Accessible Gorilla Trekking for the differently abled

Tracking Gorillas by the differently abled, the elderly and seniors is possible despite the nature of the Gorilla habitat. Mountain gorillas are among the rarest large mammals on Earth living in 4 isolated places in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. The chance to see them in their natural habitat is offered to all people for as long as they are aged 15 and above.   Request a Quote

The rugged nature of the Gorilla habitat makes Gorilla trekking a physically demanding and challenging activity. However, you find all the effort worth after coming face to face with the Gorillas. Regardless of the tracking location, meeting the Gorillas involves trekking on foot through tropical rain forests in an uneven terrain.  This raises questions as to whether the differently abled, seniors and elderly people can take up a Gorilla Trekking Safari. The answer is yes, and it is very possible with Jungle Escape Africa.

Accessible Gorilla Trekking for the differently abled

Accessible Gorilla trekking takes into consideration the elderly, seniors, the disabled and even the handicapped ones. Whereas tour operators and national park authorities can implement measures to enhance accessibility, the impenetrable and fragile nature of the Gorilla habitat naturally restricts even the use of some walking gear like the wheel chairs. Sighting many challenges and limitations, efforts by the park authorities were made to cater for diverse needs and provide exclusive experiences. The differently abled have options below from which they can choose one that best suites them:

• Use of a Sedan Chair

A sedan chair or the ‘African Ambulance’ is the best option and makes Gorilla trekking easy for the elderly and disabled that are not fit enough to hike up to see the Gorillas. Literally, these Gorilla chairs are good for wheel chair users, visitors with limited mobility and the elderly. The visitor doesn’t have to walk on his own but is instead stretchered in and out of the forest using a sedan chair or the ‘African helicopter’, as some usually call it. This service is hired from $300 – $500 per day carrying one person per trek.

• Use of porters

Porters play a vital role during Gorilla trekking. They will be as important as a Gorilla permit when it comes to Gorilla trekking by the elderly and disabled individuals. Porters make the trek easier. They offer a push or pull in difficult areas of the hike as well as carrying your belongings like the packed lunch boxes, water bottles, rain gear and others. However, the use of porters has limitations especially for those that can hardly walk to the forest on their own. These should definitely plan to be stretchered. A porter is hired at $15-20 per person per day.

• Choosing an easier group/family to track

When you book your Gorilla trekking safari with Jungle Escape Africa, we shall always request for an easier trek for you. This should be a family that is not vey far in the forest so that visitors don’t have to trek long to find the Gorillas. Also, in terms of the sector like for the case of Bwindi Park, the differently abled wouldn’t dare the Nkuringo sector. It is known to have most challenging treks. In Rwanda, you will trek families at lower elevations.

Best Gorilla trekking park for the elderly and disabled

In Uganda, there are two Gorilla trekking parks of Bwindi Imenetrable and Mgahinga Gorillas National Park. Bwindi offers the best tracking experienced to the differently abled visitors even when compared with Volcanoes Park in Rwanda and Virunga Park in Congo. Bwindi is situated in a less mountainous terrain and therefore the trails are more navigable than other parks. That aside, Bwindi has many Gorilla families giving you a wide range of choice for an easier trek.

What to expect during a Gorilla Trekking Safari for the disabled and the seniors

Gorilla trekking for the elderly and disabled is equally immersive and respectful to the wildlife. You will still have about 1–3 hours of deep forest experience, even when carried. You spend 1 full hour with the Gorillas once located. The Gorilla permit price remains $800 in Uganda and $1500 in Rwanda which should be secured in advance through your trusted tour operator.

How safe is Gorilla trekking to the disabled, elderly and seniors?

After getting a solution to conquering the challenging Gorilla trek, the elderly and disabled will always worry about their safety and security during Gorilla trekking. What if a Gorilla charges at them or how would they escape wild animals like elephants? Like the usual trekking, you are tracking in the company of armed park rangers and guides who will always defend you incase of such scenarios.

The Gorilla trekking countries of Uganda and Rwanda are very safe except Congo that is known for insurgencies. For the past two decades or so, there hasn’t been any cases of militia in the Gorilla parks of Uganda and Rwanda. The armed rangers and guides leading the Gorilla treks protect tourists against fierce park animals like elephants, buffaloes and others. In all this, they are offering security to the visitors.

Best time for Gorilla trekking for the differently abled and the elderly

Although all visitors can do Gorilla trekking through out the year, the best time is always the dry season. In Uganda and Rwanda, dry months are June to September and December to February. During these months, at least the forest trails are somehow dry and present an easier trek. The dry season with less rains gives a clear and better view of the Gorillas because of less vegetation growth. For the best trekking experience, check what you should pack for Gorilla trekking.

Best accommodation during Gorilla trekking for the differently abled

Most accommodation facilities in and around the Gorilla parks are built to allow the disabled and elderly to move about easily. This is on top of the support services offered to the disabled by Jungle Escape Africa guides and the lodge staff. The lodges are of good standards and able to accommodate the disabled and elderly. They are graded as super luxury, luxury, upper mid-range, lower mid-range and budget facilities. Let Jungle Escape Africa staff know your budget to recommend the best lodge for your stay. It should be with in and not far from your tracking location.

Why Choose Jungle Escape Africa for the elderly and disabled Gorilla Trekking Safari

There are certain things to consider when planning a Gorilla trekking safari for the elderly and the disabled. Especially the elderly, we ensure minimal driving time as sitting in the vehicle for long hours tires them easily. Where the budget allows, we recommend opting for a domestic flight to avoid the long drives. A flight takes about an hour to reach Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla Park from Entebbe and yet driving takes about 8 – 9 hours. Also, you can opt for a shorter drive from Rwanda if you can amend your flights to arrive and depart Kigali airport. This implies starting and ending the trip in Kigali, Rwanda. Learn about Uganda Gorilla trekking starting from Rwanda.

For a Gorilla Safari booked through Jungle Escape Africa, expect support of a full-time driver guide for the entire time. Our vehicles offer comfort and are spacious, giving the visitor enough leg room. You will be driven close to your trek starting point and picked up after the activity.

The cost of a Gorilla trekking safari cuts across all visitors. The extra fee required by the differently abled people is for the hire of porters, the sedan chair and any other upgrades outside the overall safari price. Book your Gorilla trekking Safari with Jungle Escape Africa.