RWANDA “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
www.shadowsofafrica.com
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erhaps best known for the famous gorillas in the mist, Rwanda has enchanted and intrigued people from around the world for decades. Dwelling in the fog shrouded Volcanoes National Park, these gentle giants with their almost human behavior are something that many travelers dream about someday encountering. But there’s so much more to Rwanda than its iconic apes. Travel south to Nyungwa National Park and you’ll encounter humanity’s closest living relatives, the impossibly intelligent chimpanzees with their expressive faces and endearing personalities. In fact, Rwanda is home to an astonishing number of primate species that range from the gigantic mountain gorillas all the way down to lesser known (but no less beautiful) colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and golden monkeys. The country’s vast freshwater lakes are perfect for water sports or simple relaxation, while Akagera National Park in the country’s east offers a more traditional African safari experience for this wishing to chase lions, elephants, and more across the savannah.
Why RWANDA
Beyond the dense forests with their primate inhabitants, Rwanda offers a fascinating glimpse into both the worst of humanity and humanity’s power to heal after tragedy. The notorious events of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide are still fresh in the minds of many travelers, and no trip to the Land of 1000 Hills would be complete without visiting the sights of the genocide’s atrocities and contrasting this with the friendly and harmonious country that exists a shade over twenty years later.
When
to visit Rwanda
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ike many equatorial countries, Rwanda experiences wet and dry seasons rather than the conventional four seasons. Rwanda’s altitude and proximity to the equator means that it is warm and pleasant throughout the year, but also experiences a great deal of rain. Rwanda’s long rainy season stretches from March to May, with rain that is both heavy and persistent. There is also a short rainy season between October and November. The long dry season (June to mid-September) is considered the best time to visit Rwanda, with less rain but not necessarily less cloud cover. Even in the dry season, there is still a chance you’ll experience light showers. For gorilla trekking, the best time to visit is in either of the dry seasons (June to mid-September or December to February), as the hiking conditions are less humid and there is less chance of having to deal with potentially malaria carrying mosquitos For chimpanzee trekking, however, the best time of the year to visit is during the long rainy season (March to May), when food becomes easier to find and the chimpanzees to not have to roam so far each day. For lake vacations, the dry season from June to mid-September or December to February is the best time to go for clearer weather.
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Rwanda EVENTS
The gorilla naming ceremony Held every June in Kinigi is an interesting cultural festival that goes beyond the simple naming of the newest addition to the various gorilla families in the region. Traditional music, dance, and crafts are available in spades, and visitors have the opportunity to do their part for gorilla conservation by sponsoring one of the newly named gorillas.
Hillywood film festival
Held in Kigali each July, aims to be one of Africa’s premier film festivals. Inviting the best and brightest film-makers from across Africa, the festival features screenings, workshops, and the opportunity to interact with the directors and actor
Kigali is up
An annual Rwandan musical festival held in Kigali each September. Rwandan folk music, R&B, and pop are represented alongside international acts. It’s a great opportunity to experience Rwandan culture, and particularly youth culture.The Festival Arts Azimuts (FAAZ) is a celebration of Rwandan arts held each October. Celebrating everything from sculpture to music, from theatre to digital art – FAAZ features exhibitions, talks from inspiring artists, and interactive workshops.
Festival arts azimuts (FAAZ)
The Festival Arts Azimuts (FAAZ) is a celebration of Rwandan arts held each October. Celebrating everything from sculpture to music, from theatre to digital art – FAAZ features exhibitions, talks from inspiring artists, and interactive
VOLCANOES National Park
Size: 160 square kilometres.
Location: Two hours North West of Kigali. Best Time: Dry season (June to mid-September) To Do: Gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, hiking, Dian Fossey grave site visit, cultural visits, and Musanze Caves hike. Known For: Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
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ominated by five towering volcanoes, the heavily forested Volcanoes National Park is the jewel in Rwanda’s national parks,a stunning mist-shrouded forest that is home to over half of the world’s extant gorilla population. With its population of over 300 mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park draws thousands of visitors each year eager to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat. With twenty family groups in the park, visitors are able to meet members of ten groups, while the other ten are kept away from tourists so as to be studied. Also within the park is the final resting place of gorilla researcher and anti-poaching activist, Dian Fossey, a woman whose work raised awareness of the plight of gorillas and ultimately led to her murder.
VULCANOES NATIONAL PARK ACTIVITIES Visitors to Volcanoes National Park hoping to spend a magical hour with the legendary gorillas in the mist will undoubtedly pass through and stay in Musanze, a quaint mountain town with a wealth of interesting activities to enjoy.
Gorilla Nest Golf Course
For lovers of golf, there are few golf courses on earth more picturesque than the Gorilla Nest. Attached to the Gorilla Nest Lodge, this nine hole golf course is set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Virunga Volcano and the Volcanoes National Park.
Village Walk
A walk through a local farming community is a great way to get in a little exercise and gain an invaluable insight into local life in modern Rwanda.
Whether you’re just enjoying the serenity on the lake shore or taking a guided canoe ride out on the water, the twin lakes are a blessedly cool escape from the jungle heat.
Dian Fossey Grave Site Visit
A visit to the grave site of Dian Fossey and her companion, Digit is a must for anybody with a passion for gorillas or conservation. This five hour guided hike takes you to where Fossey and Digit were buried. Located within the Volcanoes National Park
Seeing how modern Rwandans live and work Red Rock Cultural Center away from the hustle and bustle of Kigali and Musanze town’s tourism driven economy gives Part hostel and part cultural exchange, a very different impression of the country. Red Rocks is a popular tourist stop due to
Buhanga Sacred Forest
Home to a brilliant array of birds and butterflies, this small but beautiful patch of forest is criss-crossed by a number of trails and viewing platforms for those wishing to hike or soak in the area’s considerable natural beauty.
Visit Musanze Cave
Home to a large bat colony, this 2 kilometre long volcanic cave was created approxmately 65 million years ago.The cave’s large entrance is draped in jungle greenery, making for a dramatic photo
the large variety of activities available to visitors.You can learn how to make traditional Rwanda handicrafts, brew your own banana beer, visit nearby villages, prepare your own Rwandan lunch, or simply enjoy interacting with the locals.
Twin Lakes
Closer to Musanze than Lake Kivu, the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera are often over looked but rarely unappreciated by those who make the time to visit them. opportunity before descending into the darkness for a guided tour.
NYUNGWE National Park
Size: More than 1,000 square kilometres, Location: Three hours South West of Kigali. Best Time: Wet Season (March to May). To Do: Chimpanzee trekking, nature walks, bird watching, Canopy Walk, hiking, and cultural activites. Known For: Chimpanzees.. Known For: Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
NYUNGWE ACTIVITIES Nature walk - 7 different trails
Ranging in length from two hours all the way up to thirteen hours, each of Nyungwe’s nature walks boasts something different to see or do along the way. Whether you take the Mahogany Trail and relax by a waterfall or the Irebero Trail for its stunning views of distantLake Kivu, each of these trails is a distinct adventure.
Other primates
While the park is most famous for its chimpanzee population, there are in fact 13 species of primates who dwell within the park.You can also spot Colobus Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, and the rare Owl-Faced Monkey within the park.Colobus Monkeys can be seen while on a guided walk, while the other species can be spotted by the lucky explorer on one of the park’s wilder nature walks.
Tea Plantation & Factory Visit
Learn how tea makes it from the field to your cup with this half-day trip.You’ll see how tea is picked and prepared for sale, learn about the different parts of the plant, and even get to sample a variety of locally grown and prepared teas. Water fall walkEnjoy a picturesque walk through Nyungwe National Park on this 3-4 hour round trip journey to a spectacular waterfall. Along the way, you’ll get to see firsthand the park’s amazing variety of bird and plant life, and may even have the opportunity to see some of the park’s resident primates such as mountain monkeys and Colobus monkeys.
Canopy Walk
Take a ninety minute walk through the treetops on East Africa’s longest elevated
walkway. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of the Nyungwe National Park and its diverse plant and animal life. Suspended 65 metres above the forest floor, you’ll get stunning aerial views as well as an up close look at the park’s bird and butterfly life. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some of the park’s primates swinging from tree to tree.
Bird watching
With over 300 species of bird life, Nyungwe National Park is a birder’s dream. With species ranging from the iconic turaco, the stunning regal sunbird, and the Rwenzori Bati. With a large number of species endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley, you’ll see birds only visible in this region of Africa.
AKAGERA National Park
Rwanda`s safari destination, Akagera is a small park on the eastern side of the country perfect for a day trip from or an extended visit.Home to some of Africa most well knows animals, Akagera offers visitors to Rwanda the opportunity to see elephants, leopards, giraffes and hippopotamus in the wild Nearby Muhazi is a quaint lakeside town offering seafood, cultural activities, cafes & restaurants, and activities to entertain once your safari done
Size: 1,122 square kilometres. Location: Two hours east of Kigali. Best Time: Year round. To Do: Game drives, bird watching, and fishing. Known For: Game drives.
accommodation in RWANDA
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hadows of Africa offers four distinct tiers of accommodation designed to suit all budgets and tastes. Ranging from traditional camping out under the stars all the way up to the ultra-luxurious, your safari can be designed to use only one tier of accommodation or to mix and match. Shadows of Africa provides bookings for both traditional lodges and tented camps. Far from being a tent pitched under the stars, tented camps can be every bit as luxurious as traditional hotel accommodations. Most tented camps include private bathroomfacilities, king sized beds, gourmet food, and WiFi access where possible. Far from roughing it, they’re every bit as luxurious as a hotel built with bricks and mortar.
Ultra Luxury
Featuring world renowned luxury brands, this tier of accommodations offers the very best of service and the very best of facilities. If you’re looking for something truly special in your accommodation, the Ultra Luxury tier of accommodation provides just that. Ranging from traditional lodges to extravagant tented lodges under the stars, Ultra Luxury is for those seeking the absolute best Africa has to offer.
Luxury
For those who want the five star experience without paying five star prices, our Luxury tier offers lodges and tented camps that can boast magnificent views, spacious rooms, excellent service, and stunning wildlife viewing. The equivalent to a four or five star hotel, our Luxury accommodation partners can be expected to offer such diverse services as spa facilities, nightly entertainment, world class cuisine, and more! Our luxury lodges are as diverse as the landscapes of Rwanda, ranging from the forest shrouded lodges of Volcanoes National Park to the legendary ‘Hotel Rwanda’ in Kigali.Many different options, but all of which offer top level service at affordable prices.
Kigali RWANDA
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wanda’s capital is a green, clean city that is fast becoming the envy of cities across not only Africa, but the world. Visitors often describe Kigali not only as Africa’s cleanest city, but also its safest. It’s a truly modern city just begging to be explored.
An obvious reason to visit Kigali is its role during in the infamous genocide of 1994,and there are numerous sites within the city to commemorate the darkest days in the nation’s history including the Genocide Memorial Centre and a number of massacre sites.
There’s so much more to Rwanda’s capital than its dark past however, from its diverse selection of galleries to bustling markets and its growing Muslim quarter. World class restaurants, quaint cafes, walking tours, and the all-important wheels of government can also be experienced.A perfect place from which to launch day tours to nearby towns or even Akagera National Park, Kigali is a charming city with a lot to love about it.
KIGALI ACTIVITIES Presidential Palace Museum
The former home of Habyarimana Juvenal, the Presidential Palace today offers visitors a chance to see how the president lived and died – as his plane crashed into his own compound in the hours before the 1994 Genocide. Visitors can tour the former state house, see the wreckage of the fateful plane crash that was one of many triggers for the Rwandan Genocide, and learn more about post-monarchy Rwandan history.
Genocide Memorial
No visit to Rwanda would be complete without paying a visit to the Genocide Memorial. Part heartfelt tribute and part educational experience, this memorial recounts the tale of the infamous 1994 Rwandan Genocide, discusses
Food & Craft Market Tour
Learn more about contemporary life in Rwanda by taking a tour of the local food and craft markets. You’ll see local produce as residents practice their bartering skills. The Kigali Craft Markets are an excellent way to familiarize yourself with traditional Rwandan arts and crafts, as well as being a great place to do some souvenir shopping. the work being done to heal the country today, and offers a window into the people whose lives were irreversibly changed by the Genocide.
Kandt House Museum of Natural History
Built by German explorer, Richard Kandt, the Kandt House Museum of Natural History has special significance as the first modern house built in what is today Rwanda.This historic home is also home to an exhibition that aims to document the natural beauty of Rwanda from its geology all the way to its flora and fauna.
Millennium Village
For those wanting a window into the 1994 Genocide and the repercussions of the tragic event, a visit to the Millennium Village offers a window into both Rwanda’s past and present.You’ll start your day paying a visit to the Nyamata and Ntaima Churches, both of which were sites of true horror during the Genocide. You’ll then visit the Reconciliation Village, where the perpetrators and victims of the 1994 Genocide live side by side as a part of the healing process. You’ll not only speak with these brave individuals, but also learn about how they manage to co-exist despite their tortured pasts.
GORILLA TREKKING what you need to know
Seeing the enigmatic mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a life-changing experience; something that you’ll forever remember. Lead by a highly trained guide, you’ll trek through dense rainforest in search of a gorilla family to observe. As you see the young gorillas race about playing, the females cooing over their babies, and the brash posturing of a silverback, you’ll begin to understand the enduring fascination with these almost human creatures. It truly is a bucket list worthy experience. Before you embark on your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trek, there are a few things you should know. Unlike a game drive, you’re much closer to the action when on a gorilla trek. Read on to learn the important things you should know before paying a visit to these gentle giants.
About mountain GORILLAS
Despite their size, mountain gorillas do not range widely, and tend to keep to a relatively small area of their habitat.
A subspecies of the Eastern gorilla (the other Best Time to Visit being the lowland gorilla), the mountain gorilla is the largest primate in the world, and also one of the most endangered. Poaching While it is possible to go gorilla trekking and habitat destruction has led to a situation throughout the year, the dry season tends to in which there are only 840 mountain gorillas be the best time to enjoy a gorilla trek. Not only does the wet season tend to make for remaining in the wild, with the majority of more difficult hiking conditions, but the rain these residing in Rwanda and Uganda. also encourages the gorillas to seek shelter – making them harder for you to observe. Unlike the smaller primates that spend a great deal of their lives in trees, mountain gorillas are ground-dwellers who prefer to live in open canopy forests where light reaches the forest floor. They are herbivores whose diet consists of roots, leaves, vines, stems, and bamboo.
Despite being capable of bipedal movement, gorillas are predominantly knuckle walkers who move about on all fours. Females choose their breeding partners based on their ability to protect them, and groups of gorillas range in size from anywhere between a mated pair to up to thirty individuals. On average, ‘families’ of gorillas are comprised of nine gorillas.
Depending on the country you are in, wet season falls during different months. Rwanda: The short wet season is from October to November, while the long wet season stretches from mid-March through to June.
Fitness & Health It is not possible to predict ahead of time just how long you’ll be hiking before you encounter a gorilla family. Some people spend as little as 40 minutes hiking before they come across gorillas, while others can spend up to seven hours.
Male mountain gorillas stand approximately For this reason, it is recommended that all gorilla trekkers be in good physical and mensix feet tall and can weigh up to 200 kilotal condition. grams, while females are smaller at under five feet in height and weighing around 100kgs.
Rules & Codes of Conduct As gorillas are wild animals and an endangered species, there are a number of rules that must be followed when tracking them and observing them. At all times, you must obey all instructions given by your guide. Your guide knows the gorillas very well, and will direct you as to where it is safe to stand. Keep a minimum distance of 7 metres between you and the gorillas at all times. If the dominant male gorilla (silverback) approaches you or charges aggressively, it is very important that you not back away. Remain where you are, low downward, and adopt a submissive, crouched posture. Never make any sudden moves or loud noises. If approached by a young gorilla, never touch it! Your touching a young gorilla might create a confrontation between your group and the dominant male. If a gorilla stares at you, do not hold eye contact. Look away and down. Never use a flash when photographing gorillas. Try to limit the number of photos you take. You must be in good health when tracking gorillas. Gorillas are susceptible to human borne respiratory infections and you put them at risk if you visit them while ill. Each gorilla family can be visited just once per day by groups of no more than eight people. Your time with the gorilla family is limited to a single hour. Smoking, drinking, or eating are not permitted within 200 metres of a gorilla family. Littering is strictly prohibited. Children under the age of fifteen are not able to join a gorilla trekking safari. While gorillas are not aggressive in the way that predators are, they are still wild animals capable of hurting people if they feel threatened. It is imperative that you follow all instructions your guide gives you. As these are wild animals, we cannot guarantee that you will see them. While most groups do encounter a family group, we cannot give refunds if you do not spot the animals. The fee charged goes to the park for the ongoing conservation efforts.
What to Wear The hike through the rainforest to reach the gorillas can be strenuous, so it is important to dress appropriately and comfortably for the trek.
You may also wish to bring your own first aid kit. While all of our Shadows of Africa vehicles have their own on board first aid kit, it never hurts to be prepared.
· Anti-malarial medication; · Painkillers; · Antihistamines for allergies and insect bites; · Cold and flu medication; · Anti-Diarrheal medication; · Medicines for rehydration after diar rhea or sunstroke; As temperatures can vary greatly during the · Insect repellant; day, it is also advisable to bring along a light · Sunscreen and lip balm; jumper and a light, breathable rain jacket or · Eye drops; poncho. · Moisturiser for treating sunburn; · Antiseptic lotion; You’ll also wish to bring along a small backpack · Rubbing alcohol; in which to store your extra clothing, water, · Bandages and plasters; lunch, and your photography equipment. · Scissors; While on your gorilla trek, you should wear neu- · Tweezers. tral coloured clothing that is comfortable. You may also wish to bring along water purification tablets and any medications you What to Bring take for any existing medical conditions. Due to the rugged nature of the land you’ll be passing through, it is advisable that you wear a long sleeved shirt, trousers, and a good pair of lightweight hiking boots to protect against scratches. You may also wish to wear protective gloves, although these are not necessary.
In addition to the aforementioned warm clothing and rain protection, there are a number of Don’t let the above list daunt you. Many of these items are only necessary in extreme other handy things we recommend you bring cases, but it’s better to have something and along with you on your gorilla safari. not need it than it is to need something and not have it! The below packing list is much the same as what you would bring along for a traditional game drive safari. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
A backpack; A warm sweater or light fleece; A windbreaker or waterproof jacket; Walking shoes or boots; A long sleeve dress shirt and trousers; Sunglasses; Hat; Sunscreen and lip balm; Insect repellant; Camera; Binoculars; Batteries and/or charger for your camera; A flashlight or headlamp; Guide books; Phone and charger.
What to Expect When Gorilla Trekking As the gorillas you’ll be tracking are wild animals, it’s accurate to say that no two gorilla trekking expeditions are the same. One group might get lucky enough to find their group almost immediately, while another may trek an entire day and come up empty-handed. Thankfully, visitors get to observe the gorillas more often than not. Due to the unpredictable nature of the gorilla tracking experience, it is important that all participants be of good physical health and come adequately prepared to tackle a hike of varied length and difficulty. Porters are available for a small fee. A porter can carry a single bag for you, making your travels a little easier. After meeting with your guide, you will travel on foot to the place where your gorilla family was last seen. The tracker will then examine the evidence in the area to discern in which direction the family might have moved.
As you move along, the tracker will examine footprints, scat, and other clues to get a clearer picture of where the gorilla family has moved. As gorillas are capable of venturing to areas virtually inaccessible by humans, the hike can sometimes get quite difficult – moving over rough ground, dealing with thorny or stinging undergrowth, or climbing up steep hills. Your guide will move at a moderate pace, as it is his job to get you to the gorillas with enough time to spend an hour with them and still make it back to the park gate before dark. While you will occasionally stop to rest and you’re welcome to pause to take photos, you should be prepared to move at a good pace throughout the day. When you draw near to your gorilla family, you’ll likely smell them long before you hear or see them. Your guide will move ahead making soothing sounds to ensure the gorillas that you are friendly, and will then direct you where best to stand. Following his instructions is important, as it is his job to ensure the gorillas do not feel threatened and act accordingly. He will position you so that you can be seen by the silverback. While observing the gorillas, it is important to maintain at least 7 metres of separation between you and the gorillas. If you are approached, it is important not to touch the gorillas. It is also important not to hold eye contact, use flash photography, or make loud noises. On occasion, a male gorilla may charge towards the group beating his chest, hurling vegetation about, and acting aggressive. It is crucial that if this happens, you do not back away. Instead, remain where you are, lower your eyes to look at the ground, and adopt a submissive posture. This behavior is rarely an actual sign of aggression against humans, and is instead a display of dominance. Your time with the gorillas is limited to one hour. This time limit has been carefully chosen to ensure the gorillas do not get too stressed. As used to visitors as the family groups are becoming, they often end the visits themselves after an hour by vacating the area. If you find yourself unable to complete the gorilla tracking for whatever reason, your guide will advise you as to whether you should return to camp with your porter or whether it is better to remain where you are and await their return.
CHIMPANZEES TREKKING what you need to know
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ending some time with our closest genetic relatives is a truly humbling experience, and it’s made all the more special by the hard work involved in getting there. Chimpanzee trekking is difficult work, but it’s thoroughly rewarding once you come upon a family of chimpanzees quietly preening, playing, and relaxing.
With their remarkably human behavior, chimpanzees are a fascinating species to observe in the wild. Before you head off into the forest in search of chimpanzees, read the below information so that you’re prepared
About Chimpanzees
Sharing 98% of our genes, chimpanzees are humanity’s closest living relatives. Possessing long arms, opposable thumbs, black fur, and bare faces, palms, and soles – they look and act a great deal like us. Perhaps this is a part of our enduring fascination with these great apes. Chimpanzees are highly sociable animals, living in groups of anywhere between 15 and 80 members. Like gorillas, these groups are led by a dominant male. Chimpanzees communicate using a complex mixture of body language, hoots, pants, and barks. They are capable of both bipedal (two legged) or quadruped (knuckle-walking) movement. They are also capable of moving at great speed over great distances through the trees, which is the area where they do the majority of their feeding. Chimpanzees primarily eat fruits and other plants, but are actually omnivores capable of digesting insects, eggs, meat, and even carrion. Their diet is almost as varied as the human diet. Chimpanzees are also one of the few animals in the world to make use of tools, using sticks and rocks to aid in their pursuit of food. Chimps are well-known for using sticks to dig out insects they wish to eat, and use rocks to smash open particularly tough fruits and nuts. Male chimpanzees can stand up to 1.7 metres tall and weigh approximately 70kgs. Females tend to be smaller and spend a great deal of their adult lives carrying around their babies.
Best Time to Visit
While it is possible track chimpanzees throughout the year, the best time to see them is during the wet season. While the rain tends to make the hike less pleasant, the abundance of water and food also means that the chimpanzees have to range much less to find sufficient food. For this reason, the rainy seasons is the best time to track chimpanzees. Depending on which country you’re in, the rainy season may vary. Rwanda: The short wet season is from October to November, while the long wet season stretches from mid-March through to June. Uganda: The wet seasons are March – May and September – November. Congo: North of the equator, the wet season is April to October. South of the equator, wet season stretches from November to March.
Fitness & Health
It is not possible to predict ahead of time just how long you’ll be hiking before you encounter a chimpanzee family. Some people spend as little as 40 minutes hiking before they come across gorillas, while others can spend up to seven hours hiking. For this reason, it is recommended that all trekkers be in good physical and mental condition. Chimpanzees are also susceptible to many of the viruses that affect humans, so you will not be permitted to go on a chimpanzee trek if you are sick.
Rules & Codes of Conduct
While they may look and act like humans sometimes, chimpanzees are still wild animals. It is essential that chimpanzee trekkers follow the below rules to ensure not only their safety, but the safety of the animals. • At all times, you must obey all instructions given by your guide. Your guide knows the gorillas very well, and will direct you as to where it is safe to stand. • It is important to keep a distance of at least 8 metres between you and the chimpanzees. • Do not eat around the chimpanzees. • Flash photography is prohibited. • No more than an hour is allowed with a chimpanzee group. • Chimpanzees require a great deal of freedom to move about. Do not corner them. • Children under the age of twelve are not permitted to go on a chimpanzee trek. As these are wild animals, we cannot guarantee that you will see them. While most groups do encounter a family group, we cannot give refunds if you do not spot the animals. The fee charged goes to the park for the ongoing conservation efforts.
What to Wear
The hike through the rainforest to reach the chimpanzees can be strenuous, so it is important to dress appropriately and comfortably for the trek. Due to the rugged nature of the land you’ll be passing through, it is advisable that you wear a long sleeved shirt, trousers, and a good pair of lightweight hiking boots to protect against scratches. You may also wish to wear protective gloves, although these are not necessary. As temperatures can vary greatly during the day, it is also advisable to bring along a light jumper and a light, breathable rain jacket or poncho. You’ll also wish to bring along a small backpack in which to store your extra clothing, water, lunch, and your photography equipment. While on your trek, you should wear neutral coloured clothing that is comfortable.
What to Bring
In addition to the aforementioned warm clothing and rain protection, there are a number of other handy things we recommend you bring along with you on your gorilla safari. The below packing list is much the same as what you would bring along for a traditional game drive safari. · · · · · · ·
Insect repellant; Camera; Binoculars; Batteries and/or charger for your camera; A flashlight or headlamp; Guide books; Phone and charger.
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A backpack; A warm sweater or light fleece; A windbreaker or waterproof jacket; Walking shoes or boots; A long sleeve dress shirt and trousers; Sunglasses; Hat Sunscreen and lip balm;