Gorilla trekking for the disabled

Gorilla trekking for the disabled : It is true that anyone, regardless of age or disability, can go on an easy gorilla trek in Africa. In all three of the countries where gorillas are found, people with disabilities can participate in gorilla trekking safari with ease in addition to the young and physically fit.

One of the most sought-after apes on the planet, gorillas are only found in three national parks: the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, the Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.

Regardless of the age and endurance of the tourists, a fantastic gorilla trekking safari can be arranged in any of the aforementioned nations. Travellers with disabilities receive special attention and are paired with gorilla families who live close to the offices. They can also be transported in style using either traditional bamboo stretchers or contemporary sedan chairs.

Modern Sedan chairs.

For elderly individuals who find it difficult to walk on uneven terrain, or for disabled visitors, there are contemporary sedan chairs available. You can hire porters to transport guests from briefing locations to the designated gorilla families. After spending up to an hour with the gorillas, visitors will be transported back to the offices.

Traditional Bamboo Stretchers.

If a person would rather not be carried in the contemporary sedan chairs, they can choose to be carried in the traditional bamboo stretchers. Four porters will carefully carry the visitors to the forest for their trek, and another four will return them. The cost of bamboo stretchers and contemporary sedan chairs ranges from USD 350 to USD 500, depending on the visit’s weight, from which the porters receive their compensation.

Even non-disabled tourists can hire porters to help them move their backpacks and other belongings when on a gorilla tour, making it easier for them to trek through the difficult terrain that the gorillas live in. These porters and bag carriers get paid anywhere from $15 to $20 in US dollars.

Gorilla trekking permits for the disabled.

To effectively engage in gorilla trekking safari in all three countries, a gorilla permit must be reserved; these permits cost $800 in Uganda, $1500 in Rwanda, and $400 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The only nation with the priciest gorilla permits is Rwanda, which makes it ideal for luxury tourists. Because gorilla permits are highly sought after and distributed on a first come, first served basis, it is preferable to reserve one at least five months in advance of the trekking date.

Disabled tourists or the elderly are advised to trek gorillas from Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national Park Buhoma sector because it is not as mountainous as other national parks where mountain gorillas live. There are four trekking sectors in Bwindi National Park: Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Buhoma. For older and disabled hikers, Buhoma and Ruhija are the best of all these areas.

Disability shouldn’t be a barrier to such an amazing gorilla experience; if you can travel by air from your home country, nothing can prevent you from going on an East African gorilla trekking adventure.

How to access gorilla destinations?

You can access gorilla destinations from either Entebbe airport in Uganda or Kigali airport in Rwanda. The driver guide will pick you up and drop you off at any of your gorilla destinations after arriving at these two airports.

But if you’d like to go gorilla trekking safari in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you can get picked up at the airports in Kigali or Entebbe, cross the Goma border to enter Virunga National Park, or cross the Rusizi border to enter Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

It is recommended that you bring a camera for souvenir photos, binoculars for viewing distant sights, and sturdy jungle shoes for navigating the muddy trails on your gorilla trekking adventure. These are a few of the most important items that one should pack for their gorilla trekking safari.