Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Bwindi Mountain Gorilla

Gorilla Trekking is the most popular adventure activities to do while in Uganda. Most safaris in Uganda feature gorilla trekking as one of the things to do while on holiday in Uganda. Gorillas are found in two Ugandan national parks; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park. There are several habituated gorilla groups that can be visited by tourists though many still remain unhabituated with Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga National Park.

PLANNING FOR A GORILLA TREKKING TRIP

During the actual gorilla tracking exercise,there are various regulations and guidelines that are that ought to be followed for the smooth running of this exercise and to record an everlasting experience of a life time.After an early morning briefing,clients are allocated to the various gorilla groups and each group goes to track a given gorilla family beginning from where they were the previous day.Though the whole exercise of gorilla tracking takes between 2-5 hours,after coming across these primates going through their daily chores of playing,feeding their young ones and others relaxing and jumping from one branch to another,tourists are allowed a maximum of one hour to stay with them.Take their best shots of pictures having switched off their flashes not to scare away these primates some thing that can as well make them to charge.

GORILLA TRACKING PACKING LIST

There are various things that any body going to track gorillas should not do without and the following are the most prominent ones;

  • Long trousers and pants that will insulate you from stinging nettles and should be strong enough to withstand occasional pulls from thorns.
  • Long sleeved shirts/T-shirts for protection from various body harming tendrils.
  • Gloves
  • Hiking boots ideal for climbing hills and mountains.
  • Warm cardigans to keep off coldness.
  • Long sleeved rain coat since the weather is un predictable and it can rain any time.
  • Water proof container for your camera for purposes of insulation.
  • Head gear if you really desire it.
  • Enough films for your camera.
  • Sun glasses which will help you to protect your eyes from the penetrating sun rays and drops of water from the tree leaves.
  •  Camera and extra lenses
  • Binoculars

Packing for a Uganda Safari

So, you’re taking a trip to Uganda … Congratulations! You are about to embark on an exciting lifetime adventure filled with beauty and wonder. Many travelers find some few challenges  to travel in Africa, given that it is still exotic and wild. Here are the most essential things that you should not forget to pack for your safari in Africa.

Clothes for Women

  • 4 t-shirts
  • 2 long sleeve shirts
  • 1 sweatshirt/fleece
  • 1 pair of comfortable shorts
  • 2 pairs of cotton trousers/pants
  • 1 cotton wrap (great to wear during the afternoon siesta, buy locally if you can)
  • 2 pairs of socks
  • 4 pairs cotton underwear (you can wash and dry overnight)
  • 3 sports bras (VERY bumpy roads)
  • Very thin waterproof raincoat if traveling during the wet season
  • Sunglasses (for the dust as well as bright sun)
  • Flannel pajama pants for the chilly nights
  • Hat with chin strap (to avoid it blowing off your head and into the bush)
  • Swimsuit
  • Lightweight, durable, waterproof shoes
  • Flip flops or sandals for around camp, (or to wear in the shower)

Clothes for Men

  • 4 t-shirts
  • 2 long sleeve shirts
  • 1 sweatshirt/fleece
  • 1 pair of comfortable shorts
  • 2 pairs of cotton trousers/pants
  • 3 pairs of socks
  • 4 Pairs Underwear (you can wash and dry overnight)
  • Flannel pajama pants for the chilly nights
  • Very thin waterproof raincoat if traveling during the wet season
  • Sunglasses (for the dust as well as bright sun)
  • Hat with chin strap (to avoid it blowing off your head and into the bush)
  • Swimsuit
  • Lightweight, durable, waterproof shoes
  • Flip flops or sandals for around camp, (or to wear in the shower)

Toiletries/First Aid
Every camp or lodge will have a basic first aid kit on hand, and most safari vehicles will too (especially those operated by higher end camps). But it’s handy to bring your own small supply of hand gel, band aids, aspirin etc…

  • Malarial prophylactics
  • Sunscreen (Factor 30 or above)
  • Antihistamine (for bug bites/stings and allergic reactions)
  • Aspirin/Motrin/Tylenol for pain/headaches
  • Mosquito Repellant
  • 3 one gallon ziplock bags (to keep things like your camera dry or free of dust and your dirty clothes separate)
  • Tampons/Pads for women (panty-liners are a must since you’ll be drip drying after peeing in the bush on game drives!)
  • Antiseptic gel (handy for washing your hands when there’s no water around)
  • Anti-diarrheal medication
  • Band aids with antiseptic cream
  • Personal toiletries in small travel size, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant etc
  • Prescription medications
  • Spare glasses if you wear contacts (because it’s often too dusty to wear them comfortably)

Gadgets and Gizmos

  • Converter plug to fit local sockets so you can recharge your phone, camera battery, i-Pad
  • Small Flashlight (when walking to and from your room at night, and to use inside your tent)
  • Camera (with zoom lenses and tripod if you’re serious, but remember the weight restrictions for flights)
  • Extra memory card for your camera (you’ll take more video and photos than you ever thought possible)
  • Binoculars (high end camps should have a spare pair in the safari vehicles for you to use)
  • Spare batteries and/or battery charger (always check to see what the camp has, or safari vehicle)
  • I-Pad or similar device for your books, to store your photos, alarm clock, and sound recording (fun if you have a lot of wildlife around your camp/lodge at night, it gets loud!)
  • Cell phone with local plan (optional, but handy to connect with family/friends back home. Most camps will not have wi-fi, but will have a cell phone connection)

Pack For a Purpose
At Experience Africa, we work with several local non governmental organizations and local community projects. If you have some space in your bag, you can bring any school supplies, medical supplies, clothing or other light objects that can be given to the local community projects.

Camping in Uganda Parks

When planning a camping safari in Uganda, it is important to understand that some basic items help you make it through an ordinary day and others you must use in case of extraordinary circumstances that catch you by surprise. Here are the essential list of things that you need to have a fantastic camping trip in Uganda;

Compass

If you don’t know where you are, you can’t tell where you’re going. A compass is a basic need for every camper, so that means every camper in your group needs his own. A compass in the hand of the group from which you get separated does you, the lost member, absolutely no good.

Map

Many cell phones are equipped with GPS technology, and there are dedicated handheld GPS devices. However, neither of those are any good if the power supply runs out or if the signal fails to reach it for one reason or another. The best advice is to equip yourself with a GPS device and a map, but definitely make sure you take a highly detailed and updated map of the camping area with you. A map with a scale of at least 1:100,000 provides the necessary view of detailed land features that help you determine where you are.

Flashlight

Rains come and campfires go out, and the last thing you want is to be left alone in the dark. Every member of the party should be equipped with a small handheld flashlight, but make sure to bring a couple of larger lanterns that can be used to illuminate larger areas and scare off unwanted nocturnal animals who may come looking to take your food.

Swiss Army Knife

A Swiss army knife is one basic camping need that many people nowadays don’t think about, but it can be a lifesaver. Not only do you get the requisite knife that you need for everything from gutting a fish to tying off your tent, but the knife also may include a fork, spoon, tweezers, scissors and saw.

Food and Drink

If you want hot food, make sure you bring a fire starter or a book of matches. Metal plates are durable and easily cleaned. Plastic cups are lighter than metal cups, but melt if placed too close to the fire. Bring some bottled water, because if you do find a freshwater supply, it may be contaminated with bacteria. Although the romance of drinking from a fresh stream remains intact, the reality is that in most cases bottled water is probably safer to drink.

Travel Documents

Visas

For most nationals, visas can be obtained upon arrival in Uganda at the at the Entebbe airport. Currently the visa fee is US$50. Please note that if you obtain the visa on arrival at the airport, payment should be made in US$ cash banknotes and the immigration officers do not accept credit cards or travellers’ cheques, so you will need to have the exact amount in cash. The visa is valid for three months.

 

  • Valid passport
  • One other picture identification (e.g. driver’s licence)
  • Photocopy of passport page to carry in wallet
  • Air tickets
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