Packing list for a gorilla safari in Africa

Packing list for a gorilla safari in Africa

Packing list for a gorilla safari in Africa: A big number of travellers headed to the East of Africa are headed for the gorilla trekking experience. The eastern countries that offer the gorilla trekking are Uganda and Rwanda that offer only the mountain gorilla trekking and the Democratic republic of Congo that offers both the mountain gorilla trekking and the lowland gorilla trekking. There are five national parks in the region where you can visit these gorillas. 

The gorilla parks where you can visit are the Volcanoes national park of Rwanda which is a home to the mountain gorillas, the Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga forest national park of Uganda which are both home to the mountain gorillas, the Virunga national park of Congo that is a home to both the mountain gorillas and the lowland gorillas and the Kahuzi Biega national park of the Democratic Republic of Congo that is a home to the lowland gorillas. 

All these countries are ready to host both the local and international tourists but it is important to remember that they are still developing countries and most of these parks are located in the remote areas of the countries. It is important to be well packed to avoid surprises however much it is possible to hire or buy some equipment enroute. The challenge may however be getting the exact quality or brand as the one back home so better to cross check with this packing list I have prepared for you. Most of these destinations and hotels have WiFi coverage for you to be able to communicate back home and keep updated and make research. 

Adapters and batteries. Keeping your gadgets fully charged is a plus for your experience so it is very important to have enough change of battery and fully charged at all times when you can. You may visit some places that have a challenge of full time supply of electricity so even solar chargers or batteries are encouraged if possible for your gadget. 

Water bottle and snacks. These items may seem minimal but are very important in Africa especially the water bottle mostly because of the high temperatures that may keep you thirsty and you will need to hydrate. Also the snacks are very important as you may have some long driving hours in the car with no stopover and that is where they will come in handy. 

Cameras. Living the memory is one thing but storing the memory in photos is another. The camera is a very important accessory you should not leave behind when setting out for a safari. You get to share the memories and experience with others with the aid of the photos on the camera. Do not forget to carry extra batteries for the camera. A waterproof camera is advised in case of rains while on safari.

Long trousers and long sleeved shirts. These may not necessarily be for warmth but rather to protect your skin from getting irritated by the bushes as you make your way through the forest and also protect you from sunburns on the skin as the sun can be hot in Africa. It is also important to carry rain jackets as the gorillas tend to stay in forested areas that expect rain pour anytime of the year so better ready than surprised. 

Medication. If you have some prescribed medicines that you may need during your safari, it is advisable to carry it along and not expect to buy it while on safari as you may be in for a shock if the medical stores do not have it. It is also advisable to have medical insurance in case of sudden sickness while in a foreign land and also have your medical documents like the Yellow fever vaccination card or the COVID-19 vaccination card to present at the airport on arrival.

Mosquito repellants. Most of the above mentioned destinations are mosquito infested areas majorly because of the location that favors breeding of mosquitoes and malaria can be a deadly disease on contraction that is why it is important to have a mosquito repellant on you at all times and also make it a point to sleep under a treated mosquito net in your hotel.

A flashlight. A solar powered or a battery flashlight is recommended as most hotels are set up in remote areas with limited electricity supply so they tend to switch of the electricity in the night and the flashlight will come in use then or when there is a sudden blackout in the area.

A sleeping bag and beddings. If you are interested in the camping experience, do not leave your sleeping bag behind with the hope of hiring as you may be in for a surprise when they available bags and beddings are not up to standard. Camping at most destinations ranges from 25 USD to 100 USD for only the space but you can top up and hire a tent if you have none. A tent and sleeping bag may cost about 5 to 20 USD depending on the quality and location. 

Tissues and sanitary wipes. These will come in handy to maintain the hygiene of your hands and other body parts at places where you may not find water to clean up. Also be sure to carry your mask and sanitizer at all times to protect you from the deadly corona virus that has claimed a number of lives since the outbreak in December 2019.