Packing for your African Safari in Uganda – Practical Advice

Pack Light and Right – Bring only the Essentials for your Safari in Uganda.

Packing for your African Safari in Uganda that includes Gorilla – Chimpanzee Trekking – Hiking – Climbing

Packing for your African Safari in Uganda differs from packing for a Wildlife Safari in the rest of Africa. Most Safari Goers to Uganda’s primary focus is Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking, and such activities require that you pack things not needed for an ordinary Savannah Game Drive Safari. 

Packing for your African Safari in Uganda comes down to the activities you will do on your Safari. The gear and Safari wear you need for the activities you will be doing. Another factor must be considered is whether your Safari will be a fly-in or a driving safari. The luggage allowance for AeroLink Safari Airline is 15 KG or about thirty pounds. Packing light and right is the right approach when you pack for your Safari.

If you are coming for a Family Safari for children, what they need will be on your mind. You can check our Advice and Tips for Family Safari with young children and find help there.

You will need to check the luggage weight allowance of the airline bringing you to Uganda. Those from Europe are allowed less weight than those flying from North America.

Keep it down to the essentials for Packing for your African Safari in Uganda. The conditions you need to pack are what you will find on his page. We hope that you will need the advice and information that we offer.

Packing for your African Safari in Uganda – Keep it down to the Essentials

You will need sturdy Safari Luggage for your Safari

Packing for your African Safari in Uganda: You do not need to rush out and buy new Luggage for your time in Uganda. However, a rugged and durable Duffel Bag is best for your Safari, especially if it is a flying Safari. Sturdy suitcases will be acceptable if you do not have a duffel bag, even on a fly-in safari. Additionally, many duffel bags come with wheels, making it easier to move them. Duffel Bags are the best Luggage for a safari because they allow mobility.

Suitcases with wheels are harder to store in vehicles or Safari airplanes. Good safari duffel bags are the best choice for a safari. We suggest you combination locks on your Luggage since you might lose the keys and must break the ones on your Luggage.

It is okay with us if you have nothing else or prefer a suitcase; the choice is yours. You will be on a private safari with no lack of space in the vehicle for luggage storage with us, and the exception would be a flying safari.

The duffel bag gives you added mobility on a safari and can easily be stored, making packing for your African Safari much easier.

Bulky suitcases are awkward as you switch from one Lodge to another. Often there are steep paths and steps that you will encounter. Lodge Staff and your driver guide will assist you in getting to your room or cottage.

The ideal Luggage for your Safari is a duffel bag and a sturdy, waterproof daypack. 

You will need a Daypack for Gorilla – Chimpanzee Treks- Hikes-Climbs:

A waterproof daypack is handy since you can put various things into it, even on a safari drive. You can use it on game drives and keep your essential documents and valuables.

On a hike, nature walk, gorilla, or chimpanzee trek, a daypack is necessary to have where you can carry your needed water, lunch, snacks, and anything else you might need.

You can make the Daypack your carry-on Luggage traveling here to Africa, and then you do not have to pack it. It is best to pack your essentials for the first day of Safari Activities in case of lost Luggage and not cause any delay to the Safari.

While the suitcases are needed for your clothing and other essential items for your Safari, the Daypack is the most necessary component of your Safari. It will be a close companion to you wherein you keep valuables like money, documents or copies thereof, and things you need for the day’s activities.

The Daypack is versatile and gives you the mobility needed. Do not leave home without it.

Packing for your African Safari in Uganda – It depends on the Activities:

Safari Clothing to Pack:

What to wear on an African Safari? When it comes to your Safari Clothing, pack sensibly. Do not overpack; you are not moving to Uganda but coming for your African Dream Safari.

We suggest that you not pack and bring camouflage-type clothing. Anything resembling a military look will get unwanted attention. Equally, avoid the colonial gaze of Melania Trump while on Safari in Africa. Equally, do bring colorful Hawaiian shirts for a gorilla trek. Avoid bright colors while on Safari. That applies to safari activities. While relaxing at dinner, you might want to add a dash of color.

Neutral colors are best during the day and for safari activities. You should avoid bright colors; such colors tend to alert wildlife, distract them, and attract insects such as mosquitoes, tsetse flies, and other insects.

Blue and black shirts or tops are not recommended in Uganda or Rwanda on the Savanna during the daytime since they attract annoying Tsetse flies. Stick to neutral colors such as khaki, light brown, green, and tan.

• Long Trousers – though light and neutral colors are recommended, jeans are great – they show less dirt and offer extra protection during nature walks, hikes, gorillas, and chimpanzee tracking. Zip-on Trousers are used by many. Though you will be in the tropics, protecting your skin is most important.

• Long-Sleeved shirts or tops – for protection against insects, on walking safaris, gorilla, and chimpanzee treks, they offer protection against cuts from branches, vines, thorns, nettles, and insects. Use wrinkle-free items, especially with shirts.

• Socks – Merino wool socks are good – they also offer protection. Merino Wool Socks are the best, as many hikers already know.

• Shorts: We all love them, but if you go on a nature walk, hike, or gorilla trek, don’t use them – wear them back at the Lodge –we would not recommend wearing them at night unless you have sprayed yourself silly with insect repellent.

• A wide-brimmed hat is suitable to pack – you can buy one in Uganda at crafts stands, including straw hats that will keep the sun out and protect the face and neck.

• Underwear:  Buy some detergent in small packets, available almost everywhere, especially in small shops and wash it in your room; there is a taboo against washing other people’s undergarments, and we do not use a washing machine; the same applies to Bras.

• Pajamas will come in handy in places such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or the highlands of Rwanda, where it gets pretty cold at night.

• Bathing suit:  Pools are found mainly at up-market lodges; a few places where moderately priced hotels have swimming pools. In Uganda, you can swim in Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mutanda, Bilharzia-free, without crocodiles or hippos.

• Light Rain Jacket: During the dry season, you can have a rain shower in the Rainforests like Kibale Forest and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon foothills – Volcano Climbing. 

• Sweater:  In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, it will come in handy in the evening and early morning.

• One better dress or Slacks and shirt:  If you are staying one or two nights in Kampala or Kigali and when going out there for dinner, wear something nice that is not part of your safari attire – you get a lot more respect from Africans when you wear something celebratory and not a T-Shirt and Shorts. Ugandans in Kampala, Entebbe like to dress “smart.”

What kind of Shoes – Boots do I Pack for my African Safari in Uganda?

Leave the color white at home when it comes to shoes, except if you will wear them in Kampala. White sneakers and shoes show the red clay dust of Africa, and cleaning them becomes quite a chore.

In Kampala, Entebbe, and Kigali, if going out, wear shoes and make sure they are shined – once again, culturally, you get a lot more respect. Ensure all your shoes are worn and do not cause discomfort on the Safari, especially boots used while Gorilla, Chimp Tracking, nature walks, hikes, volcano, and Rwenzori Mountains foothill hikes.

• Light-weight hiking Boots: Bring a well-worn pair of light hiking boots for nature walks, birding hikes, gorilla treks, chimpanzee treks, hikes, etc. They provide excellent protection. Some people like to wear them most of the day; they give ankle support, security, and traction when needed. The sole of your boots will also protect you from thorns.

• One pair of good shoes:  You will need one pair of good shoes for the town on any occasion where it may be appropriate.
• Sandals:  They are plentiful around the Lodge and comfortable.

• Flip-Flops: Come in handy around your room – going to the pool where there is one. Please note you cannot wear flip-flops going out in Rwanda.

• Extra Shoelaces: You never know when you will need them.

Safari Necessities you need to pack for your African Safari in Uganda:

Be prepared – pack the safari necessities you need, which are listed below. When it comes to insect repellent – you might feel better if you have a bottle of RID – you can buy it online but not in a store in the USA. You can go to the UK. It is made in Australia. RID works against

One Gadget that comes in Handy is a reading light; bedside lamps are often missing – what to read – try one of our Gorilla Reads.

• Your prescription medicines should include a copy of actual prescriptions if you need a refill or for other reasons. This consists of any antibiotics given to you by your doctor, travel clinic, or anti-Malaria regimen.

• Insect Repellent – RID is the best all-around repellent since it works against mosquitoes and tsetse flies.   RID can be bought online. Buy the kind of repellent that you can also apply to clothes.

• Citronella Soap is there, but you might have to look at it again and act as an insect repellent. Antibacterial soaps are available in most stores, such as Detto or Protex.

• Wipes –Hand Sanitizers – You can buy them here, but they will be higher in price since they are imported and have duties. They come in handy while in the vehicle and without water to wash your hands. Necessary on the Gorilla Trek.

• Sun-Blocker Cream -Uganda is equatorial Africa, and the sun shines bright here – best protect yourself.

• Polarized Sunglasses –a good pair in a case for protection

• Extra Glasses – just in case you lose a couple of reading or prescription glasses 

• Swiss Army Knife – or a good replica with scissors

• Malaria Tablets – Malarone is the best; doxycycline is satisfactory and lower in price but makes you sun-sensitive – avoid Larium, also called Mefloquine, which causes nightmares and other side effects.

• Toiletries – a bag of what you need regarding toiletries, including soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and toothbrush.

• Small First-Aid Kit – a small first-aid kit is handy for a cut or slight injury.

• Sanitary Pads, if needed: 

• Medicine Bag – a bag with all your medications, vitamins, supplements, diarrhea treatment such as over-the-counter Du Korol (just in case), and more.

Safari Photography Equipment and Gadgets to Pack:

Here are some items that most think are necessary while on Safari. Forget most of those Airport Store Travel items – they are unnecessary. If you bring a tablet, smartphone, or laptop, think about surge protection in Africa.

• Camera and associated equipment – Take a good camera and all the items. Protect your lens from dust and have a lens cleaner with you – it is good to use a camera bag, and even better to cover the camera with a sealable plastic bag. Taking pictures of gorillas and chimpanzees takes some work, and here are some tips.

• Batteries – Bring a complete extra set of chargeable batteries and your charger – bring the cigarette lighter connection for your charger to charge your batteries in the safari vehicle.

• Memory Cards for Camera – Bring extra memory cards if you take many pictures and have a backup.

• Binoculars – There are good binoculars available – it depends on what you like, if you are a birder and other factors.

• Electrical Items – The voltage is 220 to 240 in Uganda. British Plugs are used-most lodges with electrical strips where you can charge your camera – in Rwanda is a European plugin.

• Journal – Keep a Safari Journal – it enhances your experience. Many use a laptop or a tablet to record their time on Safari.

• Flashlight – The African wild is dark at night – at times, in some places, the generators are turned off – others have solar lights and kerosene lanterns – it is simply wise to have a flashlight – keep it on the light side.

What to Wear for Gorilla Trekking-Thing you need to pack and bring:

Suitable clothing for a Gorilla Trek is essential, and we recommend dressing for protection against nettles, thorns, and branches. Gorilla Trekking occurs in the Virunga Volcanoes or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; comfort is most important.

Wearing shorts or a tank top in Equatorial Africa might seem right to a Visitor to Africa. We suggest you look at what Rangers, Trackers, and Porters are wearing, clothing that will protect them against annoyances, including proper footwear since you will need traction.

When you are packing, consider the activities you Will Be doing.

What to Wear Chimpanzee Trekking:

What to wear on Hiking – Climbing Safaris:

In Case of Lost Luggage – Here is Plan B:

It rarely happens, but it does happen. Here are suggestions for your Safari to keep going despite lost Luggage. On our side, we are dealing with Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permits and Safari Lodge Bookings. Many things are hard to change on the day of a safari since they are locked in.

Plan B – be ready for anything – we advise you about carry-on Luggage and what to wear on the plane. You are not headed for a fashion show but a safari in Uganda or Rwanda, and you are ready…

Your missing or lost luggage is usually brought to you in one or two days, and we arrange that it is got to the thLodgege where you are staying.

Lost Luggage – resort to Plan B

Pack with Purpose:  If you have any spare room left – take a few children’s books, deflated soccer balls, dolls, stethoscopes, t-shirts, crayons, and colored pencils to give away during your time in Uganda. Such things will be greatly appreciated.

What not to take on Safari to Rwanda:  Please note that plastic shopping bags, and sacks, are not allowed in Rwanda. Suppose you are driving with us into Rwanda from Uganda – customs checks for plastic bags. Uganda now has a law against plastic bags, which are still widely used.

Packing for your African Safari in Uganda – Practical Advice _Our Take

Speaking for your African Safari in Uganda, you need to prioritize practicality. To combat the soaring temperatures in this region, it’s crucial to pack comfortable and breathable clothing – think light cotton shirts and shorts. Don’t forget to bring a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays.

It’s essential to include insect repellent and sunscreen to ensure your safety and comfort throughout your adventure. Additionally, a well-stocked first aid kit and any necessary medications are necessary for emergencies.

Since there will be a lot of walking, packing comfortable shoes is crucial. Ensure you bring a pair of sturdy sneakers or hiking boots that have been broken in ahead of time. Lastly, don’t forget to bring a camera to capture all of your journey’s incredible sights and sounds. With these essentials, you’ll have an unforgettable experience on your African Safari.

If you have any questions about Packing for your African Safari, don’t hesitate to contact us.