What to wear for Gorilla Trekking
Guide on what to wear for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, best clothes to pack for the gorilla trekking adventure? What should I wear during a gorilla tour? Details of recommended clothes for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda with Superfine Safaris Limited. Whether you intend to visit Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo to engage in gorilla trekking, knowledge on what to pack for gorilla trekking is essential. Clothes for gorilla trekking aren’t usual, unlike city events. Your dressing code is crucial when it comes to gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga, or Volcanoes National Park. Explore a complete guide to gorilla trekking clothes to pack, plus other equipment or gear to make your planning for this primate adventure a success.
What to wear for gorilla trekking
Long-sleeved shirts
Long-sleeved shirts are essential to be considered on your packing list for gorilla trekking. The checklist of gorilla trekking clothes shouldn’t miss having long-sleeved shirts. Why long-sleeved shirts? Having long-sleeved shirts is essential as they help protect your hands from scratches from falling tree branches, thorns, and nettles. The recommended long-sleeved shirts to have should be lightweight and fast-drying material.
The fast-drying material long-sleeved shirts are essential, considering the nature of the habitat/destination where gorilla trekking is done. The weather conditions can change anytime and heavy clothes may take a long to get dry yet they are needed for your adventure.
Short-sleeved shirts are ideal for city tours. But when it comes to a thrilling adventure like gorilla trekking, they shouldn’t be part of your packing list. Short-sleeved shirts can expose you to several things, including thorns and itchy plants.
Trousers
A pair of trousers or more are required during a gorilla trek. Long trousers are recommended as they can be tucked into the socks to prevent any crawling insects from accessing your legs. Don’t wear shorts for your gorilla trekking adventure.
Long pants
Long safari pants should be considered on your list of clothes for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo. They are essential in shielding your legs when you bump into an area with thorns, muddy ground, insect-infested areas, and other environmental conditions. When choosing the pants to pack, it is always important to consider the fast-drying attire to enable you to continue with your journey.
A safari hat
When you think about gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo, first, you must understand the weather conditions of the destination you intend to visit. A safari hat is required on the list of gorilla trekking clothes to pack. The safari hat is valuable to protect your head from the hot sunshine. It should be available whether you plan to visit Volcanoes or Bwindi this coming season for gorilla trekking.
A sweater
A good sweater is needed to keep you warm during the cold hours. A sweater is required, especially during the morning hours when you are expected at the park offices for briefing. In the evening, it can also get cold and a sweater is essential.
A rain jacket
A fast-drying and waterproof rain jacket/poncho is needed for the gorilla tour. It can protect you when it starts raining. A lightweight and waterproof rain jacket material is essential to help you enjoy your adventure without worries about getting wet. Your rain jacket should also have a hood and ventilation zippers to enable temperature regulation.
A pair of socks
A pack of socks is needed for gorilla trekking. Take note that socks are required as you can be required to tuck in your trousers to prevent insects from accessing your legs. Get fast-drying socks and should be long.
A pack of underwear
The number of underwear to carry may vary depending on the length of gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda. Long gorilla safaris require more underwear compared to short tours. When choosing the underwear to put on, consider the ones that can dry faster. Underwear is essential for your own hygiene purposes.
Gardening gloves
A pack of gardening gloves is needed to protect you from insect bites, cold temperatures, thorny vegetation, itchy plants, and other occurrences. You should have lightweight and breathable gloves.
Facemasks
A pack of facemasks is essential to protect against the spread of infectious diseases to gorillas. Get yourself breathable masks that can cover the mouth and nose.
Essential tips to consider when choosing what to pack
When considering clothes to carry for gorilla trekking, first, avoid bright-colored clothes. Wearing bright or shouting-colored clothes can make gorillas get scare away.
Avoid perfumes/colognes because they attract insects, and in the end, they can irritate gorillas.
Cotton clothes are good but the disadvantage with them is that they can easily absorb moisture and also take longer to dry.
Avoid wearing short-sleeved shirts or shorts as you get exposed to insect bites, scratches, thorny and itchy plants.
Additional equipment to carry
A successful gorilla safari also requires you to pack the right gear/equipment. In addition to clothes, you also need a good camera, energy giving snacks, a first aid kit or medical kit, insect repellents, toiletries, a daypack, and more.
