What should be packed on mountain gorilla trekking safari
What should be packed on mountain gorilla trekking safari?
Clothing & Shoes
Long-Sleeved Shirt or Jacket – Treks begin early in the morning, and you may be chilly at the start of your trek. Depending on the time of year, you may want long sleeves during the entirety of your trek. In addition to warmth, long sleeves are helpful for protecting your arms against stinging nettles or branches.
Short-Sleeved Shirt – Dressing in layers is a good idea. The day involves strenuous activity in the humid jungle, and you may want to shed your outer layers. (I know that I did!)
Long Pants – You will be encountering thick vines, fallen trees, and scratchy brush, and you will want to have protection on your legs. I found thick leggings to be ideal pants for the trek because they allowed me to move freely while still covering my legs.
Long Socks – Keeping the biting “safari ants” out of your pants is important! Your guide will instruct you to tuck your pants into your socks, and tall socks are best for this task.
Hiking Shoes – Shoes with a good grip are a must. The terrain can be difficult to navigate, including thick vines, slippery rocks, patches of mud, and more. If your shoes are waterproof, the entire better
Rain Jacket – The national parks where the mountain gorillas live are largely rain forest, and it can rain unexpectedly.
Gloves – I didn’t hike with gloves, but other members of my group did. After I scraped my hands and accidentally grabbed a stinging plant, I wished that I had gloves as well.
Toiletries & Medicine
Malaria Pills – This is the exception to my earlier note: you don’t actually need to bring your malaria pills with you on the hike, but I wanted to include them as a reminder. All of the four national parks where you can track the mountain gorillas are located in malarial zones, and you should discuss options to safeguard yourself from malaria with your doctor.
Insect Repellant – Malaria aside, being bitten by mosquito is no fun and can ruin your experience.
Toilet Paper – It goes without saying that there are no toilets in the jungle. Remember that you must leave the forest with everything that you brought into it, so you may want to bring a plastic bag for this purpose.
Equipments
Camera – For capturing the moment
Binoculars – To watch and spot them from afar
Documents & Money
Documentation – You should come prepared with any documentation or numbers related to your gorillas tracking permit.
Passport – Don’t forget to bring your passport, as you will need to show it when you check in for the trek.
Local Currency – Remember to tip your guide! Local currency is also useful if you decide you want to hire a porter or want to purchase souvenirs.
Additional
Water – Bring as much water as you can carry. Staying hydrated is important.
– Pair of sports sandals like Tevas
– Hat-wide brim or with a visor for sun protection
– Underwear
– Swimsuit (and a plastic bag)
– Sunglasses with neck strap
– Flashlight
– Extra batteries
– Camera and extra lenses
– Small notebook
First Aid Kit including re hydration sachets, anti-diarrhea medicine, aspirin, cold medication, antiseptic cream, band-aids, motion sickness pills, lip balm, eye drops and personal medication.
