The best boots for gorilla trekking are ankle high, fully waterproof, fitted with a deep lugged rubber outsole, made of leather or tough synthetic, and broken in over two to three weeks before you fly. Boots are the one purchase worth real money on a gorilla trekking safari. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda put you on steep red clay, hidden roots and off trail ground for anywhere from one to eight hours.
Boots for Gorilla Trekking and What the Terrain Demands
Ask anyone who has trekked in Bwindi what they would change and footwear comes up before anything else. Not cameras, not jackets. Boots.
The reason is that a gorilla trekking safari is not a hike along a maintained path. Trackers locate the family at dawn, then your group walks toward wherever they happen to be, and that often means leaving any trail behind and cutting through undergrowth on gradients you would not choose. Trek reports describe following a family straight down a hillside tangled with vines, which is a very different thing from a forest walk. The forest floor underneath is red clay, wet almost all year, laced with roots and old vines you cannot see through the leaf litter.
Four qualities decide whether a boot copes. Ankle height, waterproofing, outsole grip and fit. Everything else is preference.
If you only want the short version before reading the detail, the panel below matches the common situations to the kind of boot that suits them.
Ankle Support on a Gorilla Trekking Safari
A mid or high cut that sits above the ankle bone is the first thing to get right. The collar is doing real work every time your foot lands on a root at an angle you did not plan for, which on this terrain is most steps.
Rolled ankles are the most common injury on a gorilla trekking safari, and they happen on the descent rather than the climb. Coming downhill on wet clay, your foot slides forward, catches, and torques sideways. A boot that ends below the ankle offers nothing at that moment.
There is a trade off worth naming. High cut boots restrict flexion slightly and feel clumsier on long flat stretches. On four hours of Bwindi gradient that hardly registers, so take the support.
Weight sits on the other side of the scale. Heavy mountaineering boots are overkill here and tire your legs over a long day, while very light hiking shoes give up the support you came for. A mid weight trekking boot, the kind sold for wet hill walking, lands in the right place for most people.
Waterproofing and Membranes for Gorilla Trekking Boots
Waterproof is not negotiable. Bwindi is a montane rainforest with two rainy seasons, roughly March to May and September to November, and botanical surveys put annual rainfall somewhere between 1,400mm and 1,900mm, with some estimates higher still. Even the drier months of June to August and December to February bring showers. Beyond rainfall, the vegetation you push through holds water on every leaf, so your lower legs are soaked whether or not it rains that morning.
A membrane such as Gore-Tex, or any equivalent waterproof breathable lining such as eVent or a maker’s own system, is the standard answer. Full grain leather treated with wax performs comparably and often lasts longer, though it takes more looking after. If you are shopping by specification rather than by model, waterproof mid cut hiking boots with a Gore-Tex lining is the search that filters out most of what will not cope here.
Check the construction, not just the label. A gusseted tongue, stitched to the upper all the way up, stops water running in through the lacing area, and that is where cheaper boots leak first.
Breathability matters alongside waterproofing, since you are working hard in humid air and a boot that seals sweat in will leave your feet as wet as rain would. Nothing keeps feet perfectly dry for eight hours in a rainforest. The aim is slowing water in and letting vapour out.
Outsole Grip and Lug Depth for Muddy Gorilla Trekking Trails
Tread is where cheap boots fail on gorilla trekking tours. Smooth or shallow soles do nothing on wet clay, and the mud in Bwindi is slick and heavy in equal measure.
Look for deep lugs with wide spacing between them. The spacing matters as much as the depth, since tightly packed tread fills with clay within twenty minutes and then you are walking on a smooth mud brick. Widely spaced lugs shed mud as you walk and keep biting. Around four millimetres of lug depth is a sensible minimum to look for on a product page, and more is better here.
A heel brake, meaning a defined edge at the back of the sole, helps considerably on descents. Rubber compound plays a part too, with softer compounds gripping wet rock and root better than hard wearing firm ones.
Vibram soles are common on boots at this level and perform well, and searching for waterproof hiking boots with a Vibram lug sole is a quick way to narrow a long list. The brand name is less important than lug depth and spacing, though. Contagrip on Salomon boots and the in house soles on Keen and Merrell models do the same job.
Underfoot protection counts too. A stiff midsole or a shank stops sharp roots and stones pressing through, and a rubber toe cap saves your toes from the hidden stumps that catch every trekker at least once.
Boot Models That Suit Bwindi Conditions
No single boot is made for gorilla trekking, so what follows are models that meet the four criteria above and are widely stocked. Fit still outranks every one of them, so treat this as a shortlist to try rather than a ranking.
The Merrell Moab Mid GTX is the default recommendation for a reason. It is comfortable close to out of the box, which shortens the break in period, and the tread copes with mud. The trade is durability, since the fabric panels pick up Bwindi’s red clay and hold it.
For heavier support on the steep sectors, the Salomon Quest 4 GTX gives a taller, stiffer collar and a pronounced heel brake, which is what you want walking out of Nkuringo. It needs a longer break in and it is warmer, so it suits the wet months more than the dry. Salomon’s lighter X Ultra Mid GTX is the alternative for anyone who finds the Quest too much boot.
If you want leather that will clean up afterwards, the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid and Scarpa Terra GTX are both nubuck or full grain, both hold up to repeated soaking, and both wipe down rather than staining. Expect three weeks of walking before they feel right. The Asolo Fugitive GTX and Scarpa’s Zodiac Plus GTX sit in the same bracket, suede uppers over grippy rubber.
Wider feet tend to do better in the Keen Targhee Mid waterproof, which is cut generously through the forefoot and comes in wide sizing. Anyone wanting less weight on a long trek could look at the Hoka Anacapa Mid GTX, accepting a softer sole in exchange.
On a tighter budget, Columbia’s Newton Ridge Plus waterproof is the boot that turns up most often at trailhead briefings. It is heavier and less refined than the boots above, though it ticks the waterproof, ankle height and lug boxes, which is what a single trek needs.
Trekkers who have done Bwindi more than once tend to mention a few more names. Lowa’s Mauria GTX Flex has a loyal following on Uganda trips, with rubber caps at the toe and heel, a Gore-Tex lining and lace loops that spread pressure over the top of the foot, and you can browse the Lowa Mauria GTX Flex to see whether the last suits you. Seasoned hikers on outdoor forums also point to the Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo, a heavy leather backpacking boot that is more than a single trek needs but shrugs off years of mud.
Salomon has moved its lighter boot on to a fourth version, and the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is the one to try if the Quest feels like too much. Merrell’s Moab is now in its third version too, and for cold Rwandan mornings there is an insulated Merrell Moab 3 Thermo Mid waterproof. Below the Columbia on price, plain leather mids such as the Timberland White Ledge Mid waterproof and entry waterproof boots from Hi-Tec or Salewa can manage one short trek in the drier months. Check the tread depth before you trust them on Nkuringo clay.
If you would rather shop by type than by model, the table below sets the main options side by side.
| Boot type | Cut | Best for | Break in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light synthetic mid | Mid | Buhoma, dry months | About 2 weeks |
| Leather mid | Mid to high | Most sectors | 3 weeks or more |
| Stiff high cut | High | Nkuringo, habituation | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Insulated mid | Mid | Cold Rwanda mornings | About 2 weeks |
| Rubber gumboots | Knee | Wettest weeks | None |
| Trail shoes | Low | Strong hikers only | A few days |
Leather Versus Fabric Boots for a Gorilla Trekking Safari
Both work. Leather has one advantage here that has nothing to do with performance.
Bwindi’s mud is red and it stains. It washes off leather with a cloth and some water. It works itself into fabric and mesh and stays there. If you care what your boots look like afterwards, or you plan to wear them again on another trip, brown or black leather is the practical choice, and a pair of full grain leather hiking boots will see out many more treks than one. For the rest of the outfit, see our guide to safari clothes for men.
Leather is heavier and needs a longer break in period, which is the cost. Synthetic uppers weigh less, soften faster and dry quicker, and on a single trip they are perfectly adequate. If weight and a short run up to departure matter most, lightweight synthetic waterproof mid boots are the sensible search.
Steer away from pale colours whatever the material. White boots come back from Bwindi unrecognisable, and the same goes for white trainers, which turn a permanent shade of reddish brown after a single day on the roads around the park.
Women’s and Wide Fit Boots for Gorilla Trekking
Women’s hiking boots are built on a different last, usually narrower at the heel and lower in volume over the instep, and that heel shape is what stops lift on steep ground. Plenty of women do fine in a men’s or unisex boot, though if your heel slips in every men’s model you try, start with women’s waterproof mid hiking boots instead. Most of the models above, the Moab, Quest, Targhee and Renegade among them, are made in women’s versions. Men shopping for the same job can start with men’s waterproof mid hiking boots and filter by width and lug depth, since the standard men’s last is the one most boot reviews are written around.
Wide feet need a different search altogether. Squeezing a wide forefoot into a standard boot is the fastest route to blisters on the outside of the little toe and a numb ball of the foot by hour three. Look for boots sold in a genuine wide width rather than a “roomy” description, and filter for wide width waterproof hiking boots. Keen, Merrell and New Balance cover wide fits best across the mainstream brands, with Lowa offering wide versions of some leather models.
High arches, bunions and swollen feet on long flights all argue for trying boots in the afternoon and with your trekking socks, which is covered under fit below.
Gumboots Versus Hiking Boots for Bwindi Gorilla Trekking
Watch the rangers and porters at Buhoma and you will notice many of them trekking in knee high rubber gumboots, called wellies elsewhere. That is worth thinking about rather than dismissing.
Gumboots shed mud and water completely. Nothing gets in over the top, nothing soaks through, and you can walk straight through standing water without a second thought. Their height also blocks safari ants, nettles and thorny vines below the knee. In April or October, when the trails run like clay channels, that is a real advantage. They also cost very little and can usually be hired near the park. If you would rather bring your own, look for knee high rubber boots with a lugged sole, since smooth soled garden wellies slide on clay.
What they lack is arch support, a fitted heel and any cushioning. On a two hour trek in Buhoma that is survivable. On five hours of sustained Nkuringo gradient, gumboots will blister your heels and leave your arches aching, because your foot moves inside them with every step.
Opinion among operators is split, and that is useful to know. Some Rwanda based guides rate rubber boots highly for Volcanoes, where the ground is often wet bamboo and nettle beds rather than long climbs, while others steer every client toward hiking boots. Both views are honest. They are describing different treks.
The sensible split looks like this. Hiking boots for most trekkers in most months, gumboots if you are trekking in the heaviest weeks of the wet season, or if you have arrived without proper footwear and need something workable at short notice.
Boot Fit and Sizing for Long Gorilla Trekking Tours
Fit outranks brand, price and every feature listed above. A cheap boot that fits beats a premium one that does not.
Try boots on in the afternoon, when your feet have swollen slightly, and wear the actual trekking socks you plan to use. Thick merino socks change sizing noticeably, and people who size boots in thin cotton socks at a shop often end up half a size too small.
Check three things. Your toes should not touch the front when you walk downhill on a slope, since that is what causes bruised toenails on descent. Your heel should stay locked with minimal lift. The boot should feel snug across the instep without pressure points.
Many trekkers go half a size up for this reason. Do not go a full size, or your foot will slide and blister.
Buying online works fine, provided you order early enough to return a pair that is wrong. Walk around the house on carpet for an evening, try the stairs, and send them back if anything pinches. A boot that has only been worn indoors can still go back; one that has been up a muddy hill usually cannot.
Breaking In Boots Before Your Gorilla Trekking Trip
New boots on a gorilla trekking trip is the mistake that ruins the most days in the forest. Blisters inside the first hour, then five more hours to walk on them.
Two to three weeks of walking is the working minimum, and longer for stiff leather. Wear them for ordinary errands first, then progressively longer walks, and get some hills in if you can find them. Uphill and downhill work reveals heel lift and toe crowding that flat pavement hides completely.
Wear the socks you will trek in throughout. You are breaking in a system, not just leather.
Anywhere that rubs during break in will rub tenfold in Bwindi, so treat every hotspot as information rather than something to push through. If a boot is still hurting after three weeks, it is the wrong boot and no amount of persistence will fix that.
Insoles, Lacing and Blister Prevention on a Gorilla Trek
Small fixes make a big difference on a long gorilla trek, and most of them cost very little.
Stock insoles in many boots are thin foam. If you have high arches, flat feet or a history of sore heels, a pair of supportive hiking boot insoles fitted before you start breaking the boots in gives a firmer platform and often cures a fit that felt almost right. Fit them early, because they change the volume inside the boot.
Lacing matters on descents. A heel lock, sometimes called a surgeon’s knot or runner’s loop at the top two eyelets, pins the heel back in the cup and stops your toes sliding forward on the way down. Tighten the laces before the steep return leg, since boots loosen as you walk.
Then there is the blister kit. Tape or moleskin applied at the first warm spot stops a blister before it forms, and it weighs nothing in a daypack. A small blister prevention kit with moleskin and tape covers the whole trip. Pre tape any spot that rubbed during break in on the morning of the trek. Rangers will stop for a minute while you fix a hotspot, so ask.
Trekking Poles, Spare Laces and a Boot Bag for the Gorilla Trek
A walking stick does more for your boots than most people expect on a gorilla trek. On a muddy descent it takes weight off the front of the foot, so your toes stop jamming into the toe box and the heel stays seated. That is the same job the heel lock does, done from the other end.
Rangers hand out carved wooden sticks at most briefings, and they are fine for one walk. A pair of collapsible trekking poles packs into a suitcase and gives better control on wet clay, with rubber tips you can pull off for grip in soft ground. Poles matter most in the wet months and in the steep southern sectors. The guide to the best trekking poles compares the types.
Laces snag on vines and fray faster than you would think. A spare set of round hiking boot laces in the right length costs almost nothing and saves the second trek if one snaps. Then there is the mess. After the trek your boots go into a vehicle and then into a suitcase, and a waterproof boot bag keeps red clay off everything else you own. Add the camp sandals mentioned further down and the footwear side of your bag is complete.
Socks and Gaiters That Work With Gorilla Trekking Boots
Boots are half the system. What sits above and inside them finishes the job.
Tall merino or synthetic socks, reaching well up the calf, do two jobs. They cushion and wick, and they give you something to tuck your trouser cuffs into, which is the standard barrier against safari ants working their way up your leg. Cotton socks fail on both counts, softening when wet and blistering you. Cushioned merino crew socks from makers such as Darn Tough or Smartwool are the usual answer, and two pairs is better than one. In the wet months, pack two spare pairs in a dry bag rather than one. If you blister easily, a thin liner sock under the merino moves the friction between the two layers instead of onto your skin. Our guide to the best socks for safari compares materials, heights and how many pairs to pack.
Above that, knee high gaiters seal the boot collar against mud, seeds and insects, and shield your shins from nettles when the trail closes in. In the wet months they matter as much as the boots themselves, and waterproof knee high hiking gaiters are inexpensive enough that there is little reason to go without. Look for a height of around 15 inches, nylon or Cordura fabric, and a strap under the boot that will not snap on the first root. Trekkers in Volcanoes report that almost everyone in their group wore gaiters, and they are often available to hire near the park headquarters at Kinigi.
Bring a spare pair of socks in the daypack. Dry feet at the halfway point improve a long trek more than almost anything else you could carry.
Boots by Sector for Gorilla Trekking Adventures in Bwindi
Which sector you draw changes how hard your boots have to work.
There is more on what the harder sectors involve in the guide to Nkuringo gorilla trekking, and on the physical side in the notes on how long gorilla trekking takes and how fit you need to be.
Wet Season and Dry Season Boot Choices for Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking runs all year, and the boots stay the same. What changes is how much the extras around them matter.
A common question is what to wear for a Buhoma trek in February. That falls in the shorter dry spell, on the gentlest sector, so broken in waterproof mid boots, tall socks and a pair of gaiters in the daypack will cover it. A downpour can still turn the trail to grease within an hour, which is why the waterproofing stays non negotiable even in the drier months.
Timing your trip has knock on effects beyond footwear, and the guide to the best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda sets the seasons out in full.
Boots for Rwanda, Habituation and Chimpanzee Tracking Trips
The same boots serve every primate trek in the region, though each one leans on them differently.
On a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park, the walk often starts through farmland, crosses the park wall and climbs into bamboo and nettle beds on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Treks there run at roughly 2,500 to 3,500 metres, well above most of Bwindi, so mornings are colder and the ground is often wet and churned. Waterproof boots with tall gaiters are close to universal there, and anyone who feels the cold should think about an insulated mid boot and warmer socks. The guide to Volcanoes National Park describes the terrain zone by zone.
The gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi keeps you in the forest for up to four hours with a family still getting used to people, plus whatever time it takes to find them. That is the one trek where a stiffer, better cushioned boot pays for itself, along with insoles and a full blister kit.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale or Nyungwe and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes or Mgahinga are quicker paced and usually on flatter ground, though trails can be just as muddy. The boots you bring for gorillas are the right boots for those as well, so there is no need to pack a second pair.
Trail Shoes and Other Alternatives on a Gorilla Trekking Safari
Experienced hikers sometimes ask about trail running shoes, and the honest answer is that they are workable but not advisable.
Good trail shoes have grip and drain well, and a strong hiker who trusts their ankles can complete most treks in them. What they give up is ankle protection on exactly the terrain where ankles get hurt, plus any defence against thorns and nettles at the sides of your feet. Combined with gaiters and waterproof socks they become more reasonable, though still a compromise.
Sandals, open shoes, tennis shoes, golf shoes, canvas trainers and smooth soled walking shoes are all a poor idea. Rangers see them at briefings and they are the trekkers who struggle.
One more option worth knowing. Boots and gumboots can often be hired locally, subject to size, and some lodges and operators keep a stock for guests. That does not replace properly fitted broken in boots, though it saves a trip that would otherwise go badly. What can be hired, and where, is set out in the guide to renting gorilla trekking gear.
Cleaning, Drying and Re Waterproofing Boots on a Gorilla Safari
Most lodges near the trailheads will clean boots for guests after a trek, often without being asked. Take them up on it, because red clay dried hard in the lugs is miserable to chip out the next morning.
Dry boots slowly. Pull the insoles, loosen the laces wide, and stuff the boots with newspaper, changing it once or twice through the evening. Keep them away from fires and heaters, since direct heat cracks leather, weakens glue and can separate a sole.
Waterproofing wears off with use, and repeated mud does it faster. Before the trip, and again afterwards, wash the boots and treat the uppers. A waterproofing spray for leather and fabric boots suits mixed material uppers, while all leather boots take wax better. Either way, water should bead on the surface rather than darken the material.
If you have two treks on consecutive days, a pair of camp sandals or light shoes for the evening lets the boots dry properly overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gorilla Trekking Boots
How much should I spend on boots for gorilla trekking?
Think in tiers rather than figures. Entry level waterproof hiking boots from mainstream outdoor brands handle a single trek provided the tread is deep and the cut sits above the ankle. The mid tier is where most trekkers should shop, giving better membranes, stiffer soles and a proper heel brake, and it is enough for the steep sectors. The premium leather tier buys durability across many trips rather than better performance on one. At the other end, rubber gumboots are cheap locally and can often be hired near the park. Spending more on fit and less on brand is the better trade.
Do I really need ankle support, or will low cut shoes do?
Ankle support does genuine work here. The ground is uneven, frequently off trail, and slick enough that your foot slides and catches without warning, which is how ankles turn. Low cut shoes leave that joint unprotected at the moment it needs help most, particularly on descents. Strong hikers do complete treks in low cut footwear, and some manage fine. For most visitors a mid or high cut is the sensible call.
Are gumboots or wellies good enough for gorilla trekking?
For short treks and for the wettest weeks, yes, which is why rangers and porters wear them. They keep mud and water out completely and cost almost nothing. The weakness is comfort over distance, since they have no arch support, no heel lock and little cushioning, so your foot moves inside them constantly. On a long trek in a steep sector like Nkuringo that produces blisters and sore arches. Treat them as a solid wet season or short notice option rather than a first choice.
How long do I need to break in new boots?
Two to three weeks of regular walking, and longer for stiff full grain leather. Start with short everyday wear, build to longer walks, and include hills, since gradient exposes heel lift and toe crowding that flat ground conceals. Wear the same socks you plan to trek in the whole time. Any spot that rubs during break in will rub far worse on a five hour trek, so treat discomfort as a signal that the boot or the sizing is wrong.
What socks should I wear with gorilla trekking boots?
Tall merino wool or synthetic socks reaching well up the calf. They wick moisture, cushion the foot, and reduce blistering across a long day. Height matters because you tuck your trouser cuffs into them, which is the standard barrier against safari ants climbing your legs. Cotton socks are a poor choice since they hold water, soften, bunch and blister. Pack a spare pair in the daypack for the halfway point.
Will my boots survive the mud, and how do I clean them?
They will survive, though they will not look the same. Bwindi’s red clay coats everything below the knee, which is why brown or black leather beats pale fabric, since it wipes clean far more easily. Most lodges will rinse boots for guests, which beats letting clay dry hard in the tread. Stuff them with newspaper overnight instead of putting them near a fire, because direct heat cracks leather and can separate a sole.
Can I buy boots in Uganda instead of bringing them?
You can find footwear in Kampala and to a lesser extent in Kisoro, and gumboots are widely available and cheap. Proper waterproof hiking boots in a full range of sizes are much harder to count on, and buying on arrival leaves no time to break them in, which is the whole problem. Bring boots you have already walked in. Local purchase is a fallback for a lost bag rather than a plan.
Should I wear my trekking boots on the flight?
Yes, if you can. Boots are the one item that cannot be replaced at short notice in southwestern Uganda, so wearing them on the long haul flight means a delayed bag does not cost you the trek. It also saves weight in your luggage, which helps if you are taking a light aircraft to Kisoro or Kihihi, where baggage limits are strict and soft bags are preferred. Check the current allowance with your airline or operator.
Can I go gorilla trekking in trail running shoes?
Some fit, experienced hikers do, usually with waterproof socks and gaiters, and they finish the trek. The risk is a turned ankle on a muddy descent with no collar to help, and wet feet from the first stream. If trail shoes are what you trust at home, choose a waterproof pair with deep lugs and accept the compromise. For everyone else, mid cut boots are the safer choice.
Do women need different gorilla trekking boots?
Not different in type, just in fit. Women’s versions of the main hiking boots are built narrower at the heel and lower in volume, which reduces heel lift on steep ground. If a unisex or men’s boot fits without slipping, it will do the job equally well. Try both if you can.
How long do gorilla trekking boots last?
A decent pair outlives many treks, since a gorilla trekking safari is only a day or two of hard use. Boots wear out from the sole and the membrane rather than by age alone. Replace them when the lugs have worn shallow at the heel and toe, when the midsole has gone flat, or when your socks come back damp after a walk through wet grass, which means the waterproof lining has failed. Old boots that have sat in a cupboard for years are worth testing on a long local walk before the trip, because glue and soles can give way once they dry out.
What to wear for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
The same base outfit as Uganda, adjusted for altitude. Waterproof ankle boots, knee high gaiters for the nettle beds, long trousers and a long sleeved top, gardening gloves, and a warm layer plus a rain jacket, since mornings on the Virunga slopes are cold. Colours should be muted greens, browns and greys. The full list is in the Rwanda gorilla trekking packing list, and the clothing side is covered in what to wear for gorilla trekking.
Which month is best for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
June to August and December to February are the drier months and the most popular, with firmer trails and less mud on your boots. Trekking runs every month, and the wetter months of March to May and September to November bring quieter forests at the price of heavier mud, which is when gaiters and deep lugs matter most. The guide to the best time to go gorilla trekking covers each month.
How strenuous is gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Moderate to hard, depending on which family you are assigned. Treks in Volcanoes National Park start higher than in Bwindi and climb through farmland, bamboo and nettles at roughly 2,500 to 3,500 metres, so the thin air is the main challenge rather than distance. Some groups reach their family within an hour, others walk most of the morning. Good boots with grip and a stick make the descent much easier. See gorilla trekking difficulty, length and fitness for more.
Which is better for gorilla trekking, Rwanda or Uganda?
Both are excellent and the answer depends on your priorities. Uganda’s permit is the cheaper of the two, at US$800 for foreign non residents against US$1,500 in Rwanda, and Bwindi holds more habituated families across four sectors. Rwanda is quicker to reach from Kigali, with shorter transfers. For your feet, Bwindi means steep, muddy valleys and Rwanda means higher, colder slopes with thick nettles, and the same pair of waterproof boots handles both. The comparison of Uganda versus Rwanda goes through the rest.
Continue With the Rest of Your Gorilla Trekking Gear
Boots are one piece of the kit. The full checklist sits in the guide to what to pack for gorilla trekking, which links every gear guide on the site, and there are country specific versions for Uganda and Rwanda.
For the layer that seals the boot collar, see gorilla trekking gaiters. For everything worn above the knee, work through what to wear for gorilla trekking, and for the shell, hands and pack see rain jackets, gloves and daypacks for gorilla trekking. Every guide in the series is collected under safari gear and clothing.
Plenty of travellers pair Bwindi with a savannah safari, gorillas first and then the Masai Mara or the Serengeti. Game drives need far less from your feet, so light shoes do the job there; the guide to what to wear on safari and the wider African safari packing list cover the rest of a combined trip, and mean your trekking boots are the only heavy footwear you need to pack.
