GORILLA TREKKING FOR SENIORS/THE ELDERLY IN AFRICA.

Gorilla trekking is an  adventurous  but still challenging experience which would need more  of physical stability  and as people get older   their bodies  become more weaker and such activities become more strenuous , however this should not limit the elderly  to enjoy this experience  because  gorilla trekking safari parks have  found different ways to  make this experience easier for the senior people and people with disabilities.

Where can seniors/the elderly go for gorilla trekking in Africa?

1. UGANDA :Bwindi Impenetrable Park. This park is situated in the South western region of Uganda and it has a bigger portion of the population of the mountain gorillas. Not only do the seniors get to indulge in gorilla trekking, they also get to discover and explore the Batwa culture, a group of people that is known to be one of the last hunter and food gatherers family in the world.

 

Camps and lodges where seniors can stay in Bwindi Impenetrable Park.

 

• Gorilla safari Lodge.
• Bwindi Forest Lodge.
• Gorilla heights lodge.
• Buhoma lodge-Bwindi Impenetrable Park.
• Agandi Uganda Eco-Lodge.

 

Mgahinga national park; this is another alternative gorilla trekking safari destination found in Kisoro district  in Uganda and  seniors can also get to  experience an ultimate gorilla safari expedition in this park.

 

Some of the camps and lodges where seniors can stay near Mgahinga national park.

• Kinigi Cottage.
• Mondi Lodge Kisoro.
• Santaviva hotel.
• Binga villa.
• Jeanne’s cottage.

 

The best and worst time for seniors to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking safari.

               

The renowned moths that are ideal for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda are from early June to late September because during this time their less muddy trails therefore the seniors can easily access the different parts of the gorilla safari destinations in Uganda.

But from March to May the rains re a lot and this affects this hinders accessibility in the different parks. The less popular months between Decembers to early February are better because their fewer crowds therefore the seniors are able to get a more exclusive gorilla trekking experience.

 

2. RWANDA: Volcanoes national park; the seniors get to  explore these wild species in a tranquility with  a mesmerizing background landscape of the  stunning volcanoes  and Rwanda  gorilla trekking safaris are less strenuous compared to the other countries for seniors because of the less steep terrain  that is less physically    Seniors on a gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda can also get to indulge in other activities such as the visit of the Iby’iwacu village and nature forest hikes.

 

The best and worst time for seniors to visit Rwanda.

 

The best months for seniors to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking is in the months of June, July, august and September because the dry weather during this time is very suitable for the gorilla trekking g safaris however in the months of March, April and May the weather is unsustainable because of the heavy rains and this could also impact on the health of the seniors

 

Hotels that are near the Volcanoes national park where seniors can stay during the gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda.

                             

• The Atlas.
• Under Volcanoes View guesthouse.
• Davinci gorilla lodge.
• Kinigi Cottage.
• Sambora Kinigi.

 

3. 3. THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Virunga national park; this park has a combination of the mountain and the lowland gorillas therefore the seniors who visit Congo for gorilla trekking ventures have  variety options compared to Uganda and Rwanda. This park is also ideal for breathtaking nature captures because of the jaw-dropping scenic features such as the Virunga Mountains and the verdant greenery.

 

The best and worst period for gorilla trekking safaris in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

The months of December, January, February, June, July, August and  September are the ideal months for  the seniors to carry out  gorilla trekking in the Democratic republic of Congo because of the  great scenic views that appear during this since the tropical rainforests are less foggy hence offering proper visibility compared to the months of  March, April, May, October and November when their heavy downpours   and this makes the  hiking trails more slippery  and  rainforests become more thicker and this makes mountain gorilla tracking hard.

 

Camps and Lodges near the Virunga national park where the seniors can stay during the gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

                                  

• Kibumba tented camp.
• Mikeno Lodge.
• Tchengera tented camp.
• Bukima tented camp.

 

Some of the considerations for gorilla trekking safaris for seniors in Africa.

                               

Health status of the senior.

 

The seniors/ elderly are prone to different old age illnesses such as high blood pressure therefore before the gorilla trekking safari, seniors should consult their doctor to see if their health condition is appropriate for the gorilla trekking adventures.

 

The fitness level of the seniors.        

 

If a senior is physically fit for the gorilla trekking experience, they can opt for the long hiking to the mountain gorilla family but in the case that a senior is physically unfit, they are usually given the shorter hiking’s to the mountain gorilla group that is nearer through pathways that are less steep and more traversable. Nevertheless seniors should train before the gorilla trekking safari for better preparation.

 

The attitude level for the gorilla trekking.  

 

In most case the gorilla trekking expeditions for the elderly are to be on a lower attitude because hiking for seniors to greater attitudes is difficult because most of them have unstable health conditions, therefore during this experience, seniors are advised to hike on lower attitudes.

 

Safety of the gorilla trekking safari.

 

It is ideal to monitor the surroundings before the gorilla trekking safaris for seniors and also the guides can clarify if the paths are safe for the elderly to pass through. The seniors could also move with a health personnel for better safety measures. The gorilla trekking safaris in the Democratic republic of Congo could be risky for the seniors because the country usually has on and off rebel threats.

 

Supplementary aid (assistance)

 

In some situations some support systems are used for the gorilla trekking experience for the seniors. For instance porters get to carry the senior on a sedan chair and while seated on this chair, a seatbelt is put for the safety of the senior.

This is also used for people with disabilities therefore no one is to be left pout for this experience. The supplementary aid comes at an added cost because more labor and resources are used in the course of the gorilla trekking safari experience.

 

The gorilla trekking group.

 

The senior should research and find out about the different gorilla trekking groups so that they know which one is    ideal for them to join either if it has many tourists or few tourists or if it is trekking to a near or further location.

 

What the seniors should pack for a gorilla trekking safari in Africa.

 

• Sturdy boots to keep their feet warm and to making hiking easier.
• A water bottle for rehydration so as not get physical instabilities like dizziness.
• Warm layered clothes to keep the senior warm since weather in Africa is unpredictable.
• A first aid kit to carry emergency medications like painkillers that might be needed during the gorilla trekking safari.
• Insect repellent to protect the senior from insect bites and illnesses got from the bites.
• Hand sanitizer and a facemask for health safety.

      

Additional tips for gorilla trekking for seniors in Africa.

 

• The senior should book the gorilla safari 4 months earlier so as it is easier for them to discuss the considerations with the tour operator.
• Before considering where to stay, the senior should book a place that is near the gorilla safari destination.
• The senior should book the gorilla trekking safari with a legit tour operator, therefore they can research and observe reviews about the tour operator.

 

How much is gorilla trekking n Africa for a senior?

 

• Uganda; a senior from a foreign country pay 700$, a senior that is a foreign resident of Uganda pays 600$ while a senior that is an East African residents pays 250,000 Ugandan shillings. This permit can be obtained through the authorities of the Uganda Wildlife Authorities or through tour operators in Uganda for gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.

 

• Rwanda; a senior Foreigner in Rwanda pays 1500$, senior residents from the East African countries pay 200$ and foreign seniors who are residents of Rwanda pay 500$. The senior can get the gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda through the Rwanda Development Board or through gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda.

 

• The Democratic Republic of Congo; the senior from a foreign country in Congo pays 400$, the East African senior resident pays 200$ and the senior resident of Congo pays 20$. In the Democratic republic of Congo, a senior can obtain this gorilla trekking permit through tour operators for gorilla safaris in Congo or through the authorities / management of Virunga national park.

 

The process of gorilla trekking for seniors.

                   

If the senior wants to use a tourism organization, they have to choose a legitimate tour operator for the safari and the gorilla trekking permit is given to the senior by the tour operator after payments are made for the safari.

If the senior has some illnesses they should discuss with the tour operator so that they know what considerations to put for them during the gorilla safari trekking.

Transfers are then done  from one’s accommodation facility to the gorilla safari destination  and  then a pre-briefing is given by the safari guide to the  senior  and the senior is given different trekking options that are available, for example if one is not in an accommodative health state, the tour guide would suggest use of a stretcher or sedan  chair and if one  is in a  better health condition ,  the safari guide might suggest shorter treks at a slower pace compared to the  normal gorilla treks.

During the trek, the senior is meant to wear a mask and not make loud noises that would pose as a threat to the mountain gorillas. the social interaction with the gorillas will take approximately one hour , then the senior will be either be transferred to their accommodation facility or they will proceed to other adventurous activities.