Gorilla trekking is a fulfilling adventure that has gained much admiration from many people globally in recent times. It’s only possible in Uganda, D.R. Congo, and Rwanda, and nowhere else in the world because it’s only these three countries where the activity is possible for the gorillas in their natural habitat. This area is known as the Virunga region. It has numerous highlands that are covered with majorly green vegetation since it’s located in tropical Africa. It’s in these rainforests where gorillas reside and breed.
They live in families and these have specific locations where visitors assemble for gorilla treks. The trekking tour goes on for hours with the help of park rangers who act as guides while trekking gorillas. Because of the intensity of this activity, a trekker needs the following items to be able to enjoy their experience.
- Hiking stick.
Trekkers are expected to engage in hiking since the Virunga ranges span the entire area where gorilla trekking safaris take place. A hiking stick, artificially made or natural, is a requirement, especially for both inexperienced hikers and also trekkers heading for higher altitude areas.
- Hiking / trekking boots.
Footwear is a must, so tourists should beware that barefooting wouldn’t last them even a minute in the jungles while trekking gorillas. The forested nature of the region has many unseen dangers on the ground. The comfort that trekking boots bring is helpful as visitors secure longer hours of comfortable trekking.
- Long sleeve shirt.
The ecosystem in forests is so rich in all forms of flora. Some of these can introduce an itching experience on the skin of any person, some of which may have adverse effects.
- A pair of breathable trekking trousers.
The trekking is done in the natural habitat of the gorillas. Therefore, the trekking takes courageous steps of forcing the way into the thick vegetation. This may be dangerous to uncovered legs, hence the need for breathable trekking trousers.
- Insect repellent.
The Virunga ranges don’t form part of only flora but enable the flourishing of the fauna of which insects form part. Some of these insects are dangerous to human health, such as mosquitoes that can cause malaria. Some of the insects cause inflammation to the skin, an experience no visitor would desire.
- Trekking hat.
A comfortable trekking hat has mainly the duty of protecting the head, and also the skin from unforeseeable falling plants, small branches, leaves, and insects, some of which may badly affect the skin of a trekker.
- Backpack.
The main reason for securing a backpack is for carrying and packing other smaller equipment that may be important to trekkers while they undertake a gorilla tour.
- Pair of binoculars.
Apart from gorillas, there are other features to view in the jungles, such as birds and other primates. However, these, including gorillas, maybe at a further distance. This therefore necessitates a pair of binoculars, for trekkers to be able to view those features at a nearer angle.
- Camera.
A camera is mainly important for securing the preservation of memories. Photography of a visitor while in the jungles helps in the recollection of experiences in the future.
- Food pack/snacks.
This is for making sure that the tourist doesn’t starve while on their trek. Sometimes the trekking can go on for hours something that may be challenging, and so need to pack some food.
- Drinking water / water bottle.
The water bottle is important for securing water for quenching the tourist’s thirst while trekking. The trekking experience can be so challenging and therefore requires periodic drinking of water.
- Power bank.
Because there isn’t power supply in the jungle, visitors are advised to carry a power bank essentially for recharging their camera and/or phone battery. Trekkers, however, can from time to time carry more equipment as they find so fit required for them.
