What to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi

Are you planning to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Uganda and you want to know What to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park? Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is an incredible adventure, but it requires careful preparation. Here’s a comprehensive what to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi list to ensure you’re well-prepared for the gorilla trekking experience:

Clothing

1. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants: To protect against scratches, insect bites, and stinging nettles.
2. Rain jacket or poncho: The forest is a rainforest, so sudden showers are common.
3. Hiking boots: Sturdy, waterproof, and comfortable for rough terrain.
4. Gaiters: To protect your legs from mud, water, and insects.
5. Hat: For sun protection.
6. Gloves: Gardening gloves can help you grasp vegetation without getting scratched.

Accessories

1. Daypack: A small, comfortable backpack to carry your essentials.
2. Walking stick: Often provided by the trekking guides, but you can bring your own if preferred.
3. Binoculars: For bird watching and spotting other wildlife.
4. Camera: With extra batteries and memory cards for capturing the experience.
5. Sunglasses and sunscreen: Protection from the sun.

Personal Items

1. Water bottle: Hydration is crucial.
2. Snacks: High-energy snacks like nuts, energy bars, and fruit.
3. First-aid kit: Including any personal medications, band-aids, antiseptic cream, and pain relievers.
4. Insect repellent: To keep mosquitoes and other insects at bay.
5. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer: For hygiene purposes.

Documents and Money

1. Passport: Essential for identification.
2. Gorilla trekking permit: This is mandatory and should be secured well in advance.
3. Cash: For tips, souvenirs, and any unforeseen expenses (small denominations are useful).

Optional Items

1. Ziplock bags: For keeping electronics and important documents dry.
2. Notebook and pen: For jotting down notes or observations.
3. Guidebook: For information on gorillas and other wildlife in Bwindi.

Health and Safety

1. Vaccinations: Ensure you’re up to date on required vaccinations, including yellow fever.
2. Malaria prophylaxis: Consult with your doctor about taking anti-malarial medication.
3. Travel insurance: Coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.

What to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi, By packing these items you’ll be well-prepared for an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda.

How to book Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park?

Booking gorilla trekking in Bwindi is very easy once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email at info@ecoadventuresafaris.com so that we check for the availability of gorilla habituation permits online with the Uganda Wildlife Authority once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits. Once the payment is made and we have received it on our account we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park. Booking permit for gorilla trekking is advised to book your Gorilla permits in advance at least 2-3 months prior your visit given the fact few permits are available per day and sell out very quickly on first come first serve basis.

Cost and Getting Gorilla Permits in Uganda

The Gorilla permit in Uganda Costs $800 Per person per trek for Foreign nonresidents, $700 Per person for residents, $500 for Rest of Africa and $80 (300,000 Uganda Shillings) for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda also gives you an option to spend more time with the mountain gorillas through Gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Bwindi forest, gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 per person giving you an opportunity to spend 4 hours encountering with the semi habituated mountain gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers as opposed to one hour for the normal trekking. Getting gorilla permits in Uganda can be done directly by booking them through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator in Uganda like Eco Adventure Safaris Limited.

Where else is Gorilla Trekking Done in Africa?

Gorilla Trekking is done in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo which host the four national parks that are home the only remaining mountain gorillas. These include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo. In Congo you as well have an opportunity to see the Lowland gorillas which are found in Kahuzi Beiga National Park. In order to trek at any of the mentioned national park a gorilla permit is required for you to be allowed to go for gorilla trekking. With this once you have you planned dates of gorilla trekking we recommend you start booking your gorilla trip immediately given the fact that services and permits sell out very quickly especially if you plan to do the trek in the peak season of June to September, it is always better to book at least 5 months in advance prior traveling. Gorilla Trekking at the mentioned parks can be booked directly or through a trusted Tour Operator Eco Adventure Safaris.

What is the age limit for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi?

The minimum age limit for Gorilla Trekking is 12 years. Gorilla trekking for elders is now made possible especially in Bwindi Forest through provision of sedan chair carriers, these chairs are used to carry those who feel unfit and are unable to walk into the forest at the time of their trek, you will be carried by potters to and from the forest during your trek, hiring the sedan chair can done in advance or at the day of the trek and price ranges from 400-500 dollars.

What is the best time for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi?

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is done throughout the year and the best time to do gorilla trekking in Africa is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.

How to get to Bwindi Forest National Park

By Road; The southern sector of Bwindi Forest National Park can be accessed through the main safari circuit from Entebbe/Kampala which approximately 8-9 hours’ drive. You will need to turn off at Muko along the Kabale-Kisoro Road you will see the sign post of Uganda Wildlife Authority which you will follow upto to your booked lodge for accommodation in either Rushaga or Nkuringo sector.

By Air; You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip to access the southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to the park

Why Book Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Through Eco Adventure Safaris.

At Eco Adventure Safaris we provide personalized service with the utmost dedication to the safety and enjoyment of our clients. We are committed to the well-being of our staff and guests as well as to having a positive impact on the communities and wild places that our operations reach. On all our operations and safaris, we embrace the environmental ethic “Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints” all our packages are eco-friendly. Contact us here about What to pack for gorilla trekking in Bwindi.