Rwanda
Uganda
Gorillas FAQ
Uganda and Rwanda: Packing List
Clothing
Ugandans and Rwandans appreciate those who dress modestly. Cotton clothing is the most comfortable during the day. Uganda and Rwanda are warm in the plains but often cold in the hilly and mountainous areas; a rain jacket, heavy sweater and boots are therefore essential.
Equipment for Gorilla Tracking
NOTE: It is best to have layers of clothing as temperatures tend to change. The guides will make you a walking stick if needed. On safari, luggage should be limited to two items of baggage per person.
Footwear
- Sturdy, comfortable shoes, preferrably waterproof. They will get dirty.
- Tennis shoes or sandals for lounging in the evening
- Comfortable, breathable socks
Clothing
- Shorts, mid-thigh or longer
- Lightweight, breathable pants
- Short-sleeved shirts, cool and breathable
- Long-sleeved shirt or sweater/fleece for evenings
- Rain racket and pants or rain poncho
Baggage
- Day pack, for you to carry
- Large duffel bag or backpack
Sleeping, for camping safaris
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad and repair kit
Other
- Water bottles, and water purification tablets or purifier
- Sun hat with brim
- Sunglasses
- Bandana (for dust, etc.)
- Money ($400 or more in cash and/or travellers cheques, including some small U.S., Euros, or Ugandan shillings and Rwandan francs)
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Camera, film/disks, mini-tripod
- Video camera, tapes
- Maps, guidebooks
- Batteries
- Binoculars
- Notebook, pencil and pen
- Pocket knife
- Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
- Playing cards, games, books, frisbee, football, kite
- Chocolate or pens for village children, momentos for guides and other travellers
- Umbrella, particularly useful in the rainy season
- Plastic bags and zip-lock bags for waterproofing
- Sewing kit
- Salt, pepper, spices for bland food
- Business cards
- Alarm clock
- Calculator (for currency conversion)
- Swim gear for hotel swimming pool
Toileries
- Toilet paper (and baggie to put used paper)
- Small towel
- Soap
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Handi-wipes (moist towelettes for cleaning)
- Hand sanitizer
- Lotion
- Glasses, contacts, solution
- Comb, mirror
Documents
- Passport
- Yellow fever certificate
- Medical insurance
- Address book
- Vaccination records
- Airline tickets
- Cash, travellers cheques, credit cards
- Maps, guidebooks
- Make copies of passport, airline tickets/schedule, travellers cheques numbers. Leave a copy with someone at home and put a copy in a separate place in your luggage.
First Aid
- Ibuprofin, Aceteminophen, or Aspirin
- Throat losenges
- Bandaids
- Moleskin
- Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Disinfectant, Antiseptic cream
- Bandages and tape
- Diahrea medicine
- Antihistemines
- Ace bandage
- Melatonin (1-3mg) or other sleep aid
- Malaria pills (talk to doctor)
- Antibiotics (talk to doctor)
- Prescription drugs (talk to doctor)
- Diamox (talk to doctor)
Gifts for Guides, Locals
- Shoes
- Any warm clothing
- T-shirts
- Hats
- Nerf football, frisbees
- Candy
- Pens