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 is different than 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 that you will be doing on your safari. The gear and safari wear you need for the activities you will be doing. Another factor that needs to be considered is whether your safari will be a fly-in or drive safari. Since 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 will 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 that is bringing you to Uganda. Those coming from Europe are allowed a lesser weight allowance than those flying from North America.
Keep it down to the essentials for Packing for your African Safari in Uganda. The essentials 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
There is no need for you 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. If you do not have a duffel bag, sturdy suitcases will be simply acceptable, 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 give you 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.
If you have nothing else or prefer a suitcase, it is okay with us. The choice is yours to make. You will be on a private safari with no lack of space in the vehicle for luggage storage with us. The exception would be a flying safari.
The duffel bag gives you that added mobility on a safari, and it can easily be stored and making packing for your African Safari a lot easier.
Bulky suitcases are awkward to handle 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.
Pack or wear a Daypack for Gorilla – Chimpanzee Treks- Hikes-Climbs:
A waterproof daypack comes in handy since you can put various things into it, even on a safari drive. You can use it on game drives and keep your
important document 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 in 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 will need for the day’s activities.
The daypack is versatile and gives you the mobility needed. Do not leave home without it.
Wear a Money Belt: 
It is best to use those made of cotton so you can wear them next to your body and do not cause sweating is best for your comfort. It is nice to wear a loose shirt over it for security.
Money Belts worn over clothing and visible to people may leave you vulnerable, though they are readily available in stores. They can be slashed and stolen, while money belts under clothing are more secure.
Ensure it has a place for a passport or a copy of it – also include emergency phone numbers – International Immunization Card – keep that with the passport. Best to have it on you when you arrive or in the carry-on.
The need for money belts on Safari has diminished over the years as one can carry less cash and use ATM Machines. We still recommend it or keep all essential items, including money in a daypack that is always with you.
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 shirts 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 – show the dirt less and offer extra protection during nature walks, hikes, gorilla 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 – cotton or wool socks are good – they also offer protection. Merino Wool Socks are the best.
- 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: They will come in handy in places such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or in the highlands of Rwanda, where it gets pretty cold at night.
- Bathing suit: Pools are found mainly at up-market lodges; there are a few places where moderately priced hotels have swimming pools. In Uganda, you can swim in Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mutanda, Bilharzia-free, and have no 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, 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 and Rwandans in Kigali, Kampala, Entebbe like to dress “smart.”
Shoes – Boots Sandals: 
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 that all of your shoes are worn in and do not cause you to 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 you ankle support, security, and traction when you need it. 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 to wear be.
- 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 might need:
Be prepared – pack the safari necessities you need, and there are various ones 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 – You should include a copy of actual prescriptions if you need a refill or some other reason. 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. Ant-Bacterial soaps are available in most stores such as Lifebuoy 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 where no water is available to wash your hands.
- Sun-Blocker Cream -Uganda- Rwanda 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.
- 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 any other slight injury.
- Sanitary Pads if needed.
- Medicine Bag – a bag with all of your medications, vitamins, supplements, diarrhea treatment such as over-the-counter Du Korol (just in case), and more.
Safari Photography Equipment and Gadgets:
Here are some items that most think are necessary while on Safari. Forget most of those Airport Store Travel items – most of them are unnecessary. If you are bringing a tablet, smartphone, or laptop – think about surge protection while you are in Africa.
- Camera and associated equipment – Take a good camera with you and all the items that go with it. 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 a bit of work, and here are some tips.
- Batteries – Bring a complete extra set of chargeable batteries along with 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
- 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 Gorilla Trekking:
Suitable clothing for a Gorilla Trek is essential. We recommend dressing for protection against nettles, thorns, and branches. Gorilla Trekking takes place in the Virunga Volcanoes or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and being comfortable is most important.
Wearing shorts, or a tank top in Equatorial Africa might seem right to a Visitor to Africa. We suggest that 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 that the day of a safari or before are hard to change since they are locked in.
Plan B – be ready for anything – we give you advice 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 brought to the lodge 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, even 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, but they are still widely used.
If you have any questions about Packing for your African Safari, don’t hesitate to contact us.
