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What to pack for a Gorilla tracking tour?
The best backpack for Gorilla tracking
After all, bookings have been made, there is one thing that can tarnish your great safari from being an unimaginable experience.
Having secured your Uganda gorilla trekking permit, accommodation and transport – it is vital to consider what you are going to pack, as incorrect clothing can spoil the experience.
Today, we have compiled a list of what you should have before embarking on a gorilla trekking safari in the thick Jungles of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The good news is that most of the gear can be bought here in Uganda.
So if you were not able to obtain everything before you left home then worry not!
Waterproof Boots
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park’s floor has boggy soils, ever wet. To cover your legs from the soggy ground and river waters that will be crossed on several trails, waterproof boots are essential.
Waterproof light boots on your feet, the thrill has started because your feet are dry and comfortable. Due to the high amounts of rainfall received in this park, the thick vegetation makes the soil soft and wet. These shoes can be bought in most Entebbe or Kampala shops.
Rain jackets
Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi impenetrable forest are worthy being taken part in though you need have the right gears. At this park, rain falls any minute thus calls for a rain jacket and waterproof clothing worn. The memories are so beautiful however while in the forest, anticipate rain at any time even in the dry season because it’s unpredictable.
In case it does not rain, there is thick vegetation here that the dew can stay till the afternoon hours of the day. The dew can soak you real wet if not dressed on a waterproof jacket and this may affect the would-be gotten real experience.
Garden gloves
Bwindi Uganda during your trekking safari will take you to the slippery spots, take you to the thorny and itchy weeds. This is where the garden gloves come in to help to avoid touching mud on the slippery area or grabbing on itchy or thorny weeds in this forest that will give you discomfort if touched physically with a hand.
We tell you some slippery places tend to make the trekking experience harder at times and you will, by all means, be forced to grab something for support and if you have your garden gloves on, everything will remain normal and the continues.
Also, trekking trail may go to one thorny point where you may grab one accidentally and end up being hurt by thorns but if the gloves are on, safety is guaranteed
Pair of binoculars
The beauty is too vast and varied. For the ardent bird lovers taking part in the gorilla trekking safari, don’t leave your equipment behind because this park is rich in bird species. A few of the roles of the binoculars on this safari could be for spotting/viewing birds, tiny features that come your way on your trekking trail at a far and you may need to have the binoculars help to magnify them.
This is an optional; requirement on this kind of safari. We put it down because many have always regretted having not carried them when their need arose.
Energy-boosting snacks and drinks
The gorilla trekking safaris always tend to be lengthy yet they involve a lot of trekking, hiking in pursuit of mountain gorillas. This calls for you to pack something to add up on the early morning breakfast had at the lodge.
The normal gorilla tracking safaris last between 2-8 hours. This, therefore, renders the breakfast energy alone to meagre to sustain you till you return to the lodge for lunch after the gorilla trekking experience.
So to avert incidences of collapsing, you are recommended to carry soft easy snacks and drinks to help you along the way till when the activity is over. However, ensure to remember that littering in the park is highly prohibited and has a prize attached to it if caught. Also, don’t get tempted to feed the gorillas!! For more Dos and Don’ts while in this park, look out for our next article.
Drinking-Water
Due to constant hikes, treks, and movements, the body loses water and you must replace it in the long hours spent in the jungles of the park. Enough water for drinking must be carried to cease thirst from spoiling the experience and the thrill.
We recommend you carry at least 1.5-2 litres of water to ensure that your experience is a great moment of your life.
Camera with extra batteries.
To store the memories for centuries, take Ugandan invisible product to your home country, why not carry a camera to record the unforgettable thrilling experience in the thick jungle of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park?
The risk of going for classy experiential gorilla trekking activity and then fail to capture moments with the gentle giants, the landlords of the Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is so immense. The ultimate experience and memories can reminisce don both in the soul and in the digital equipment.
Or rather you carry it with just a single battery that may run down in the climax of getting superb memories. To be safer, carry a spare battery in case the first one runs out of power/energy.
Hat and sunglasses
The mood is too high and nothing should limit and cut your expectations. You should carry even the minor ones of the requirements just to be on the safer side and avert being disappointed when near The hat and sunglasses work efficiently during the dry season where the sunshine is somehow hot and need as to be paralyzed as it should not cut the thrilling gorilla trekking experience expectations.
Long-sleeved shirts and trousers.
These are so necessary because of the kind of vegetation at Bwindi impenetrable fort national park. The hype in you can be cut short by the kind of trousers or shirt you are wearing when you are in the middle of the trail tracking mountain gorillas. We also recommend that you pack both shirt and trousers waterproofed to keep you so untouchable by all sorts of weather conditions.
Porters
Porters are readily available within the park and they offer assistance to you to carry your luggage during gorilla trekking safari. Worry not about the safety of your stuff because these porters are wholly reliable. They will assist you, reduce the heavyweight burden of luggage on your back yet it’s a fun time. However, they do it at a fee. We, therefore, recommend you to get porters to carry your luggage prior commencing your gorilla tracking experience to avert tiring while still on the safari.
Are you interested or done with making your bookings? Check your pack list, compare and Update. For more Gorilla tracking safari related information, Contact Lionking Safaris Uganda and you will surely receive the responses.
Engaging Communities and Wildlife Scouts in Uganda
As Published on AWF Website
It is my personal belief that conservation in today’s world cannot happen without the aid of the communities who live side-by-side with the animals who we are trying to save. This philosophy is one of the (many) reasons I was drawn to AWF: they also believe in helping the people to help the animals.
Many of the projects AWF is currently working on owe their success to the cooperation and involvement of the local communities. Without the help and acceptance of the people who interact with the animals most frequently, it would be impossible to save them for future generations.
One such program is the USAID/Uganda Tourism for Biodiversity Program, which is being implemented by AWF.
Recently, this program helped the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) provide 7.5 million Uganda shillings’ worth of gear, including gloves, buckets, hoes, spades, raincoats, water bottles, and more, to 122 wildlife scouts in the Murchison Falls Protected Area, many of who are young people.
The scouts had completed a two-day training program that taught them about the management of problem animals, especially elephants.
In this particular area (Murchison Falls), the scouts, who are volunteers from the local community, have worked to reduce the number of community-wildlife conflicts, especially involving elephant crop raids, through inexpensive, simple techniques.
Already, this scout program has helped reduce the need for UWA rangers in the area (there are currently 3 rangers, down from 14 in 2008), saving UWA about 15 million Uganda shillings each year.
By reducing the number of conflicts between the animals and the people who live near them, the communities become more willing to aid in their conservation, which cannot happen without the cooperation of the people on the front lines.
The goal of the Uganda Tourism for Biodiversity program is to develop the potential of Uganda’s biodiversity so that the rural communities are able to benefit from the increased tourism. This gives them a reason to aid in the conservation; by saving the places they live, they are able to help grow their economy.
The program will be implemented in five sites in Uganda: Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Budongo Forest Reserve, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Kalinzu Forest Reserve.
Many of AWF’s other programs also focus on helping communities to benefit from the conservation of their natural resources.
For example, AWF has helped to open multiple high-end lodges in prime tourism areas, such as Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge in Rwanda. Tourists come here from all around the world to track the mountain gorillas, and the lodge provides a quality experience. However, the lodge also provides employment and financial benefits to the community. This encourages the community to protect the gorillas in the area rather than hunt them for bush meat as a way to earn money and reduce conflict.
When it comes to conserving Africa’s wildlife, the communities play a major role. Without their help in protecting beloved species, none of the work AWF and other conservation groups would be possible.
About the Author
Sydney was a summer intern with AWF. She is entering her senior year of high school and has a passion for wildlife conservation. She hopes to one day be a wildlife vet.