Gorilla Trekking is a life-changing experience and each day of venturing into the jungles is thrilling and aha moments happen all the time with our clients. However, undertaking this activity involves bracing up for the depths of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks of Uganda, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park or Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The dense forests occupied by mountain gorillas are evidently never-ending thicket of ensnared lush green with no established paths or even signs for directions. To reach previous nights’ gorilla nests, travellers are required to be up early and with the guidance of armed Park Rangers who routinely follow the directions and footsteps of trackers. Your Guide creates paths through the dense jungle with machetes while detecting as well as tracking the trails of these Great Apes from their previous place of spotting. This is done while following several traces that include broken or bent vegetation, foot and hand prints as well as leftovers of what the mountain gorillas had eaten. Interestingly, each small detail is properly looked into as trackers establish the direction of Mountain gorillas.
Walking through the jungles also involve hiking up and down mountain slopes in trying to get to the Great Apes, often described as thrilling and life-changing because travellers uncover some of the most remarkable places on Earth. Because it is usually difficult to tell in advance how far the mountain gorillas have ventured from their previous day of sighting or which path they will follow. For this reason, maximum patience is required in trying to find these endangered Giant Apes in their natural habitat. Your first sighting of mountain gorillas will undeniably be unforgettable with one hour of photography and watching of wild gorillas. From your interaction, you will discover that these creatures are actually calm and peaceful, unlike how they are always portrayed.
Before we delve into the packing list for gorilla trekking, the first thing that you shouldn’t forget is your gorilla trekking permit, acquired directly through the issuing Agency (Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rwanda Development Board or Institut Congolais de Conservation de la Nature). Given the protected nature of Bwindi, Mgahinga, Volcanoes and Virunga National Parks, the local Governments thought it wise to introduce gorilla trekking permits as a way of controlling or deterring visitors from flocking the different safari destinations.
This is mainly done as a way of conserving the mountain gorilla natural environment as well as reducing any possible overexposure of these Great Apes to humans, in addition to carrying on with funding of Gorilla Conservation efforts. This coupled with their uniqueness and exceptionality has brought about high demand for gorilla trekking permits, way higher than the supply.
For each of the 21 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National parks, 8 gorilla trekking permits are issued each day thus making it only about 168 permits available for every single day. These cost $700 per person for the foreign non-residents, $600 for the foreign residents and Shs. 250,000 for the East African Citizens. The permits in Rwanda go for $1500 per person, allowing access to one of the 12 habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park. Below is the recommended packing list for gorilla trekking;
Covid-19 protection
Given the prevalence of Covid-19 at the time of writing, travellers planning to undertake gorilla trekking are advised to pack at least two cloth or surgical masks, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and most importantly a negative PCR test certificate for the past 72 hours prior to visiting the country.
Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
Downpours within gorilla natural habitats (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Congo’s Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda) are surprisingly unpremeditated and very unpredictable, thus packing a lightweight and breathable rain jacket will save you a lot of discomfort while trekking for mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. There is nothing more disturbing and uncomfortable than walking through the jungles in wet underwear.
While the Gorilla Parks experience rains throughout the year, some months-June to September and December to February receive slightly lower downpours compared to the traditional wet months of March to May and again October to November. Therefore regardless of season, make sure that you pack the rain jacket to avoid last minute surprises. It should be breathable to avoid getting trapped in body heat while hiking mountains and go for brown, khaki and green colors that can easily blend into the natural environment.
Long safari pants and long-sleeved shirts
Skin protection is fundamental while trekking mountain gorillas in their natural environments. Anyone who has visited the jungle before will agree that it is not considerate of your delicate skin and because of this, make sure that you have long sleeved shirts to cover your hands as well as safari pants for protecting your legs from scratches and insect bite. Make sure that whatever you pack is lightweight and breathable. Additionally, make sure that your clothing is neutral-colored to properly blend into the natural environment.
Energy giving snacks
Snacks are important for keeping energized while hiking through the gorilla natural habitats, because you never know how long you will take searching for the Giant Apes. For this reason, a healthy snack is important for keeping you energized throughout the adventure. You have to carry healthy ones like dried fruits, samosa, nuts and seeds, healthy crisps, apples, and many others. Your group Ranger guides will schedule some short snack breaks, and always keep in mind that littering the forest is prohibited as well as eating and drinking in the presence of the Mountain gorillas.
Keep in mind that mountain gorilla treks last from half an hour to 6 hours or more, thus the reason physical fitness is recommended. You will however need to be energized while searching for the mountain gorillas.
Gardening gloves
It is agreeable that the Ranger guides will try their level best in creating paths through the jungles with machetes but you will also be required to hold into branches and leaves while trying to hike. Therefore to avoid scratches and prickles, it is important to pack gardening gloves. Not only that, it also helps in avoiding any dangerous organisms on surfaces which you touch while trekking in the jungles.
Strong hiking boots
The Hiking boots are handy for keeping you dry while hiking through the dumpy, muddy and slippery floors of the forest. Remember that the forest sometimes becomes very dump in addition to lacking designated forest trails and the activity also involves maneuvering through mountain slopes with rugged terrains. For this reason travellers will be required to have stamina while putting foots forward. Additionally, your chosen footwear should have thick sole, rainproof and with ample ankle support. Additionally, don’t forget gaiters of 20 to 30 centimeters to prevent pebbles, insects, dust and water from sneaking into your hiking boots.
However for travellers without gaiters will be asked by Park Rangers to tuck safari pants into the long socks as a way of keeping insects from sneaking into pants.
Waterproof daypack
You will need something for carrying your camera, binoculars, rain jacket, snacks, lunch box, water bottle, sunglasses and other required items without getting them wet and therefore a waterproof backpack is important to protecting these items from forest mist or downpours.
Environmentally-friendly insect repellant
Having dressed up well for the gorilla trekking adventure, it is still important to keep the irritating bugs at bay and at this point, the insect repellant come in handy. Just remember that gorilla trekking takes place in the jungles and therefore you should expect a wide range of insects that are determined to make your trek uncomfortable. Spray one or two punches of Deet on your skin or clothing before setting out in the jungle, during Campfires or while relaxing outdoors.
Camera plus extra batteries and memory space
The Camera is one of the must-have items during gorilla trekking tours, for recording gorilla encounters for remembrance of these once-in-a-lifetime memories as well as showing people back home. To avoid last minute disappointments, it is also advisable to pack extra batteries, camera charger and make sure that you have extra memory card or flash drive.
Safari hat or bandana
Travellers with long hair are advised to always cover their heads, to prevent hair from getting stuck in tree branches or better still being filled with rubbish from the jungles. Hair Bandana is handy for this case, although safari hat is more preferable for covering the hair while at the same time ensuring protection against the scotching sunshine.
Toiletries and first aid kit
Toiletries and first aid kit should also be packed for gorilla trekking and in this case items like hair combs, hand and body lotion, wet wipes, biodegradable tissue paper, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clips, bandages, anti-malarial tablets, tweezers, sanitary towels for female gorilla treks, to mention but a few.
Additionally, your packing for gorilla trekking should include a swimsuit, pajamas, long cotton socks, flashlight, sunglasses and sunscreen for sun protection, to mention but a few.