What to Pack for a Gorilla Trek in Uganda

Gorilla tracking is an attracting experience in Uganda, which has highly contributed to the high number of safaris in Uganda as the tourists come from different destinations to see these fascinating animals. The Gorillas are found in Mgahinga National Park, Uganda’s smallest park and Bwindi impenetrable national park which qualify Uganda as a tourist destination.

Tourists need a variety of things to ensure that they have a great experience while on a gorilla trekking safari and these include, porters, walking stick, plastic bags, insect body sprays, water bottles, energy giving snacks, cotton gloves, hat, hiking boots, sun glasses, rain jacket, long sleeved shirt or blouse, cameras and extra batteries, a pair of binoculars.

Hiking boots

Tourists need the light weight hiking boots due to the nature and altitude of the forests when trekking in the search of the endangered species, either in bwindi impenetrable forest or Mgahinga Gorilla Park. The boots help the tourists to pass through the slippery areas without difficulty in case it rains hence getting a good Gorilla tracking experience.

Cotton gloves.

The tourist will require good cotton gloves to protect their hands during the Gorilla tracking exercise. The gloves are needed in case it gets slippery and the tourist needs to hold onto some plants or trees for stability. The gloves also help in case climbing a tree is necessary and also protect the tourists from germs and others that may scratch and infect the hands.

Long trousers and sleeved shirt or blouse.

Tourists are required to have long sleeved shirts and trousers for the Gorilla tracking activity and they are to ensure that the trousers are tucked in the hiking boots to avoid bites from insects such as ants, and the long sleeved shirts are to help avoid the small insects and scratches on the arms. Jean and kachi trousers are advised to be used due to their hard materials.

Hat and sun glasses.

The tourists are advised to carry with them hats and sun glasses in case it is very hot in order to be protected from the strong sun rays that may cause an uncomfortable tour. Though the hats and sun glasses are optional, they may be of good help for those who cannot stand the strong sunshine.

Rain Jacket.

This is needed by the tourists, most especially during the rainy season to ensure protection from the rain. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a tropical rain forest where rain is received throughout the year hence a rain jacket is needed since the rain is to be expected any time. Though most of the visitors prefer traveling in the drier seasons like the months of June, July, August and the beginning of September and avoid the rainy seasons of March, April and May which most definitely require carrying a rain a jacket.

Water and snacks.

Tourists are advised to carry bottles of water to quench their thirst during the tracking, as the tourists move for some long distance hence taking a lot of time that requires a person to refresh. The visitors are also encouraged to carry some snacks to eat so that they don’t feel hungry which may hinder the tracking pace.

Insect body spray.

This is needed by the tourists to protect themselves from any kind of insects that may attack their health, most especially mosquitoes, flies and others that are common in Uganda.

Plastic bags.

The tourists also need these plastic bags where they are able to keep their property like the cameras that may be spoilt by the rain, most especially in the rainy seasons when there are high chances of it raining.

Walking stick.

Tourists need a walking stick which is usually wooden and long when gorilla trekking, most especially when it has rained to help the visitor stabilise themselves on slippery grounds. These walking sticks are provided at the park at the start of the gorilla tracking activity.

Porters.

This is optional for the tourists but they are advised to carry a potter with them during the Gorilla tracking exercise who may help in directing the tourists on the different parts of the park and also identify the different groups of gorillas hence ensuring the best gorilla tracking experience. The potters are also hired for a fee which helps them to improve on their standards of living.

Cameras and extra batteries.

Photography has proved to be an important component of the safari and thus the tourists are advised to carry cameras and spare batteries for those that may wish to photograph the animals throughout the tracking experience. The visitors are also cautioned to switch off the flash while taking gorilla photographs in order for the gorillas not to be scared away.