We have watched enough guests arrive with the wrong kit to know exactly what matters. Here is the short version.
- Broken-in walking boots — gorilla trekking is steep, muddy and unforgiving of new shoes.
- A real rain jacket — not a fashion one, and not a poncho that will snag on every thorn.
- Gaiters and gloves — gloves protect your hands from stinging nettles, gaiters keep leeches out.
- Neutral coloured clothing — khaki, olive and beige. Avoid bright white and dark navy.
- Binoculars — 8×42 is the sweet spot for forest and plain.
- A headtorch — the thing everybody forgets, and lodges get very dark.
- Cash in small US dollar notes — for tips, crafts and the odd cold drink.
Pack soft, not hard — a duffel bag is far easier to fit into a safari vehicle than a rigid suitcase.
