What to pack for your gorilla trekking safari.
Things to bring on a gorilla trekking safari Gorilla trekking is an exciting and daring sport that entails walking far into the forest to find mountain gorillas and then spending time with them in their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking can be done in a number of places, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kahuzi Biega National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Because it is home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, which is found in the impenetrable national park of Bwindi, Uganda is the most popular gorilla destination in Africa. Once you have made your reservation, the next thing you need know is what to bring so that you have the necessary supplies for gorilla trekking.
What to bring on your safari that involves gorilla trekking
Boots for hiking
One of the most crucial things to bring on your gorilla trekking safari is this. When trekking in muddy and slippery conditions, hiking boots should be comfortable and light to provide you with appropriate stability, balance, ankle protection, and foot moisture retention.
Shirt with long sleeves and pants
Wearing a long-sleeved shirt and tucking your pants into your socks and hiking boots will keep biting insects out of your pants while you go gorilla trekking. During the rainy season or in the morning, the long-sleeved shirt and pants will keep you warm.
Gloves for gardening
Garden gloves will shield you from germs and plants that could irritate your hands, such nettles, should you slip or come into contact with prickly trees or other itchy plants. Gorilla trekking is done in tropical rainforests, which can be slippery.
A rain jacket that is waterproof
Because gorillas in Africa inhabit tropical rainforests, where it can rain at any time of year, a waterproof rain jacket will shield you from the elements.
Additional batteries and a camera
When embarking on your gorilla trekking safari, make sure your camera is fully charged and bring extra batteries so you can capture as many photos as you can of the mountain gorillas, the landscape, and the stunning scenery in the hour-long trip. You can also capture amazing memories to share with your loved ones back home. To avoid upsetting the gorillas, you should make sure that your camera’s flash is off when you’re taking pictures.
Sunglasses and a cap
In order to protect yourself from intense sun rays, particularly during the dry season, it is crucial to have a hat and sunglasses with you on your gorilla trekking expedition.
A pair of eyeglasses
Because gorilla trekking destinations such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park, and Kahuzi Biega National Park are home to a variety of wildlife species, including birds, animals, and primates like chimpanzees, forest elephants, buffaloes, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and olive baboons, among others, a pair of binoculars will help you see them clearly.
What to pack for a trekking trip
Bringing a meal and drinking water
Depending on where the mountain gorillas reside, gorilla trekking can take anywhere from 30 to 7 hours. Because of this, you may become hungry and exhausted throughout the walk, so it’s a good idea to pack a lunch and drinking water.
A backpack that is waterproof
Your gorilla trekking necessities, including insect repellent, a camera and additional batteries, a packed lunch and water, a rain jacket, a pair of batteries, and hand sanitizer, will all be kept in a waterproof backpack.
A walking stick
When hiking through the dense forest and steep terrain, a walking stick will provide you with stability. Following the briefing, walking sticks are provided free of charge, or you can purchase a higher-quality stick from your hotel.
Repellant for insects
To avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes or tsetse flies, you should use insect repellent before beginning your gorilla trekking adventure.
Face masks and hand sanitizer
Another must-have item for a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda, Uganda, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a face mask and hand sanitizer. The hand sanitizer and face mask are for your protection, the safety of those around you, and the safety of the mountain gorillas because of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Employing a porter
It’s suggested to hire a porter for a nominal price to help carry your back and provide a push or pull because gorilla trekking is exhausting and requires physical fitness. The community, porters’ families, and others benefit from paying for their services. Porters can also assist in carrying the elderly or the disabled.
The most well-liked safari activity that you shouldn’t miss in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is gorilla trekking. You can explore our website for several gorilla trekking packages or get in touch with us at All In Africa Safaris for more information about what to bring on your gorilla trekking safari.
Recommended Tours: 8 Days Congo Gorillas & Nyiragongo Safari | 5 Days Lowland Gorilla Safari Congo
Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is home to two gorilla species found nowhere else together: mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas, Gorilla beringei graueri) in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Virunga National Park – Africa’s oldest national park, established in 1925 – covers 7,900 km² of remarkable ecological diversity, from the volcanic peaks of the Virunga Massif to the glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains and the tropical lowland forests of the Congo Basin. The park is also home to hippos, elephants, okapis, and the entire cast of Congo rainforest wildlife.
Eastern Lowland Gorillas – A Unique Encounter
The eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer’s gorilla) is the world’s largest subspecies of gorilla, with silverbacks weighing up to 220kg. Found only in the DRC, Grauer’s gorillas are considerably rarer than mountain gorillas – their population has declined by more than 70% since the 1990s due to conflict, habitat loss, and poaching. Kahuzi-Biega National Park in South Kivu offers the only reliable trekking experience with habituated Grauer’s gorilla families.
A gorilla permit in the DRC costs USD 400 per person – significantly cheaper than Rwanda (USD 1,500) or Uganda (USD 800). The experience is raw, off-the-beaten-track, and unforgettable for travellers seeking something genuinely uncommon.
Practical Information for DRC Gorilla Trekking
Getting to Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega
The most common entry point to eastern DRC is via Kigali, Rwanda. Goma – the gateway to Virunga National Park – is just 80km from Kigali. Direct flights from Nairobi and Kampala also serve Goma. Bukavu (gateway to Kahuzi-Biega) is accessible from Goma by road (3-4 hours) or by light aircraft.
Is it safe to trek gorillas in the DRC?
Security in eastern DRC is complex and fluctuates. Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega have experienced periods of closure due to armed group activity. Always check current security conditions with your tour operator and your government’s travel advisory before planning a DRC gorilla trek. Reputable operators with established local security networks are essential.
