What to Pack for Uganda

Uganda Packing List

Essential Documents

• Passport (plus photocopies or digital scans stored securely)
• Travel insurance details
• Emergency contact list (printed and digital)
• Vaccination certificates (e.g. Yellow Fever – printed copy needed!)
• Flight, visa, and accommodation info
• Prescription copies (with generic names)
• Travel itinerary (leave a copy with someone at home and store one offline)

Money & Cards

• Cash in small USD denominations
• Local currency can be obtained from an ATM on arrival
• Bank/credit cards (notify your bank before travelling)
• Money belt/hidden pouch

Carry-On Essentials

• Yellow Fever certificate & printed visa (easy to access)
• Reusable water bottle (empty through security, refill before landing)
• High-energy snacks
• Toothbrush & mini toothpaste or mints
• Face wipes, mini deodorant
• Compact hair brush
• Touch-up makeup kit
• Lightweight, modest outfit (e.g. maxi dress, linen trousers + blouse)
• Fresh top or shirt (packable for arrival)
• Mini notepad & pen
• Phone, charger/cable, phone lanyard
• Scarf
• Eye mask & earplugs

Medication, Health & First Aid

• Personal medications (labelled, in original packaging, with prescriptions)
• Antihistamines (oral & cream), pain relief, anti-diarrhoeals, rehydration salts
• Antacids, mild laxatives, motion/altitude sickness tablets
• Adhesive & blister plasters
• Sterile gauze, antiseptic wipes or solution
• Saline sachets, cotton swabs
• Bandages (crepe, elastic), steri-strips, micropore tape
• Low-adherent dressings
• Thermometer, scissors, safety pins, latex-free gloves
• Optional: Sterile travel kit (syringes, needles, IV cannula)
• Lip balm with SPF
• High-factor suncream (SPF 30–50)

Insect Protection

• Malaria prophylaxis (consult your travel clinic)
• DEET 50% insect repellent
• Mosquito net (≤1.5mm mesh, hooks/string)
• Plug-in insecticide vaporiser
• Permethrin-treated clothing or spray
• Light-coloured long sleeves & trousers (for evenings/safaris)
• Anti-itch or steroid cream, freeze spray, aloe vera
• Fine-tipped tweezers, tick remover

Clothing & Footwear

• Lightweight, breathable clothing
• Light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing for evenings
• Smart-casual evening outfit
• Swimwear
• Scarf or sarong
• Quick-dry underwear & socks
• Sun hat & sunglasses
• Rain jacket
• Sturdy walking shoes/boots, sandals & flip-flops

Gorilla Trek Day Checklist

• Cap/Sun hat
• Light-coloured, long-sleeved top
• Long trousers
• Long socks (to tuck trousers into)
• Rain jacket
• Water bottle
• Gardening gloves
• Mask (to protect the gorillas who share 98% of our DNA)
• Sturdy boots
• Lightweight gaiters (not an absolute necessity)
• Small backpack
• $20 USD cash for Gorilla Trekking Porter

Toiletries & Personal Care

• Toiletries (razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, etc.)
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Hand sanitiser, tissues, wet wipes
• Nail clippers, file, scissors
• Small mirror
• Travel sewing kit
• Microfibre towel
• Makeup
• Handwashing soap sheets
• Spare glasses or contact lenses

Tech

• Travel adaptor (Type G – UK plug)
• Power bank + charger
• E-reader or book
• eSim / SIM pin tool (for switching SIMs)
• Headphones or earbuds
• Cloud backup set up before departure
• Spare SD cards

Food & Hydration

• Protein snacks (bars, trail mix, etc.)
• Electrolyte sachets
• Water purification tablets / filter bottle (Note: bottled water is provided)

Useful Extras

• Mini torch or headlamp (with spare batteries)
• Dry bag (for electronics/docs)
• Ziplock bags (waterproofing, organisation)
• Reusable tote or foldable bag (plastic bags are banned in Rwanda)
• Small travel umbrella
• Sink plug, travel detergent, laundry line (although most hotels can do laundry for you)
• Travel pillow
• Binoculars