Gorilla trekking for elderly, seniors, and People with disabilities

Gorilla trekking for elderly, seniors, and People with disabilities.

The organization of gorilla trekking for senior citizens, is the same as for other guests. They are placed in gorilla groups that are closer to the park headquarters, which is the only distinction. However, the Elderly people and those with disabilities who are unable to walk long distances can rent sedan chairs and professional porters who will help them out. We will talk about this more later. A little history. Undoubtedly, the most fascinating animals on the planet are mountain gorillas. Because they cannot survive in zoos like lowland gorillas, everyone wants to see them. You must go to Africa in order to witness mountain gorillas. Only the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda are home to them. The gorillas reside in Virunga National Park in the Congo, whereas Volcanoes National Park is home to them in Rwanda. Fortunately, half of the 1,000 mountain gorillas that remain are found in Uganda’s two national parks, Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500, while one in Uganda costs $700. Gorilla tours are pricey. Why do they cost so much? Being in the company of mountain gorillas is regarded as the world’s greatest wildlife encounter. The fact that mountain gorillas are endangered is another factor in the high demand for gorilla licenses. Depending on which gorilla family one is assigned to, tracking mountain gorillas might be quite difficult. It is crucial to travel when well-prepared and in good physical condition for this reason. If you are lucky, you can spot certain gorilla groups within 30 minutes after starting your tracking journey because they reside near to the starting place. Gorilla hiking, though, can occasionally take up to six hours. While choosing whether or not to follow gorillas, distance is not the only factor to consider. As their name implies, mountain gorillas inhabit high-altitude mountainous regions (between 2,300 and 4,500 meters). The walk may pass through difficult terrain, steep slopes, and slick (mud-filled) trails before arriving to the gorilla family. People with impairments, the aged, seniors, and those who may not be in good physical condition for any reason may find these difficulties problematic.

Gorilla Trekking for the elderly and people with disabilities.

After reading through our previous discussion, one could not be sure if going gorilla trekking is something they should actually do due to age or physical restrictions. Not just young people or those with lots of energy can enjoy gorilla trekking. Because of your age, level of fitness, or physical restrictions, you don’t have to settle for less than the greatest wildlife encounters. Actually, most tourists who go gorilla tracking are over 40 years old. As long as you are able to board an aircraft, you can never be too old to go gorilla trekking. If you are debating whether to take your mother or grandmother along on a gorilla trekking excursion, you should know that it’s highly likely—so long as they can fly. The Rangers and wardens will inspect each passport and identify anyone who might require extra care at the time of the briefing. One will be given to a nearby gorilla family if they are 60 years of age or older and in good enough condition. In order to have more pleasure and adventure in the forest, if you are sixty years old and in great shape, you might ask for a longer walk. Just because someone urged you to accept an easier trek doesn’t mean you have to. Trekking with mountain gorillas offers much opportunity for exploration. Along the route, you will come across stunning plants and animals, including birds, primates, insects, butterflies, and moths. The availability of gorilla permits is another factor taken into consideration when allocating gorilla families, in addition to hiking proficiency and physical fitness. It is more difficult to secure an easy trek once the majority of gorilla permits are reserved. In order to ensure that they acquire a gorilla group near a tracking site, seniors are recommended to plan their travels at least three months in advance. When engaging in double gorilla trekking, which involves trailing mountain gorillas for two days or longer, tourists will be placed in a separate group from the one they were previously with. A gorilla family can only be tracked by 8 individuals in a single day. This is to prevent extended contact with humans from straining the primates and exposing them to infections. Before securing a gorilla trekking permit, it’s crucial to let your tour operator know about any physical restrictions or fitness worries. This will assist the operator in making appropriate plans and setting up any specialized equipment with the park officials. You might also be provided a dedicated tour vehicle, porters, and sedan chairs, if necessary. The cost of the sedan chairs and porters will be added to the stand cost by your firm and shared with you. The elderly or others who are unable to walk long distances are lifted using sedan chairs equipped with handlers, seat belts, and a steel foundation. Carrying disabled individuals to the forest on a stretcher constructed of indigenous bamboo is an additional option. The elderly are allocated to 12 robust local porters, four at a time, who carry them. The sedan chair or stretcher can only be carried by four men. When the first four need a break, the others will step in to take charge. The porters have spent the most of their life in the area, thus they are quite familiar with the land and forest. The older person will be carried by the porters, who won’t let him or her touch the ground until they find the mountain gorillas. The porters will pick up the elder when they have spotted the gorillas and carry him back to the starting location, where the corporate driver will be waiting. Depending on the client’s weight, sedan chairs and carriers might cost anywhere from $400 and $500. Porters who carry the customer are included in the price. If someone is worried about their level of fitness but is not incapacitated, they can also employ porters to help carry their bulky backpacks and recorders and to assist during strenuous portions of the trip. A porter might be hired for $15 to $20 per hour. Simple trekking sticks are provided to all trackers, fit or not, to aid in their movement. It might be necessary for senior citizens to bring their own hiking sticks. Employing porters would help them maintain their standard of living. Many of the porters are either married guys with huge families to support or students searching for extra money to pay for college tuition. Even though it might seem insignificant, you would be greatly impacting their life. It is noteworthy that Bwindi is the best national park for gorilla trekking if you are an elderly person. How come? because its location is in a less mountainous region. Unlike the other three national parks, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is not a part of the Virunga Mountain range. In comparison to Mgahinga and the Volcanoes National Park, it is situated at a lower altitude and has more level pathways. Since many gorilla families reside on lower terrain, the hike is simpler. It’s also crucial to remember that there are more habituated gorilla groups available for monitoring in Bwindi because there are more mountain gorillas there. In Bwindi, there are currently 17 habituated gorilla families. Each of the four sectors in Bwindi—Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Buhoma—has a distinct gorilla family. Tourists can choose a gorilla family that is close to the starting location if they reserve a permit in advance. Because it has been noted that visitors who trek in the Ruhijja sector return considerably earlier than those who visit other park sectors, gorilla trekking in that area is extremely suitable for senior citizens. But regardless of the region you select to track, it’s crucial to remember that finding the gorillas can take a variety of times. After going for thirty minutes from the starting point, you will be fortunate to come across a family of gorillas. It’s crucial to research the many gorilla groups that are present in the various national parks to determine which is the best fit and closest to the trek’s starting point before reserving a gorilla trip or simply showing up at the beginning. To find out if you can be put in the specific group, speak with your tour operator. Based on their experience and understanding of the group, the tour operator will provide you with advice. The group structures are constantly shifting, and things that were simpler to follow a year ago might have moved to a different area that is farther from the park offices.

Other things to consider during gorilla tour for the elderly.

Older visitors may be concerned about park security in addition to their ability to finish the hike because they are already weak and vulnerable. In Rwanda and Uganda, there is good security and safety for gorilla trekking. The purpose of armed rangers leading gorilla trekking is to keep tourists safe from wild creatures like buffaloes and elephants. Considering the various security incidents in the past, the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be uncertain. Security is more stringent even then than it is in Uganda and Rwanda. In Congo, going gorilla trekking requires acclimating to several security checks and increased escorts. The driving distance to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest from Kampala or Entebbe is another concern for travelers. This problem has two possible solutions. One option is to travel to Kigali, Rwanda, rather than Entebbe, Uganda. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is closer to Kigali and takes less time to drive there. It can take up to eight hours to drive from Entebbe to Bwindi. It just takes three hours to get to Bwindi Forest from Kigali. Scheduling a local chattered flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi to the closest airstrip in Bwindi is another option for overcoming the lengthy travel distance. After that, your neighborhood tour guide can wait for you at the airport to drive you to the theme park. Although the local flights are pricey, the benefit is that I can go to the park in about one hour. You need not fret if you are unable to afford a local flight to Bwindi. The gorilla parks are situated in regions with breathtaking landscapes and other wonderful animal reserves. Choosing to travel by road won’t make you bored. Amazing African landscapes, national parks, mountains, valleys, and unspoiled African wildness await you; you will be amazed. Small pauses are frequently planned by tour firms so that travelers can unwind and find hidden gems like the equator crossing. If gorilla trekking is combined with other wildlife encounters, the itinerary can be planned to minimize the amount of time spent driving. Daily stops would be made in various national parks until the gorillas were located. What about lodging while going on a gorilla trek? There are excellent lodging options both inside and outside of the gorilla parks. They include luxury hotels, ultra-luxury hotels, mid-range establishments, and affordable choices. Everything is based on your financial situation. The accommodations come in the shape of typical cottages with thatched grass roofs, separate tented camps, dorms, and straightforward campsites. The majority of these hotels were constructed with easy mobility in mind for those with disabilities. If you are middle-aged but not very fit, you should hike around your house to be ready beforehand. Take use of the opportunity to walk around if you reside in a hilly, mountainous, or forestous environment to get your body ready for your tour. Additional exercises that can help you get ready for gorilla trekking are long-distance walking, mild running, strolling, and climbing. Try to pack enough water to drink and energy snacks for your gorilla trekking adventure. They will support the body’s continued health and vitality. In addition to getting a more convenient group and getting to ride in sedan chairs, senior citizens should be aware of what to bring when gorilla trekking. Hiking boots, hand gloves, rain jackets, sweaters, sunglasses, long sleeve shirts, long pants, walking sticks, insect repellents, and first aid kits should all be on a gorilla trekking packing list.