What to Wear on a Gorilla Safari in Africa?

When you think of hiking, you are probably imaging a bunch of road-tested travelers with oversized backpacks hiking through epic mountains for weeks upon weeks at a time, or maybe, a pair of hobbits setting out on a worldwide adventure to destroy a ring of awe-inspiring power. Now, a lot of this will depend on how long your planned hike is and what sort of weather/obstacles/adventures you’re bound to get yourself into on the hike.

Wearing the right hiking clothes means knowing the type of trail you’ll be on, what the temperature and climate will be, and how long you’ll be outdoors. So, before you get dressed, take these factors into consideration to make your decisions accordingly.

One of the best ways to stay protected on  a gorilla safari from any changes in weather is to use a three-layer system of clothing. As your base, wear a lightweight, moisture-wicking garment. If it gets chilly, pull a light- or medium-weight fleece out of your hiking backpack, and then, use an outer shell to keep out any wind or rain. Comfy hiking shoes or hiking boots depending on the terrain, if you’re wearing boots, then wear one pair of thin cotton socks that will absorb sweat, and a thicker pair of hiking socks that you can pull up over your ankles a good ploy to help guard against snake bites.

• Map and compass /GPS
• The forest can often be wet and sometimes cool in the damp atmosphere. A light weight water proof jacket is advised.
• The decision to wear hiking pants or shorts is up to you, so let’s look at the pros and cons of both. Shorts give you ultimate freedom and are also cooler than pants, so if you’re going on a low-altitude summer hike, you’ll most likely be in good shape. Pants, which should be made of durable, quick-drying fabrics such as spandex or nylon (just as with your upper body, be sure to avoid cotton), should be worn if you expect any drop in temperature or heavy vegetation along the trail.
• Wearing pants keeps your legs protected from hazards such as poison ivy or other allergenic plants, and keeps you warmer when the temperature drops as you gain elevation.
• Good walking boots or shoes with long socks. Jeans can be tucked into your long socks to keep out any red ants while mountain gorilla trekking. Some areas of the forests also contain thistles or stinging nettles which can irritate the skin of the hands and arms when brushed against.
• We suggest long sleeve shirts and either a pair of light gardening gloves or a pair of socks pulled up over the hands and arms will suffice.
• Your boots will get muddy and we suggest you bring two small plastic bags to repack your boots in to protect your clothing from getting dirty in your case.
• A small back pack is ideal for cameras, water bottle among others leaving your hands free to negotiate the bush that you will be walking through.
• The forests are in Mosquito areas and you should consult with your pharmacist about malaria precautions before leaving home. Yellow fever vaccinations are also required and may well be requested for proof of this on your return home. You may wish to visit the International Centre for Disease Control for a more technical view on the health in these countries
• First aid kit
• A hat is a great way to keep the sun off your face and protect your head from direct, harmful rays. Some of the best hiking hats are full-brimmed, water-repellent garments that are extremely breathable and keep your head warm, and can keep the rain out of your face in the event of a storm.
• Rain gears are recommended even if there is no rain in the forecast; don’t forget to pack rain gears. The weather conditions can change quickly, so it best to prepared with a waterproof, breathable rain jacket inside your hiking backpack. These jackets use advanced technology to let sweat and body moisture out without letting rain or other precipitation in.

A reasonable level of fitness is recommended as you will be trekking through thick forest and you will also experience some gentle climbing.

Though viewing is limited to one hour there could be a few hours trekking mountain gorillas before finding their current location. You should be free of colds/flue among others as gorillas are not immune to human diseases. Travel insurance is always recommended.

Here are some of the tips and advice before hiking Mount Nyiragongo and trekking gorillas in Virunga National Park.

• The best piece of advice about this trip is to buy a walking stick at $5 piece of carved stick.
• Pack twice as many warm clothes and fuzzy socks as you think you’ll need and don’t forget gloves and a hat that covers your ears.
• Make sure to hire a porter because carrying a bulky bag up a volcano is sure to suck badly.
• Don’t give too heavy luggage to your porter and make sure you give the guy a decent bag to carry your stuff in. I’m sure they’re completely willing and totally able to carry up a rolling suitcase, but be nice and try to track down a decent backpack for your hike if you don’t already own one.
• You won’t need to cart up your own tent, pillow, or mattress because they’re provided but everything else is your responsibility right down to toilet paper and bags for your garbage so don’t forget these little things.
• If you’re planning on making a fire and hanging around outside of your tent a bit after your time up next to the crater, I’d recommend grabbing one of first two tents on the bottom level. There are three in a row and the first two tents have canvas in between them, benches, and a raised fire pit which makes a good place to hang out.
• If you’ve been sweating a lot, make sure to change out of your base layers at the small hut before the final push to the top. This is where things start to get really cold and you won’t want to strip off at the top, trust me.