What Clothes to Wear on Mountain Gorilla tracking safari?
Clothes to wear on mountain gorilla tracking, Gorilla tracking is done in impenetrable forests, at an altitude of 1,160m – 2,607m above sea level, while finding the right clothes for your tracking safari to Uganda or Rwanda is not so hard, but it’s equally important to remember that this is Africa and the mountain gorillas live the Bwindi Forest or the Volcanoes in Rwanda where the weather is very unpredictable where it almost rains every now and then. So you can imagine the steep and often slippery hills you get the idea. A denim shirt is recommended, or something long enough to cover your arms from the wild plants and anticipated bush thorns, remember you wake up early to the mist or morning chill, insects and so you need to have your arms covered to avoid scratches.
Rain Jacket On A Gorilla Safari
A Rain Jacket should be on your top priority as, it rains almost all the time here in Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park. Please consider carrying a light weight jacket for just in case.
Long Pants or Trousers On A Rwanda-Uganda Gorilla Trek
Long pants only this area short ones not, We do not recommend jeans since everything here gets wet, am sure you wouldn’t love those bulky tiring wet jeans as you look out for the gorillas. The quick dry pants are recommended you will have guaranteed protection from branches, nettles and the thorns.
What Shoes to Put On While on A Track
We recommend boots for foot wear, since you need to cover above the ankle. There are some deep mud as you trek in the impenetrable forests. In Uganda or Rwanda, you can ask for knee-high rubber wellies, called gum boots. Hiking boots are good for the steep terrain sometimes full of vines depending on the gorilla family which you are visiting. Even the gorilla rangers in Uganda and Rwanda will be covered in rubber boots, locally called the gum boots, please do not think about the sandals, cool white sneakers or trendy shoes, they just wont survive the forest, Take note that the boots should be light weight for the sake of stability on the steep hills as well as support and traction. Please note that when you do not put on the recommended shoes, its easy to hurt yourself by sliding all over.
Anything woolen is cool socks is fine.
Covering Hands
Usually building gloves are the best,you can as well try the gardening gloves particularly made of cotton. Please note that these must be padded on the fingers and palms, sometimes you have to cling unto those wet vines!
Enough water
Minimum of 2 litres of drinking water to avoid dehydration. Carry four just in case the hike proofs longer than expected. Sometimes it can be 8 hours.
Binoculars.
If you are interested in birds, you can bring Field guide to birds of East Africa by Fanshawe and a pair of binoculars.
Summary of Packing List
Lightweight raincoat
- Hiking boots
- Cap/hat
- Sweater (chilly evenings)
- Camera (no flash)
- Waterproof plastic bag (to wrap your camera and film in)
- Putting on the right clothing to see the mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda is always necessary if you are to have the maximum fun while visiting the gorillas. you should be well equipped to have the gorilla trekking experience in Africa.WHERE DOES MOUNTAIN GORILLA TRACKING TAKES PLACE?, Mountain Gorilla tracking takes place at altitudes of about 2000 Meters above sea level in areas like, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mugahinga National park in Uganda.These mountainous areas experience a modified equatorial climate, which is kind of moist and often cooler. The grounds are usually wet and the paths are full of stinging plants-nettles. Besides, the rains are random.
