Gorilla Trekking Permits Explained: How to Book in Uganda & Rwanda
Permits sell out months ahead and cost up to $1,500 a person. Here is exactly how, when and where to secure yours.
March 4, 2026 . Patience AtuhairePack light, pack neutral, and pack for cold mornings and hot afternoons in the same day. Here is what actually matters.
The colour rules
Stick to neutral tones, khaki, olive, brown and beige. Avoid bright colours and white, which spook wildlife and show dust, and skip dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies.
Layering
Game drives start before dawn and can be genuinely cold, then warm quickly. Pack a fleece or light down layer, a windproof jacket and items you can shed as the sun climbs.
Footwear
Comfortable closed shoes are fine for game drives, but gorilla and chimp treks demand sturdy waterproof hiking boots with grip, plus gaiters and gloves for the forest.
Electronics
Bring more memory cards and battery than you think you need, a universal adapter, and a power bank. Camp power can be limited, and the one thing everyone forgets is a spare charging cable.
Quick takeaways
- Neutral colours only; no white, black or bright tones.
- Layer up for cold dawns and hot middays.
- Waterproof boots for any forest trek.
- Spare batteries, memory cards and a power bank.
