Preparing yourself for trekking through the forest to meet the chimpanzees of Uganda is a must. Make sure you are healthy, wear the right clothes and pack lunch and enough water. Knowing what to expect is one of the most important aspects prior to seeing the chimps. On the whole, be respectful to the animals, the environment, the staff, and visitors. Listen carefully to the rules, and stick to them. Read more about what to bring, what to wear and about the rules in the forest.
What to wear on a chimp trekking in Kibale Forest?
Here’s a list of tips on how to dress for a chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park Uganda:
- Dress in layered clothes with natural colors in cool cotton or moisture-wicking fibers
- Wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts to protect your body from bugs and scratches
- Wear water-resistant, comfortable walking/hiking shoes;
- Pack gaiters to keep mud, sand, or water out of your shoes. The larger ones will keep the bottoms of your trousers dry. In fact, I wore gaiters on both chimp and gorilla trekking and was quite happy with it;
- Put a rain jacket in your daypack;
- Optionally a hat and/or scarf;
- Pack gardening gloves to protect your hands by grabbing the branches for support. To be sure, I took them with me in my daypack but in the end, I didn’t use them;
- Do NOT wear animal prints or military camouflage designs.
What to bring for a chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?
It’s good to know what to pack for the chimp trekking in Uganda or habituation experience.
- Bring enough water, since you can’t buy water during the trekking;
- Packed lunch and optionally energy bars as you will have your lunch inside the forest;
- Biodegradable insect repellant and sunscreen;
- Wet wipes or a small microfiber towel for rinsing hands and face;
- Mini first-aid kit with antiseptic and plasters
- Camera equipment and/or your smartphone;
- Rain sleeve to protect your camera;
- Rain jacket;
- Comfortable layered clothes.