It has been a challenge to many travelers planning for gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda,to come up with the appropriate clothes and other things to carry when going for gorilla safaris. When planning for a trip to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, there is need to pack relevant gear that could be useful during your trip. One of the essential things to know is a successful gorilla trek requires the right gear and the right preparation. From specific cameras to specific clothes and shoes, one must carry nthe right pack for a gorilla safari in Rwanda.

For so long, potential visitors planning to have face to face encounter with the mountain gorilla have always had many questions about the right things to carry for a gorilla trip such as;

  • What must I take carry for a gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park?
  • What should I wear when trekking gorillas in Rwanda?
  • What camera should i pack for gorilla trekking
  • What are the essential things to carry for a gorilla safari?

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions addressed to tour consultants and travel planners, travel forums like TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet, Tree, Fodors Travel Talk. All these are relevant questions deserve clear answers and here is what you need to know about what to pack for a gorilla tour in Rwanda.

Travelers visiting Rwanda for gorilla watching are encouraged to wear bout shoes which are strong and they must also wear hard trousers plus shirts which are long sleeved and these are recommended in order to avoid or protect trekkers against the dangerous bites of the nettles. Tourist should note that gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in forested areas full of biting insects, thorns, Sharpe sticks, hills which are slippery and all these harm trekkers who move in the forest when searching for mountain gorillas. The Volcanoes national park gorilla destination in Rwanda encourages trekkers to carry long sleeved jersey or sweatshirts. When also planning for gorilla safaris and tours, one should mind of colour of the clothes to wear because mountain gorillas are habituated and hence used to human beings and they are scared by any colour of the cloth. However due to the fact that young gorillas like playing with human beings, bright clothes might not be the best because they will be dirtied by the mountain gorillas.

Tourists trekking gorillas in the Volcanoes Park are also encouraged to put on gardening gloves to help protect them when they slide and also help them remove easily the thorns without injuring themselves. Rwanda Gorillas safaris and tours in the Volcanoes park offers the tourists remarkable experience of having an encounter with the mountain gorillas but this comes from cost of moving in the small trails in the middle of the dark forest full of thorns, Sharp sticks, biking insect among others.All these can cause harm to trekkers and hence to avoid injuries one must bear with the recommended dressing code recommended by the travel agents, professional guides because these are experienced people who have participate in gorilla trekking activities or so long and hence they have enough experience.

Essential Things to Pack

The packing list below is just a mere guideline as you may have your own preferences:-
– 1-2 long sleeved shirts
– 3 short sleeved t-shirts
– 2 –3 pairs of light weight slacks/trousers – that can dry quickly (if wearing on treks)
– 1 pair of shorts
– 1 sweater or sweatshirt
– A waterproof and windproof jacket
– 1 skirt ( for women)
– Gloves – gardening or similar (for gorilla trekking)
– Strong waterproof walking boots – pants should be tucked into socks and boots while trekking
(heavy soled rain boots also work well)
– Pair of sports sandals like Tevas
– Hat-wide brim or with a visor for sun protection
– Sleepwear
– Underwear
– Lightweight wool socks
– Swimsuit (and a plastic bag)

Miscellaneous
– Sunscreen
– Sunglasses with neck strap
– Insect repellent with DEET
– Small day pack
– Flashlight
– Binoculars
– Extra batteries
– Camera and extra lenses
– Film particularly fast film for the gorillas.
– Personal toiletries
– Prescription medicines and possibly prescription itself
– Kleenex tissues
– Small notebook
First Aid Kit including rehydration sachets, anti-diarrhea medicine, aspirin, cold medication, antiseptic cream, band-aids, motion sickness pills, lip balm, eye drops and personal medication.