What to Pack

Packing for an East Africa safari and gorilla trekking trip comes down to a few core principles: lightweight, neutral-colored clothing, layers for temperature swings, and sturdy footwear suited to the terrain. Stick to earthy tones like khaki, olive, and beige, and avoid bright colors, which can startle wildlife and stand out on camera, as well as dark blue and black, which are known to attract tsetse flies, particularly in savannah areas like Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Masai Mara. A warm layer, such as a fleece or light jacket, is essential for early morning game drives, since temperatures can drop noticeably before sunrise even in otherwise warm regions, while a waterproof rain jacket is worth packing year-round, as weather can shift quickly regardless of season. Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are enough for most standard game drives and short walks, and a daypack is useful for carrying water, sunscreen, and a camera throughout the day.
Travelers adding gorilla trekking to their itinerary, whether in Bwindi or Volcanoes National Park, should pack a few additional essentials beyond the standard safari list. Gardening gloves or thin work gloves are worth bringing to help push through nettles and thorny vegetation along the forest trails, and waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support are strongly recommended in place of standard walking shoes, since the high-altitude terrain is often steep, muddy, and uneven. Together, these small additions make the difference between a comfortable trek and a miserable one, and they're worth calling out separately on the site for visitors combining a classic savannah safari with a forest trekking leg of their trip.