What to bring and wear for gorilla trekking

JUAN MARTINEZ

June 7, 2022

What to bring and wear for gorilla trekking

Rain jacket, double socks, boots, and lots of water – here is the ultimate guide on what you need to pack and wear for gorilla trekking tours in East and Central Africa.

Going on a gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of Congo is not a walk in the park. The climate is humid and hot, as well half of the plants and small animals around can bite, scratch, or poison your skin.

It is an adventure of a lifetime. Still, it is an adventure that involves going deep into the rainforest and getting ready for everything ahead. From scrambling over trees and rocks to cutting through vines with a machete, this is an experience to remember and be better prepared before.

hiking in uganda searching gorillas — ***Hiking in Uganda searching for gorillas***

Packing light and efficient

I have to confess. It took me several tours to master my packing list for a gorilla trekking in Africa. I took too many unnecessary things on my first trip and left a couple of essential items. On the second trek, I took way less than what I needed, and for the third and final trip, I was finally comfortable at all times.

Additionally, I was surprised to see several couples wearing designer clothes and fancy hats on the trip. They looked like actors in one Indiana Jones or The Mummy, which could look nice on your Instagram Stories. However, after a four-hour hike into the jungle, I can tell you that leather vests and suspenders are two of the few accessories you will need.

***The most simple and perfect gorilla trekking attire is a rain jacket, long sleeve shirt, pants and hiking boots***

What to wear during a gorilla trekking

Like any other medium-hard trek around the world, keep it light and simple. Wear only what is essential for the trip and carry anything you might need for an emergency.

Waterproof hiking boots are a must, and being fully covered is key to surviving in these tropical conditions. Yes, it seems obvious to wear a t-shirt and shorts with the hot temperature. Unfortunately, everything in the forest will scratch you, and the less your skin is exposed, the more comfortable you will feel.

Additionally, wearing two pairs of long thick socks can save you from time to time. Fire ants roam everywhere in the jungle, and once you step in the wrong place, they will crawl into your foot and enter your shoes.

I met a guy wearing short socks and tight pants during the gorilla trekking. Multiple times he was extremely uncomfortable because of the fire ants or poison ivy touching his skin.

INSIDER INFO:
Do not wear glasses during the gorilla trekking. Your glasses will be foggy half of the walk and while spending time with the gorillas (because of the mask you have to wear). I made that mistake during my first trek, and it was the most uncomfortable part of the whole experience. Wear contact lenses at all times, and bring your sunglasses if you need them.

Clothing packing list for gorilla trekking

Long-sleeve
shirt or a regular shirt
An
extra-long-sleeve shirt in case of heavy rain
Long
trousers (hiking trousers are a plus)
Waterproof
hiking boots
Two
pairs of socks that you wear at the same time
A
light rain jacket
Headband
or hair ties (in case you have long hair)

Other optional accessories are:

Sunglasses
A
hat (however, the jungles of Uganda and Rwanda are pretty deep, and you will be
barely under the sun)
A
sweater in case it’s cold
Gloves
for protecting your hands against thorns or poison ivy

NOTE: It is also recommended to wear khaki or dark clothing colors. You will be able to blend better with the natural environment and won’t scare the gorillas.

What to carry during a gorilla trekking

Now that you have the proper clothing, it is essential to know what you need to carry.

Lasting anything between two hours to seven hours, enough water and food are essentials for your gorilla trekking. But don’t worry. Your guide will remind you at all times.

What your guide will probably forget to tell you is to bring some mosquito repellent, sun cream, a handkerchief to clean your sweat, and a first aid kit.

Here is a complete list of everything that you need in your backpack during a gorilla trekking:

At least 2 liters of water
A light lunch box (you will be only able to eat once at a designated site)
A basic first aid kit (painkillers, diarrhea tablets, band-aids)
One handkerchief
Sun cream and mosquito repellent
Power bank

You can hire porters who can carry your backpack and support you - wear gorilla trekking — ***You can hire porters who can carry your backpack and support you***

In case you are bringing a professional camera to take photographs of the gorillas, this is my recommendation as a professional photographer.

One medium-range lens (50-80 mm)
One ultra-telephoto lens (150-600 mm) – this was my most used lens during the trek
2-3 additional batteries
Power bank with an adapter to charge batteries in case they run out of energy

Additional accessories like tripods, timers, filters, and raining coats won’t be necessary.

Drones are forbidden in most national parks in Africa, and flying a drone without proper authorization can lead to very hefty fines.

Photographing gorillas from a minimum distance — ***You can only photograph gorillas from a minimum distance of 10 meters***

Planning a trip to Uganda independently is fun. However, if you want to arrange everything with tour operators beforehand from the comfort of your home. SafariBookings is the best platform for it.

They have the largest database of tour operators in Africa and you can simply send a request and negotiate a tour and a price directly with the operator. You don’t have to pay any additional fees.

These are some of the most popular tours in Uganda at SafariBookings