The gorilla trekking packing list is short: waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, a rain jacket, gardening gloves, gaiters, and a small daypack with two liters of water. That covers a trek in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda in any month. Both parks sit between 1,160 and 3,000 meters, where mornings start near 10°C (50°F), the trail is muddy even in the dry season, and it can rain on any day. A walking stick is supplied free, a porter costs $10 to $20 at the trailhead, and most lodges lend gaiters and ponchos, so you need to bring less than you think. Below is the full list, built from what Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris guests use on treks every week.
The trek-day packing list
| Item | Why you need it | Bring or borrow |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof hiking boots, ankle height | Steep, muddy, off-trail ground | Bring, broken in |
| Long hiking trousers | Stinging nettles, thorns, ants | Bring |
| Long-sleeved shirt, quick-dry | Same, plus sun at altitude | Bring |
| Fleece or light insulated layer | 10°C mornings at the briefing | Bring |
| Rain jacket with hood | Rain in every month | Bring (lodges often lend ponchos) |
| Gardening gloves | Gripping nettles and branches | Bring, about $5 |
| Gaiters | Mud and ants out of boots | Borrow from lodge, or long socks |
| Hiking socks, two pairs | One pair will be wet by noon | Bring |
| Hat and sunscreen | UV is strong above 2,000 meters | Bring |
| Daypack, 20 to 25 liters, with rain cover | Water, lunch, camera, layers | Bring |
| Water, 2 liters | Treks can run past 6 hours | Lodge supplies |
| Packed lunch and snacks | You may be out past midday | Lodge supplies |
| Camera or phone, flash off | One hour with the gorillas | Bring |
| Passport | Checked against your permit at the briefing | Bring |
| Cash in small bills | Porter and tips | Bring |
| Face mask | Rangers may require one near the gorillas | Bring |
| Walking stick | Balance on the descent | Provided free |
What to wear, from the ground up
Boots
Boots matter more than everything else on the list combined. The last part of every trek leaves the path, and you will be standing on wet vegetation, roots, and volcanic mud at an angle. You want waterproof boots with ankle support and deep tread. Trail runners soak through in the first 20 minutes. Break new boots in for at least two weeks at home; blisters on trek day are the most common problem our guides see, and the easiest to prevent.
Socks and gaiters
Wear long hiking socks and bring a dry pair in a zip pouch. Gaiters keep mud out of your boots and stop safari ants from climbing inside your trouser legs. If your lodge does not lend gaiters, tuck your trousers into your socks. It looks odd and everyone does it.
Trousers and shirt
Long, light, quick-drying hiking trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. The reason is stinging nettles, which grow waist-high in both parks and sting through thin leggings. Jeans are a poor choice: once wet they stay wet and heavy. Shorts are a mistake you only make once.
Layers
Kinigi, the headquarters of Volcanoes National Park, sits at about 2,200 meters, and the 7:00 am briefing is cold. Within half an hour of walking you will be down to your shirt. Bring a fleece or light insulated jacket that packs small. A down parka is too much.
Rain jacket
Bring a proper waterproof jacket with a hood, in every season. A poncho works and covers your pack, but it snags in thick vegetation, which matters more in Bwindi than in Rwanda.
Gloves
Cheap gardening gloves with a rubberized palm are the item first-time trekkers most often skip and most often wish they had. You will grab branches, bamboo, and nettles for balance without looking first.
Colors
Greens, khaki, browns, and grays. Avoid bright colors and white. Do not pack camouflage clothing: across East Africa it is associated with the military, and civilians wearing it can be stopped.
In your daypack
Keep the pack small, because you or your porter will carry it for hours.
- Water: two liters. A bottle is simpler than a hydration bladder to refill at the lodge.
- Lunch and snacks: the lodge packs these. Add an energy bar or two.
- Camera gear: see below.
- Dry bag or zip pouches: for phone, passport, and spare socks.
- Insect repellent and sunscreen: apply before the trek. Strong scents near the gorillas are discouraged.
- Personal medication: plus blister plasters and rehydration salts.
- Cash: $10 to $20 for the porter, plus tips for the guide and trackers.
- Passport: rangers check it against the permit at the briefing in both countries.
Before you approach the gorillas, rangers will ask you to leave packs, walking sticks, and food with the porters. Take only your camera and what fits in your pockets.
“Every week someone arrives in new boots and white sneakers as a spare pair. I tell them the same thing: wear the boots around the house for two weeks, and bring gloves. Those two things decide whether the walk is hard or enjoyable,” says Reginal Hakizimana, founder of Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris.
Camera gear
You stand about 10 meters from the gorillas, often closer when they walk past you, in dim forest light. Flash is prohibited and rangers will ask you to check it is off before you approach.
- A phone takes good photos and better video than most people expect.
- For a camera, a 24 to 70 mm or 70 to 200 mm zoom at f/2.8 or f/4 is ideal. Lenses longer than 300 mm are too tight.
- Bring a spare battery and memory card, and a rain cover or a plastic-free dry bag.
- Leave tripods and monopods behind; there is no room to use them. Drones are not permitted in either park.
For how the hour unfolds, read what to expect on gorilla trek day.
Documents, money, and power
- Passport with six months’ validity, and your visa. The East Africa Tourist Visa ($100) covers Rwanda and Uganda if you plan to trek in both.
- Yellow fever certificate. Uganda asks all arriving travelers for one. Rwanda asks for it if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk, which includes Uganda.
- Gorilla permit. Your operator holds it and presents it at the briefing. You do not need to carry a paper copy.
- US dollars in small bills, printed 2013 or later and unmarked. Older and torn notes are refused across the region.
- Plug adapter. Rwanda uses Type C and J (European two-pin). Uganda uses Type G (British three-pin). Both run on 230 to 240 volts.
- Travel insurance that covers trekking up to 4,000 meters and medical evacuation.
What to leave at home
- Plastic bags. Rwanda has banned single-use plastic bags since 2008 and they are confiscated at the airport and land borders. Pack shoes and laundry in cloth or reusable dry bags.
- Camouflage clothing. See above.
- Drones. Not allowed in the national parks without a special permit.
- Hard-shell suitcases, if your trip includes a helicopter transfer or a domestic flight in Uganda. The limit is 15 kilograms in a soft duffel.
- A wardrobe for every day. Lodges near both parks do laundry, usually overnight, and many clean your boots while you eat lunch.
Rwanda vs Uganda: what changes
| Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Trailhead altitude | 2,400 to 3,000 meters | 1,160 to 2,600 meters |
| Morning temperature | About 10°C (50°F) | About 11 to 15°C (52 to 59°F) |
| Terrain | Bamboo, open slopes, volcanic mud | Dense rainforest, steep ridges |
| Matters most | Warm layer, sun protection | Gaiters, rain jacket, gloves |
| Porter | $10 to $20 | About $20 |
| Plugs | Type C and J | Type G |
If you are trekking in both countries, pack for Bwindi and you are covered for Rwanda. Our Bwindi vs Volcanoes comparison explains how the two treks differ.
What we handle for you
On a Rwanda Eco Company safari, the permit, the private 4x4, the driver-guide, the lodge, the packed lunch, and the drinking water are arranged before you land. Your guide checks your kit the evening before the trek and can stop in Musanze for gloves or a poncho if something is missing. Our most-booked trips are the 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari and, for both primates, the 3 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari. To compare lengths and budgets, see our Rwanda gorilla trekking packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear for gorilla trekking? +
Wear waterproof hiking boots with ankle support, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, and a light fleece, with a rain jacket in your pack. Add gardening gloves for gripping vegetation and gaiters or long socks to tuck your trousers into. Choose muted colors such as green, khaki, brown, or gray.
Do I need hiking boots for gorilla trekking? +
Yes. Trails in Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi are steep, muddy, and off-path for the last stretch, so waterproof boots with ankle support and deep tread are the single most important item. Trail runners and sneakers soak through and slip. Break new boots in for at least two weeks before you travel.
What colors should I avoid on a gorilla trek? +
Avoid bright colors and white, which stand out in the forest and show mud, and avoid camouflage prints, which are associated with the military in East Africa. If your trip continues to Akagera or other savannah parks, also avoid dark blue and black there because they attract tsetse flies.
Do I need gaiters and gloves? +
Both are worth bringing. Gloves protect your hands from stinging nettles and thorns when you grab vegetation for balance. Gaiters keep mud, safari ants, and nettles out of your boots and trousers. Many upmarket lodges lend gaiters, and long socks pulled over your trouser cuffs are a workable substitute.
Can I bring a camera on a gorilla trek? +
Yes, cameras and phones are welcome, but flash is strictly prohibited. The forest is dim, so a lens with a wide aperture (f/2.8 or f/4) helps, and a 70 to 200 mm zoom covers most situations from the 10-meter viewing distance. Drones are not allowed in the parks.
Is the packing list different for Uganda and Rwanda? +
The core list is the same. Bwindi in Uganda is wetter and denser, so gaiters and a proper rain jacket matter more. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is higher and colder in the morning, so a warm layer matters more. Uganda uses British-style Type G plugs and Rwanda uses European-style Type C and J plugs.
What does the lodge or park provide? +
A carved walking stick is provided free at the trailhead or by your lodge. Most lodges supply a packed lunch and drinking water, and many upmarket lodges lend gaiters, rain ponchos, and daypacks and clean your boots after the trek. Porters are hired at the trailhead for $10 to $20.
Updated November 10, 2026