The Best Gloves For Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is a life-changing adventure! But in order for you to have the most of it, adequate preparation is required. This includes how you plan to pack for your gorilla trekking adventure. Do I need strong gloves for gorilla trekking? Yes, sturdy gardening gloves come in handy for all gorilla tracking safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo.

Safety during your gorilla trek is essential and gardening gloves are made uniquely to offer protection to your hands. Wearing gardening saves your hands from getting hurt from thorns or itchy plants especially when they are touched in the process of finding support in muddy or slippery areas.

The whole gorilla trekking adventure is unpredictable and at times, some treks aren’t tough while others can really be challenging. This usually depends on the gorilla families assigned to visitors, accessing where they are makes gloves essential items.

At times, there are instances where you carry gardening gloves but you end up not using them. This is especially for simple gorilla treks. Depending on your physical wellness, you may request the park official/management for an easier trek for mountain gorilla families.

What is gorilla trekking like in Africa?

The actual gorilla trekking involves navigating via the dense tropical forest. There are no trails designed like the normal game drives. Here, the park guides in some instances can use machetes to pave the way. Some places are steep and slippery, while others have huge logs, vines, and creepers -these and more make tracking mountain gorillas completely an extraordinary adventure.

What else to carry or pack besides gardening gloves?

Long trousers

Long trousers are useful when it comes to gorilla safaris. Trekkers visiting Bwindi or Volcanoes National Park purposely for guided gorilla trekking need long trousers. Even before you set foot in the rainforest of Bwindi, the park official will remind you to ensure the trousers are tucked inside the socks. This is one measure used to prevent the entry of nestles or biting insects.

Long-sleeved shirts

Long sleeves are essential, leave shorts back home or in the lodge. First, it is cold and the other reason, you need protection for your hands from biting insects, falling tree branches, etc. This can only be realized when you are wearing a long-sleeved shirt. Bright-colored clothing should be avoided and preferably, green or attire that blends with the green vegetation is better.

Insect repellent

Tracking mountain gorillas is in a completely different environment. By the nature of where these apes live, higher chances are insects can be encountered. These can be repelled with an insect repellent like citronella or RID.

Bottled water

Bottled drinking water plays a great part in all gorilla treks. Before you come across mountain gorillas, you will spend at least 2 to 6 hours hiking through the steep slopes or dense vegetation then settle for a magical encounter for one hour.

Camera

On any safari, photography is a must and like any activity, a good camera is essential for mountain gorilla trekking adventure. A flashlight isn’t recommended, and you can turn it off just in case you carried a camera with this feature. Also, consider carrying an extra battery to cover instances where the camera battery runs off.

Sturdy hiking boots

Waterproof hiking boots are essential for all gorilla safaris to Uganda or Rwanda. Never think of sneakers or sandals because you won’t enjoy a trek to see gorillas. Find good, but waterproof hiking boots that can protect you from muddy ground or water from infiltrating and should support your ankle when hiking, etc.

Other must-haves for a guided gorilla trekking packing: sunscreen, pair of socks, lightweight rain jacket, safari hat, sweater, and pair of binoculars to mention but a few.