounter with the mountain Gorillas (Gentle Giants) of the forest.

Relish your Gorilla Trek in Uganda/ Rwanda by dressing appropriately, dressing smart for the event/activity/occasion, which is Gorilla Trekking. If you endure your safari after Gorilla Trekking and tour Savannah Parks, here is what to wear on such a safari.

We propose that you download our close list that will help you to pack the Right Gorilla Gear for your tremendous time Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.

Well-being & safety is the goal. That implies long trousers& a long-sleeved shirt may seem not the right stuff for hiking on a Trek in Africa.  They do, however, shield you from nettles, thorns, bushes, insects,etc.