Gorilla Trekking Tips For The Elderly
Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is not only for youths but also for elderly persons too. Let your age not be a hindering factor because it is very possible for the old to also take part in a trek to see mountain gorillas.
How gorilla safari for the old is planned
Get in touch with our reservation team and we shall arrange for you a gorilla safari in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Most tour operators can also plan for you a gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park as well as the Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo. To enable everyone to have an enjoyable gorilla adventure in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of Congo regardless of his or her age, there are set guidelines to observe. Very old tourists can embark on a short gorilla trek.
Talk to the tour operator before embarking on the actual trek
When planning a gorilla trip for the elderly, we make sure that if the old person can walk, our guides will explain it to Uganda Wildlife Authority management to ease the process of assigning him or her easier gorilla group to trek and also to enable park ranger guide to move at a pace favorable to him or her. Please do not shy out from telling the park ranger guide that he or she to slow down. You are therefore advised to talk to our reservationist in advance so that we explain it to park authorities earlier.
Hire sedan chairs/porter
In case of need for push or pull, there are porters at the park headquarters to give a hand of help although you need to hire one at $10-$20. Alternatively, you will be carried in sedan chairs for disabled persons. You will be carried by a group of 4 porters and this may cost you about $400.
Exercise before gorilla trek
Before embarking on a gorilla trek, make sure you do some physical fitness. This is to help you familiarize yourself with altitude so that you do not face challenges on the gorilla trek. Remember gorilla trekking is all about hiking through the dense vegetation and steep slope while in search of mountain gorillas. A trek to see mountain gorillas can take you about 2 to 6 hours depending on the location of mountain gorillas, the nature of the habitat, and your physical wellness.
Carry adequate drinking water and energy-giving snacks
Have adequate drinking water and energy-giving snacks to help keep strong and fit to make a complete trek. In your packing list, bottled water and snacks are some of the essential items not to miss out on.
In summary, gorilla trekking can also be perfectly done by elderly tourists on a safari in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is not only for youths but also for elderly persons too. Let your age not be a hindering factor because it is very possible for the old to also take part in a trek to see mountain gorillas.
Read MoreHow is Gorilla Trekking Done in Uganda
Gorilla trekking is the top tourist activity in Uganda. In Uganda, a gorilla trekking permit goes up to US$700 per permit making it the most expensive activity in Uganda. Gorilla trekking is a daily activity in Uganda and it’s done in two destinations namely; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. The two gorilla parks are found far south western Uganda and its recommended to spend the night near or in the park to be able to encounter Mountain Gorillas, the next day.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you can choose to go on a gorilla safari trek in Buhoma sector, Ruhija sector, Rushaga sector or Nkuringo sector. Basing on which Gorilla permit the client purchased, he or she Must spend the previous night in that particular location to be able to trek Gorillas, the next day.
In Mgahinga national Park, there is only one gorilla family so, you must buy a gorilla permit to trek Nyakagezi Gorilla Family.
Note: Currently, Uganda protects over 18 habituated gorilla families –the number of un habituated Gorilla groups is not yet known.
In the morning, clients are supposed to report to the park headquarters for briefing at around 7:30am. Briefing is done by the rangers of the park from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The 30 minutes briefing aims at equipping tourists with the rules and regulations governing Gorilla trekking exercise.
Below are some of the Dos and Don’ts for Gorilla trekking in Uganda
- Guests are supposed to maintain a distance of 7metres between them and Gorillas. It minimizes the spread of infectious diseases like cough, Tuberculosis and so on.
- Visitors are supposed to keep low voices when with or near Gorillas.
- When taking photos/ Films- remove flash. Flashing cameras may upset Gorillas hence disorganizing Gorilla trekking process.
- Do not litter in the park.
- Do not carry pet animals with you.
- A maximum of one hour is given to the guests to stay with Mountain Gorillas.
- Dig a hole and after easing yourself, please cover.
- When Gorillas charge or exhibits signs of upset, please leave them.
- Keep in tight group when with or near gorillas
- Do not eat, smoke or eat when near Gorillas
After briefing, the guests are grouped into a maximum of eight people to visit each gorilla family. Two or more rangers guide each group and among them is an armed ranger who follow the group from behind to offer maximum security. Another ranger leads the group to the colonies of Mountain Gorillas. The time spend while searching for Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat is unpredictable but sometimes range between 2-6hours and on a bad day, it can take a full day.
In order to minimize speculations, some ranger do advance surveillance and inform groups of guests where Gorillas are, basing on where they were spotted the previous day.
- While in the forest, rangers keep on communicating via radio calls to facilitate team work. Rangers ensures informative and memorable Gorilla trek by answering all questions raised by the guests, teaching guests about other attractions found on the way and alerts guests about dangers which can arise as a result of violating Gorilla trekking Rules and Regulations.
- When about to meet a gorilla group, rangers alert guests to prepare for the amazing experience of meeting Gorillas Face- to – Face!
When with Mountain Gorillas – take photos/ Films – stay with them for an hour and leave them. Its advisable to keep low voices until you are 200 meters a way from mountain gorillas.
Read More
Authentic Gorilla Safaris in Uganda
Uganda is regarded as being one of the best hospitable country in the whole world with a wonderful culture full of patient people, rich animal kingdoms, amazing nature and welcoming people. The country is bordered by Kenya to the east, Tanzania in the south, DR. Congo in the west and South Sudan in the north, the country covers a total land area of 236040km² and this renders her to be a landlocked country with rolling mountains and plateaux.
One of the authentic activities that can be performed in Uganda is going for gorilla safaris with Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Limited, this safari starts with consultations from a tour expert from the company and booking is priory required. Gorilla permits are at a moderate price which is affordable by every tourist who wishes to come for Uganda gorilla safaris . Permits are at USD 600 for those who are only expecting to just a mere trekking but for those who wish to discover more with the gorillas may decide to book habituation permits which cost USD 1500.
Gorilla safaris in Uganda is mostly enjoyed from her two unique national park, these parks were conveniently gazetted in the beautiful environment suitable for the survival of the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorillas are found in the south western part of Uganda and tracking can be done from Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga national park. Accessing these parks from Kampala takes 8-9 hours of drive by road hence being at distant places from the airport and therefore the safaris needs to be of 3-5days and above depending on the other activities to be done.
Uganda has got over 834 gorillas and this is said to be half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and the rest of the numbers are found in Rwanda and DR. Congo, this makes it to be the excellent place to be visited since seeing these gentle gorillas is a must and there is no doubt that tourists may leave the park without seeing any of the groups.
The popular Bwindi Impenetrable is the mostly visited national park for mountain gorilla tracking because of its great number of gorillas residing here in their natural habitat of the thick tropical rain forest, gorillas in the park live in different groups and each group with a unique head of the family and this is always the silver back gorilla. This park was divided into four sectors and each sector with different gorilla families that are tracked and habituated; these include the, Buhoma sector with groups such as Mubare, Habinyanja, and Rushegura. In Ruhija sector, Oruzogo, Bitukula and Kyaguriro, For Rushaga sector groups such as Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Busingye and Bweza. For Nkuringo, Nkuringo gorilla group is tracked here.
Alternatively, visitors may decide to trek the Nyakagezi gorilla family that is found in Mgahinga mountain national park, this is the only group habituated within the park and it also attract a number of visitors due to the scenic view of the park, visitors in the process of tracking get a chance of seeing the rolling hills around the park including Muhavura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo mountains.
Also in the process of tracking, one cannot miss seeing the amazing golden monkeys that rioter around the trees within the park. Also to be seen includes the insects and birds with nice to hear voices around. The geographical location and the cold weather conditions experienced around Mgahinga national park renders it to be called the “Switzerland of Africa”.
Read MoreUganda Gorilla Tours & Honeymoon Holidays
Are you looking for a romantic getaway destination to celebrate your honeymoon? Uganda is the place to be. The country lies across the Equator right in the heart of Africa in East Africa. It is bordered by Rwanda in the south west, Congo Kenya in the East, Sudan in the north, and Tanzania in the south hence making it a land locked country in East Africa. Take a once in a lifetime trip to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where exciting adventures wait on your Honeymoon holiday, Ngamba Island, Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth for romantic boat rides, sunset cruises to game viewing tours in the park.
Do you want to spend ample time with the endangered mountain gorilla in their natural habitat? Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site popular for mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, the two great African apes listed as endangered animals in the IUCN Red Data Book.
Take part in a four hour gorilla habituation experience and enjoy the company of being with these shy apes in their living room. Besides gorilla tracking for 1 hour, gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Forest allows travelers to spend up to 4 hours with gorillas in their natural home. Gorilla Habituation Experience is a unique experience where travelers hike along with researchers, rangers and gorilla doctors who take part in taming the gorillas and getting used to human presence.
The taming process is long-term experience which last about 3 years and rangers must visit these gorillas on a daily basis with or without travelers. Bwindi National Park has gorilla photo safaris as the major tourist attraction with 4 gorilla trekking trail heads including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sector. Gorilla Habituation Experience is done at Rushaga sector with only two habituated gorilla groups undergoing training and these are Bushaho and Bikingi gorilla group.
Just like gorilla trekking experience, Gorilla Habituation Experience requires every participant to have a valid habituation permit. This permit is however a bit expensive costing $1500 USD for a 4 hour encounter with mountain gorillas. Tourists are reminded to book in advance at 3 months prior to your tracking date or you can deposit to secure the permit. Travelers aged below 15 years are not allowed to take part in gorilla trekking activity.
We traverse to Lake Bunyonyi a Holiday destination for travellers who are going for gorilla trekking in the nearby Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga National Park and honeymooners. Lake Bunyonyi in south-west Uganda is believed to be one of the deepest lakes in Africa, probably even the most beautiful lakes in Africa as well, dotted with numerous islands and surrounded by terraced hills.
Many tourists and travelers who undertake gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or come to Uganda after their Rwanda gorilla safari experience rest and relax at the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi as they enjoy the best scenery in the whole world, involve themselves into various cultural and community activities as well birding and canoe rides. Lake Bunyonyi, the perfect place relaxes and chill out, swimming, canoeing in a dugout canoe, boating, Island hopping, hiking, biking, birding, nature walks, village visits and interactive cultural visits while staying along Lake Bunyonyi.
Travel west through plains and plantations to the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains to Uganda’s most popular savannah park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is thrilling with highlights from explosion-crater lakes, tree-climbing lions and chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge’s sunken rain forest, giving you a real feel of Uganda’s savannah
We set out early in the morning for a game drive in the northern part of the park on the Kasenyi track in search of lions, elephants, solitary buffaloes. This is the best time for opportunities of viewing the cats in action owing to the vast population of Uganda Kobs. We have an excellent chance to view just about every animal here at very close range.
The launch trip along the Kazinga Channel gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippo’s huff and spray at mere feet away from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle billed stork and many others.
Take a visit to Lake Mburo closest savannah reserve to Kampala centred on a series of swamp-fringed lakes known for their rich birdlife, notably the secretive African fin foot. The green acacia woodland surrounding the lake harbours dense populations of zebra, warthog, buffalo, impala and various other grazers, including the last surviving Ugandan population of eland, the largest of African antelope.
Undertake a boat ride on Lake Mburo so as to see hippos, crocodiles and a variety of bird species; along the papyrus swamp. Then enjoy an evening game drive expect to see zebras, giraffes, buffaloes and topi. You can also join a ranger for a safari on foot or you will enjoy 4 hours horseback riding with a bush breakfast.
Before heading back to the airport for your flight back home, we visit Ngamba Island to see the orphaned chimps. In island-strewn Lake Victoria there is one particularly special destination, Ngamba Island, where guests can visit a Jane Goodall sponsored project. Here, a community of orphaned chimps, most of which were confiscated from poachers, can be visited on Ngamba Island, which lies on Lake Victoria 45 minutes by motorboat from Entebbe.
There are two Sessions to Ngamba Island. The first boat departs Entebbe at the water Front next to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre pier at 8:45am while the afternoon one departs at 12:45pm and returns at 5:00pm. On both Ngamba Island Boat ride Trip, you are treated to two feeding sessions and an informative talk from one of the care takers who will take you through where the Chimpanzees are located in the whole of Africa. He or she will explain the challenges, opportunities, and solutions of conservation of Chimpanzees in Africa.