Essential Items for Gorilla Trekking
Are you getting ready for an exhilarating gorilla trekking experience in Uganda or Rwanda and looking for tips on what to pack and wear to ensure you are fully prepared for your adventure? When embarking on gorilla trekking, it is essential to have a sturdy and comfortable pair of walking shoes or boots. The forest transforms into a wild, muddy landscape when the rain pours down. There are challenging uphill sections that can be quite steep and demanding. Wearing a long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long trousers is a smart choice to shield yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles, and biting ants. When preparing for an exhilarating journey into the wilds of Uganda and Rwanda to trek gorillas, consider packing essentials such as insect repellent, a reliable torch or flashlight, and spare batteries. Moist Towelettes, Hydration Container, Camera, lenses, gardening gloves for exploring the wild. Footwear for exploration, a protective hat and sunscreen, a rain jacket for unexpected weather, a cozy sweater or fleece, and sturdy walking or hiking boots with comfortable socks. Swimwear and binoculars for observing birds, among other essentials.
What should you wear for an exciting Gorilla Trekking experience in the Rushaga sector?
If you are curious about what to wear for your trek or what to pack for gorilla trekking, here’s a handy list of essentials for your adventure;
- A cozy long-armed sweater, perfect for those chilly moments in the park.
- Two pairs of long trousers
- Durable hiking boots that can withstand the elements
- A hat and sunglasses can enhance your experience, depending on the weather, though they are not a necessity.
- Cameras and durable batteries are essential for capturing and preserving your unforgettable moments. Always keep our flash off for the best experience.
- A set of binoculars. This will allow you to explore the incredible variety of birds in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, along with other fascinating primates.
- Gardening gloves; these will assist you as you grip onto trees and branches during your journey.
- A rain coat; As Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a rainforest, the rain can be quite unpredictable, so it is wise to bring along a coat for your journey.
- A mosquito repellent is essential; given the forest’s wild environment, it is wise to bring it along or wear it to fend off various pesky insects.
- A sun screen; While it may not be a must-have, depending on the season, the heat can become intense, leading to potential sunburns on your skin. To prevent that, having a sun screen is a wise choice.
- Avoid wearing very bright colors, as they may startle or deter the gorillas.
It is best to avoid black and blue colors as they tend to attract Tsetse flies. I suggest opting for neutral colors instead.
How to reach Bwindi for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
By Air: Reaching Bwindi by air offers a quicker and more effortless journey. Aero link is a domestic airline providing both scheduled and charter flights to Kisoro Airstrip, your gateway to the adventurous Rushaga region. While there is not a direct flight to Rushaga, you can easily reach Kisoro, where our expert guide will be waiting to take you to your lodge. The journey from Kisoro to a nearby lodge in Rushaga takes about 2 hours. Passengers must check in at least 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time for their flight. It is essential to remember that aero links baggage allows for 15 kilograms per person, and any excess will incur a charge of 3 USD per kilo. Private charters are also available for clients with varying timing needs and unique routing preferences. Consider embarking on a journey with your little ones, as infants under 2 years old can travel for free. Children over 12 years travel at 70% of the adult fare.
By Road: Rushaga is reachable via the main highway from Entebbe/Kampala, taking about 8-9 hours to drive. Your journey will take you through Kabale town before continuing on to Rushaga. The Park is reachable from Kigali, Rwanda, with an exciting drive of about 4-5 hours ahead.
Ideal moments to organize an affordable gorilla safari to Bwindi.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest welcomes trekkers throughout the year, though it is essential to remember that this tropical rainforest can experience rain at any moment. The ideal times for gorilla tracking are from June to August and December to February, as these months bring the least rainfall, making the forest easier to navigate. Conversely, if you choose to travel between March and May or in November, you might encounter increased rainfall, but this could also lead to some enticing discounts on accommodations at various lodges.
Key factors to keep in mind when organizing a budget gorilla safari
Securing your gorilla permits ahead of time
When planning an exciting budget gorilla safari to Rushaga during the low season, it is advisable to secure your gorilla permits at least one month before your safari date. While permits are generally accessible during this period, certain dates can still become fully booked, particularly when large groups of tourists purchase them in bulk. It is wise to book your trekking spot in Rushaga ahead of time to ensure a smooth experience. To trek mountain gorillas in Rushaga, you must obtain a gorilla permit. The cost is USD700 for foreign non-residents, USD600 for foreign residents, and 250,000 Uganda Shillings for East African citizens. This permit allows you to enjoy a one-hour encounter with the majestic mountain gorillas in Bwindi. Get in touch with us for more information on securing your gorilla permits for an unforgettable tracking experience in Rushaga ahead of time.
Staying in budget lodges
When planning a budget gorilla safari to Rushaga during low season, it is crucial to keep certain factors in mind. To ensure a memorable experience and comfort throughout your adventure, we suggest choosing safe and easily accessible budget lodges in Rushaga. Rushaga offers a variety of budget lodge options for your stay, including Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Kaurngi Camp, Nshongi Camp, and Rushaga Gorilla Camp Standard room and Camping grounds, among others. Every lodge offers three meal plans when you book your safari with Maseke Adventure Co. ensuring you enjoy a full board meal experience.
Exciting journey to Bwindi
Opting for a 4×4 safari van is a smart choice for your journey to Bwindi, ensuring a comfortable ride along the way. Depending on your budget, you can choose to fly with Aerolink to Kisoro Airstrip, conveniently located near Rushaga. This option significantly reduces the lengthy journey from Entebbe/Kampala, which typically takes 8-9 hours, to just a 2-hour drive from Kisoro to your lodge in Rushaga.
Discover the reasons to choose us for your budget gorilla safari to Bwindi.
Maseke Adventure Co. is dedicated to crafting personalized safari experiences. The team is exceptionally dedicated and reliable. Your questions will be addressed in just 30 minutes by our dedicated team of expert tour consultants. These consultants will craft an exciting travel plan for you, respond to all your inquiries, and ensure that all your services are reserved ahead of time to prevent any hassles. Our safari guides are exceptionally knowledgeable and can cater to your language preferences. There are various Budget Gorilla safari packages to Rushaga, including the 2-day Budget Gorilla safari, the 3-day Budget Gorilla safari, and the 4-day Budget Gorilla safari. It all depends on your preference. Reach out to us here for guidance on what to pack for your gorilla trekking experience.
