Packing for a Uganda safari requires more thought than a typical beach holiday or city trip. You will be moving between different climates and altitudes — from the cool mountain forests of Bwindi at 1,500 metres to the hot savannah of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls at 900 metres — and your days will involve physical activity, long drives, and early morning starts. This Uganda safari packing list covers everything you need for gorilla trekking, game drives, self-drive car hire, and camping in national parks — organised by category so you can pack efficiently and travel light. Book your Uganda car hire and start planning your trip today.
Clothing for a Uganda Safari
What to Wear for Gorilla Trekking: Uganda safari packing list
Gorilla trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park involves walking through dense rainforest for anywhere between 2 and 8 hours. The forest is wet, steep, and full of stinging nettles — your clothing is your primary protection.
- Long-sleeved shirt — lightweight, moisture-wicking
- Long trousers — thick enough to protect against nettles
- Waterproof jacket — rain is possible at any time in the forest
- Sturdy waterproof hiking boots — ankle support is essential on steep tracks
- Thick gardening or work gloves — for gripping vegetation on steep slopes
- Gaiters — highly recommended to keep mud and insects out of boots
- Hat or buff — for sun on open sections and insect protection
Colours: Neutral — khaki, olive, brown, grey. Avoid bright colours and white which can startle gorillas. Avoid black and dark blue which attract tsetse flies in savannah areas.
What to Wear for Game Drives
Game drives in Uganda’s savannah parks — Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley — involve sitting in a vehicle for 3 to 4 hours in varying temperatures. Early mornings are cool, midday is hot.
- Lightweight long-sleeved shirts — x3 to x4
- Convertible trousers with zip-off legs — practical for temperature changes
- Fleece or light down jacket — for cold early morning game drives
- Sun hat with brim
- Sunglasses — polarised for glare reduction in open savannah
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes or trainers for vehicle-based drives
General Uganda Clothing
- Lightweight casual clothes for evenings at lodges and campsites
- Swimwear — for hotel pools and Lake Bunyonyi or Jinja
- Light rain poncho — compact and useful on any day
- Underwear x5 to x7 — quick-dry fabric recommended
- 1 smart casual outfit for Kampala restaurants or business meetings
Safari Gear and Equipment: Uganda safari packing list
Optics and Photography
- Binoculars — 8×42 or 10×42 magnification recommended for wildlife viewing
- Camera with telephoto lens — minimum 300mm for wildlife, 500mm ideal
- Extra memory cards — at least 3 high-speed cards
- Extra camera batteries and charger
- Waterproof dry bag for camera equipment in Bwindi forest
- Smartphone with offline maps downloaded — Maps.Me and Google Maps both work
Health and Medical Kit
- Antimalarial medication — prescribed by your doctor before travel
- DEET insect repellent 50% minimum — essential for evenings at all parks
- Sunscreen SPF50
- Hand sanitiser
- Oral rehydration salts — for dehydration on long hot drives
- Blister plasters — essential for gorilla trekking days
- Basic first aid kit — plasters, antiseptic cream, bandages, painkillers
- Prescription medications — carry extra supply and keep in hand luggage
Camping Essentials for Rooftop Tent Safaris
If you are hiring a 4×4 with rooftop tent for camping inside Uganda’s national parks:
- Sleeping bag — lightweight down rated to 10°C for highland parks
- Pillow — small travel pillow
- Headlamp and spare batteries — essential for moving around camp at night
- Earplugs — helpful at campsites where hippos and other animals visit
- Padlock for tent and vehicle
- Biodegradable soap and shampoo
- Quick-dry towel
Uganda safari packing list: Documents and Money
Essential Travel Documents
- Valid passport — minimum 6 months remaining validity from entry date
- Uganda visa or East Africa Tourist Visa confirmation — print a copy
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate — required for entry into Uganda
- Travel insurance documents — including emergency medical evacuation coverage
- Gorilla trekking permit — print your UWA confirmation email
- Driving licence and International Driving Permit — for self-drive car hire
- Cross-border vehicle documentation — provided by Uganda Car Rentals for cross-border trips
Money and Cards
- US Dollars cash — widely accepted at parks, lodges, and for car hire
- Ugandan Shillings — for roadside markets, local restaurants, fuel stations
- Credit or debit card — for ATMs in Kampala and Entebbe only
- Carry sufficient USD cash before leaving Kampala — ATMs are scarce at national parks
Car Hire Essentials for Self-Drive Uganda
If you are doing a self-drive Uganda safari your vehicle from Uganda Car Rentals comes with insurance, spare tyre, and recovery kit as standard — but bring these personal items:
Navigation and Communication
- Offline maps downloaded to your phone — Maps.Me works well in remote areas
- MTN or Airtel Uganda SIM card — purchase at Entebbe Airport on arrival
- Power bank — for charging phone on long drives without power outlets
- Car phone mount — essential for navigation while driving
Comfort for Long Drives
- Neck pillow — for the long drive to Bwindi or Kidepo
- Cooler bag or portable fridge — ask Uganda Car Rentals about cooler box hire
- Snacks and water — carry extra water for drives through remote areas
- Wet wipes — for dusty murram roads where hand washing is unavailable
What NOT to Bring to Uganda
- Plastic bags — banned in Uganda, confiscated at the border
- Camouflage clothing — illegal in Uganda, can lead to arrest
- Drones — require special permits in national parks, not recommended
- Excessive valuables — leave expensive jewellery at home
- Single-use plastics — frowned upon at eco-conscious lodges and campsites
Book Your Uganda Safari Car Hire
A well-packed bag and the right vehicle make all the difference on a Uganda safari. Browse our complete 4×4 fleet, choose self-drive or with a driver, and contact us to book your Uganda car hire today.
