Among the total world population of Mountain Gorillas (Gentle giants), Ugandaalso known as the pearl of Africa, happens to have approximately 1,063 Mountain gorillas (about half of the remaining population in the world). Mountain gorillas in Uganda are found in two travel destinations, and these happen to include Maghinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These parks are favourable for the lifestyle of Mountain gorillas since they are in high mountainous areas with thick vegetation cover. To adapt to these areas and the weather found there, Mountain Gorillas are covered with fur that helps them stay warm during the cold weather conditions. Mountain Gorillas in Uganda can only be encountered during two travel activities, and these include Mountain Gorilla Tracking and Mountain Gorilla Habituation. Both activities involve searching for mountain gorillas on foot in their natural habitats, but they only differ in terms of time or period given to tourists to spend in the presence of mountain gorillas. The time given to tourists during mountain gorilla trekking is approximately 1 hour, while for mountain gorilla habitation, tourists are given about 4 hours.

So, are you planning a Mountain Gorilla tracking or Mountain Gorilla Habituation safari in Bwindi? Will it be your first time experiencing or your second time encountering the gentle giants? well here are the essentials that you should consider packing to ensure your safety or well-being and also aid in the amazing adventure that you are about to take on.  

Raincoat, Rain jacket, or Poncho

The fact that you are heading to a cold travel destination that is covered with vegetation, you will never know when it will rain, so for your own benefit, it will be good if you consider packing or bringing along either a rain jacket, rain coat, or poncho to help keep you warm and dry during the Mountain gorilla tracking or Mountain gorilla habituation activities.

Insect repellant

Since the Mountain gorilla tracking or Mountain gorilla habituation activities take place in areas that are covered with lush vegetation, you should expect to encounter or find different insects, which may as well include poisonous ones, so, to keep on a safer side, you should include an insect repellent in the items you're packing to avoid insect bites.

Fleshless camera and Extra batteries

for thosein terested in Mountain Gorilla photography, you should consider packing or bringing along a flashless camera and a pair of extra batteries to avoid missing the beautiful shoots all in the name of dead batteries. Always remember that before taking photographs of these gentle giants (mountain gorillas), you should seek permission from your Tour guide.

Waterproof hiking boots

A pair of waterproof hiking boots should be handy or packed because these are the best shoes for any mountain gorilla activity due to the fact that the trekking trails tend to be steep and slippery mostly during the wet season of the year or when it rains in either of these parks.

Long-sleeved shirts or t-shirts

To ensure the safety of your hands, you should consider packing or bringing along a pair of long-sleeved shirts to protect your hands from scratches from tree branches, insect bites, itchy or poisonous plants. the long-sleeved shirts or t-shirts will also help keep you warm during the cold weather.

Long-sleeved trousers

just like the long-sleeved shirts or t shirts protect your hands, in the same way, also the long-sleeved trousers will offer protection to your legs during either mountain gorilla trekking or mountain gorilla habituation activity.

Refillable drinking water bottle

Either of the two mountain gorilla activities require a lot of energy, so it will be good if you consider bringing along a refillable drinking water bottle to keep your hydration levels in check. Also, since you will be using refillable drinking water bottles, you will be contributing to sustainable tourism.

A pair of binoculars

For bird lovers, you should not forget to pack that pair of binoculars since it will be handy, depending on the fact that either Maghinga or Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks are not only homes to Mountain gorillas but also homes to a variety of bird species that can be spotted by tourists during either Mountain gorilla trekking or Mountain gorilla habituation in either of these parks.

Energy boosting snacks

You will be needing all the energy you can get, so bringing or packing along energy-giving or energy-boosting snacks will be such a great idea. In case you forget to pack these from home, you can also purchase some from different retail shops and supermarkets across Uganda. Snack breaks will be given to you during the mountain gorilla trekking or habituation activity, but you should always remember that littering and feeding of wildlife is highly prohibited.

First Aid kit

Since you will be going to a new environment and far away from home, you should consider packing or bringing along a first aid kit with your medications prescribed by your travel doctor, so that in case of any accident, first aid is administered to you.

A backpack

Bringing along a backpack will help you carry all you need in one place, leaving your hands free to do other things and also hold the walking or hiking stick.  

Other items or things you should consider packing include a pair of sunglasses, a cape or hat, sunscreen, a pair of garden gloves, a gorilla permit, sanitizer, and a walking stick (this can also be hired), to name a few.

In conclusion, you should always consider booking for mountain gorilla trekking or mountain gorilla habituation permits in advance to avoid any form of inconvenience since a few permits are sold daily and there is ahigh of demand for them.