Gorillas
Eben Safari Tours Team2 min read
What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking: The Complete Checklist
The kit list we give every guest, refined over hundreds of treks in Volcanoes National Park.
Eben Safari Tours Team2 min read
Quick answerFor gorilla trekking, pack waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, a light rain jacket, gardening gloves, a daypack with two litres of water and snacks, insect repellent and a camera without flash. Tuck your trousers into your socks against ants and nettles, and dress in muted colours.
Clothing
- Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support and deep tread
- Long trousers in a tough fabric (nettles sting through leggings)
- Long-sleeved shirt and a warm mid-layer: mornings at 2,500 m are cool
- Light, breathable rain jacket, even in the dry season
- Gaiters or long socks to tuck trousers into
- Gardening or cycling gloves for gripping vines and nettles
- Hat for sun and drizzle
- Muted colours (greens, browns, greys)
In your daypack
- 2 litres of water
- Snacks and the packed lunch from your lodge
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- A face mask (sometimes requested near the gorillas)
- Passport (checked at the briefing)
- Small cash in US dollars or Rwandan francs for the porter and tips
- A plastic-free dry bag (plastic bags are banned in Rwanda)
Camera gear
- A camera with a fast lens (f/2.8 or wider) or a recent smartphone
- Spare batteries and memory cards
- No flash: it is forbidden
- Leave tripods behind; there is no space to set them up
See our gorilla photography tips.
What you can rent or get locally
Walking sticks are provided free at the trailhead. Porters can be hired at the start for around US$15–20. Some lodges lend boots, gaiters and rain jackets.
What to leave behind
Large bags, food smells near the gorillas, perfume and anything that rustles loudly. If you have a cold, tell your guide: gorillas catch human illnesses.
#packing list#gorilla trekking#what to wear
Written by the Eben Safari Tours team
We are a Kigali-based tour operator, guiding travellers through Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania since 2015. Our guides trek with the gorillas, drive Akagera and climb the volcanoes every week, and we update these guides whenever rules or prices change.
