The essentials
- Insect repellent
- Torch or flashlight, with spare batteries
- Wet wipes
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera and lenses
- Comfortable walking or hiking boots, and socks
- Gardening gloves (protects your hands on the gorilla/chimp trekking trail)
- Sandals or flip-flops for the lodge
- Hat and sunscreen
- Rain jacket
- Sweater or fleece (temperatures drop at altitude and in the evenings)
- Swimwear (most lodges have a pool)
- Binoculars (game and bird watching)
For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
- Long trousers you can tuck into your socks, to keep out ants and nettles
- A long-sleeved shirt in a neutral colour
- Broken-in waterproof walking boots with good grip
- Gaiters, if you have them, for muddy trails
- A small waterproof daypack
- A walking stick, though the parks usually provide one
Documents
- Passport valid for six months, with blank pages
- Printed or downloaded visa approval
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
- Travel insurance details
- Clean US dollar notes printed in recent years, for tips and extras
