Gorilla and Chimp Trekking Footwear
Replies: 12 - Last Post: Feb 5, 2013 12:44 PM Last Post By: lisalin
jump to
Gorilla and Chimp Trekking Footwear
We've read on a number of the threads here that people recommend wearing the tall rubber boots that you guys have mentioned here. They sound like a good investment, but we're worried they'll take up too much space in our limited luggage space. Has anyone purchased a good pair in Uganda? Are they widely available? Any recommendations on where to buy them on the ground there?1
Do you have already normal trekking boots? Your best option are normal trekking boots (if you don't mind the trousers to get dirty). You can use normal trekking boots even if the mud reaches until your knees.Not to mention that you have a way better grip with trekking boots in most of the terrain.
(Talking about the trousers getting dirty. If you wear lightwight trekking trousers you can clean them with water afterwards, if necessary, and normally they will be already dry again 2 hours later. This really is easy going.)
3
Thanks for the responses, guys! Interesting that you didn't use the rubber boots -- I read other places that they would be useful. If we use regular hiking boots, is there a concern about feet getting too wet or muddy?Also, I was wondering how necessary gloves are when doing gorilla and chimp trekking? I read elsewhere that people recommended wearing gardening gloves to protect your hands from thorns. I don't have any idea where to get gloves like that here in Istanbul, so am hoping they're not terribly important. Are there lots of thorns to worry about? If so, I'll wear my old jacket instead of my new one so it doesn't get all torn up.
4
Hi,just wear your common hiking boots.
Never needed any gloves on tracking, so don't worry about them.
Only needed gumboots when trekking to Saybinyo Gorge, but we crossed swampy area most of the time.
I know the local people wear a lot of rubber boots, but you don't really need them on your holidays.
If you need something odd on your trip, try to hire them instead of buying.
Good luck
5
gumboots are the best option for bwindi forest, the rangers and guides all wear them and swear by them. the only problem is that they are difficult to walk in if you are not used to them and they can rub the back of your legs pretty bad. Most lodges and around 30% of the time the UWA have them to hire. Normal hiking shoes will be fine, but your feet will get soaked if it is raining and some of the things lurking in that water are not so good, so you might get a bit of issues due to that. Gumboots also help alleviate the safari ant issue which is very common in bwindi.i wouldnt bring any personally as they take up a lot of space, but might let a porter carry them for me if it starts raining to change into. there are also many rivers and streams in bwindi which i would like a pair of gum boots for. When i go in for research i usually wear gum boots, for trekking i usually wear sneakers or hiking boots. It depends if you have time after your trek to clean your stuff etc really as if you need to leave the next day then wet boots and trousers will be a bit of a pain!
7
Good/quality trekking boots have in the meanwhile all Goretex. So the mud can get until your ankles and your feet won't get wet.And a 2nd thought. If I make jungle trips in South America I always (only) wears sneakers. Nike sneakers.
And you hardly will ever see somebody in the jungles of South America wearing rubber boots. So why do it suddenly in Africa?
But as already mentioned. Normal (good, good = Gore Tex protection) trekking boots will do.
8
i work in bwindi forest and mgahinga national parks, most people wear gum boots who are frequent visitorsgore tex gets saturated by the mud which then penetrates its membranes, its called 'wetting out' and its something gore tex has a problem with. this is why people who regularly go to the forest usually wear gum boots as they are 100% waterproof. but like i mentioned, I find them very uncomfortable for trekking and prefer sneakers as I have time at home to dry them before i need to go into the forest again. Most backpackers dont have this available to them
10
Can anyone recommend a place to buy trekking boots in Kampala? Thanks!11
Owino Market is actually the best place if you have the time. Shoes here you buy new are usually very poor quality, the 2nd hand market will have donated shoes etc which are the actual real product, just a few years old. A pair of sneakers will be fine for what you want to do and you can get them at all of the markets. Hiking boots will be harder to find but they are out there. I got a pair of Salamon boots at Owino for about $20 and a pair of Asics running shoes for $13. Both are really good condition and are the genuine product
