Packing List for Gorilla Trekking – What to carry on a gorilla safari

While this packing list is recommended for you who are traveling to Rwanda for gorilla trekking and other adventures, you may decide to have your own tastes and preferences regarding what to pack.
Have long sleeved shirts at least 2 or 3 for the weather changes with cold nights and days and I guess you need to stay warm all the time.

• Short sleeved t-shirts are helpful during day light when sun is scotching or in the evening during sunsets.
• Pairs of light weight trousers which can dry quickly that is while trekking it might rain on you when you are still in the forests, light trousers are essential for you when wet they are still light to allow flexible leg movement.
• Pair of shorts that you can put in the evening or during community walks, Sometimes tourists put on them during hikes.
• A sweater is good to prevent coldness at night and when it rains.
• A waterproof jackets, these are helpful during treks when it rains, secondary the rain rainforests conditions are typically wet and humid and a rain jacket will prevent water drops. A Windproof jacket is also good especially when traveling long routes.
• Gloves such as gardening gloves are useful to grip vegetation while trekking gorillas or hiking. Often times muddy trails are not easy to walk over and you will need to hold tress that might be thorny or stinging nettles.

Strong waterproof walking shoes or gum boots, trekking gorillas or hiking is done in the rainforests which is characterized by wet, muddy and slippery trails and that requires you to have sturdy boots. You are advised to tuck pants into lightweight wool socks and boots while trekking.

• Pair of sports sandals can be put on after your treks; I guess you will be tired of shoes
• A Hat is good for sun protection, remember this is tropical Africa and the sun is very hot during day so when you are not used to such conditions you will require a hat.
• Sleepwear especially warm under wears or vests for cold nights
  Bring swimming costumes for you will need to relax off the inland sea beaches.
• Miscellaneous, you may decide to have the following for personal use as well
• Sunscreen can prevent wind or hot sun; you can also bring sunglasses with neck strap to keep them in the chest.
• Bring insect repellents for you to smear on your body parts such as necks, hands because tropical forests have biting insects besides mosquitoes
• A Small day pack can include food snacks, drinking water or energy giving drinks.
• Flashlight is good at night
• Binoculars are essential to enable distant views of wildlife such as birds, wild animals
• Extra batteries for your cameras. Once you set off to the forests for gorilla trekking or hiking you have no chance of returning back soon before you see gorillas and photography is among your aims.
• Add also Camera and extra lenses.
• Personal toiletries such as toilet papers, wipes and deodorants
• Prescription medicines for instance when you know you are going to hike or climb mountains you need to be aware of acute mountain sickness due to high altitudes. You need to see your physician early before traveling to be equipped with medicine prescriptions.
  Small notebook is good if you are a note taker.
• First Aid Kit should include rehydration sachets, anti-diarrhea medicine. Aspirin is good in case of sudden headache, bring medication for colds. Antiseptic cream, bandages, lip balm, eye drops and personal medication.

Note, however, when visiting Rwanda or tropical Africa you will need to have been vaccinated against yellow fever. Other diseases such as malaria are put to public disposal and notice and you need to be careful of eating whatever you find along the way. Though buying local is one of the measures to maximize your travel costs.