What to pack for a Uganda safari (the list we actually give our guests)

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.