What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking

Pack light. You will be carrying your bag through dense forest for anywhere from one to eight hours. A small daypack of 15 to 20 litres is ideal. The essential items to bring are:

• Water — at least 2 litres. Hydration is critical on a forest trek in tropical heat.
• Snacks. Energy bars, nuts, bananas, or dried fruit keep your energy steady. You will not stop at a café.
• Rain jacket or lightweight poncho. Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park sit inside active rainforest — rain can arrive at any moment, even in the dry season.
• Gardening gloves. Thick gloves protect your hands when grabbing roots and branches for balance on steep slopes. This is one of the most underrated items on the packing list.
• Walking poles. Available to hire at the park gate for a small fee. Strongly recommended for the descent, which is often steeper and muddier than the climb.
• Camera. Flash photography is strictly prohibited near the gorillas. Bring extra batteries or a fully charged power bank — you will want every shot.
• DEET insect repellent. The forest has biting insects. Apply to all exposed skin before you start.
• Small first aid kit. Plasters, pain relief, and blister treatment for minor issues on the trail.
• Sunscreen. For open sections of the trail before you enter the canopy.

Leave anything heavy behind. Your hotel or camp will store luggage while you trek.

What to Wear for Gorilla Trekking

Clothing is as important as footwear. The right choices protect you from insects, mud, scratches, and unpredictable weather.

• Long-sleeved shirt. Lightweight but full-coverage. Neutral colours — olive, khaki, grey, or brown — are best. Bright colours are discouraged in the forest.
• Long trousers. Tuck them into your socks before you enter the forest. Safari ants — which can move silently up your leg before you notice — deliver an extremely painful bite. Tucked trousers are your first defence.
• Thick hiking socks, worn over trouser bottoms. This is the standard practice and it works. Do not skip it.
• Waterproof ankle-support hiking boots. This is the single most important item of clothing. The terrain is steep, uneven, and often wet. Boots must be broken in well before your trip — new boots on gorilla trekking day are a serious blister risk.
• Gaiters. Cover the gap between boot top and trouser leg. Many experienced trekkers consider gaiters essential; they keep out mud, ants, and small debris.
• Lightweight hat. For sun protection on exposed ridge sections.

Shorts, sandals, and sleeveless tops are not permitted in the forest. Your ranger will ask you to cover up at the briefing point if you arrive inappropriately dressed.

Fitness Requirements

You do not need to be an athlete to go gorilla trekking, but you do need a reasonable level of fitness. Treks range from one hour to a full day depending on where the gorilla family has moved since dawn. The terrain is steep, slippery, and dense — there is no flat path.

If you do not walk regularly, begin training six to eight weeks before departure. Daily 45-minute walks on hilly terrain are sufficient preparation. Focus on ascending and descending gradient, not flat distance — it is the steep sections that tire most trekkers.

Porters are available at all trekking points and are highly recommended. A porter carries your daypack, steadies you on difficult sections, and provides direct income to the local community surrounding the park. Anyone over 60, anyone with joint concerns, and anyone who wants extra support should hire a porter. There is no stigma — even experienced trekkers use them.

Health Requirements

Mountain gorillas share approximately 98% of human DNA, making them highly susceptible to human respiratory diseases. The rules below are strictly enforced to protect the gorillas:

• Minimum age is 15 years. Children under 15 are not permitted on gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda.
• Do not trek if you are unwell. A cold, flu, cough, or respiratory illness is grounds for exclusion on the day. Your ranger will ask you not to proceed. If you feel ill, inform your operator immediately — permits can often be rescheduled rather than forfeited.
• Face masks must be worn during the gorilla visit. Wearing a surgical or N95 mask for the entire one-hour visit with the gorillas is mandatory and strictly enforced by rangers.
• Keep a minimum distance of 7 metres from the gorillas at all times. Rangers enforce this and will reposition your group if needed.
• Yellow Fever vaccination is required for entry to both Uganda and Rwanda. Carry your Yellow Card as proof — you may be asked to show it at the border or airport.
• Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Both Uganda and Rwanda have malaria risk. Consult a travel health clinic before departure for appropriate medication.

On the Day

Arrive at the briefing point 30 minutes before the scheduled 7:30 am start. Briefings begin on time and latecomers may miss their allocation. Eat a proper breakfast before you leave your accommodation — trekking on an empty stomach leads to fatigue far faster than most people expect. Bring your gorilla permit, passport, and Yellow Fever card to the gate.

Your guide will assign your group to a gorilla family based on fitness level. If you have any mobility concerns or health issues, mention them clearly at the briefing. Rangers and guides work hard to match groups to appropriate routes and distances, and they would rather know in advance than have a problem on the trail.