Things to consider when planning gorilla trekking for elder persons

If you are planning the gorilla trekking safari for a senior citizen booking the gorilla permit is the number one priority. The age limit for gorilla trekking permit booking in Uganda is 12 years or Rwanda is 15 years and beyond that means there is no cap to the highest age accepted to engage in this adventure. Gorilla trekking is a lifetime dream for many but some life circumstances may not favor enjoying it earlier.

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In case you cannot hike to find the mountain gorillas because of health challenges that come with being elderly, sedan chair service is available at the gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda and Rwanda at an affordable cost. You need to put in your book for a sedan chair in advance so that all that is necessary is organized before the gorilla trekking date.

Gorilla trekking in Africa happens in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo but it is very helpful to book accommodations closer or within the destination where this safari is to happen in advance. This is because you need to report to the ranger station earlier before starting time of the gorilla trekking adventure for document verification. Contact us for more information.

What To Consider When Planning The Gorilla Trekking Safari For Elderly Persons

Where to do go For Gorilla Trekking

The most notable gorilla trekking destination in Africa are Uganda and Rwanda so you need to make a choice. In Uganda, gorilla trekking safaris happen in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in the southwestern corner of Uganda. Rwanda has Volcanoes National Park in the North Western part of the country as the gorilla trekking destination.

These gorilla safari destinations have other inhabitants a list the Virunga are has accumulated over time. Other than the mountain gorillas, you may find other primates including blue monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, the special golden monkeys, wild chimpanzees and so many others.

The choice of where to best enjoy the gorilla trekking safari as an elderly person is a personal choice depending on what you hope to achieve after the gorilla safari experience. Each gorilla trekking destination that is Uganda or Rwanda has its unique traits.

At Encounter Africa safaris, our team of safari consultants is on ground to give you more details about each gorilla safari destination in Uganda and Rwanda from which you can make a choice. Trust us to walk this African safari milestone with you to turn this dream into a reality.

Booking The Gorilla Trekking Permit

When booking the gorilla trekking permit for Uganda and Rwanda, select a date when you feel most comfortable doing this adventure and the people hoping to travel with. This assists with checking gorilla permit availability and not going back and forth with dates because gorilla trekking permits are sold according to dates.

Upon finding gorilla permit availability, it is better to book it as soon as possible because there status changes anytime without warning. Note that no gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda is booked without payment.

Even though it is hard to determine the easiest gorilla family to trek in Uganda and Rwanda, you may try to notify the booking authority that is Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Boards about the age of the booking client at this point. This notification however doesn’t guarantee that it will be remembered or used when allocating gorilla trekking families.

Note that gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi in Uganda are booked according to the four areas under which the park is divided that is Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Nkuringo and Rushaga in the southern part. Each of these Bwindi areas has gorilla families to which tourists are allocated on gorilla safari day.

After booking the gorilla permit for Uganda or Rwanda, avail some personal details to be added to this gorilla permit card includes full names as presented on the passport, Nationality, date of birth and others.

Reserve Accommodation To Use During The Gorilla Trekking Safari

Accommodations to use during gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda are categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic. When booking accommodations for an elderly person on gorilla trekking safari, you need to consider those closer to the briefing point of the gorilla trekking destination. This is to avoid having to walk or move a long distance to get to the gorilla trekking briefing area.

For accommodations in Bwindi in Uganda, it is better to book those within the areas under which the gorilla permit is booked to avoid having to wake up early to drive in the dark in order to get to the briefing point. When booking accommodations that have and upper level, request for rooms situated closer to the ground for an elderly person.

• Accommodations in Bwindi Gorilla Forest Camp, Engage lodge, Nshongi camp, Clouds lodge, Bwindi View Guesthouse, Gorilla safari lodge, Lake Mutanda Camp, Lake kitandara Tented camp
• Accommodations in Mgahinga Gahinga Volcanoes Lodge, Traveller’s Inn
• Accommodations Volcanoes National Park Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View, KinigiGuest House, Gorilla Nest, Hotel Lebambou

Fitness level before the gorilla trekking safari

Even senior citizens can still do the gorilla trekking adventure the normal way so if you can still move long distance and hike even as an elder, why not do it your way. To search for the mountain Gorilla during gorilla trekking, it requires attaining some level of fitness.

No vigorous exercises are required but start with the simple walks beyond the usual and up grade according to the vise of your fitness trainer. In case you are afraid of heights, you may it put this into consideration even those affected by change in altitude must seek advice from doctors before embarking on gorilla trekking safari.

In case your health cannot permit you to engage in exercising, you can use a sedan chair or basket lifting service and still get to see the mountain gorillas. Don't be afraid of trying out gorilla safari adventure thinking you won't make it. Trust the process and turn your fears into a life changing moment with Encounter Africa Safaris. We can help you organize all these plans to the best of our experience.

Pack the right gorilla trekking gears

Gorilla trekking is fully in the jungle in a tropical rainforest where rains fall anytime without warning. When packing for gorilla trekking as an elder, you need to carry what is most relevant for this adventure. Pack rainproof boots that cover beyond the ankles, camera, safari boots, snacks, garden gloves.

The nature of the terrain in the Virunga area forests is that they are logged most of the time from the regular rains that fall, the crisscrossing network of rivers yet there is a dense canopy through which less sunrays penetrate to the ground. This is why most of the times the ground is wet and so exploring it get trickier.

Carry some hard cash

In Africa, hard cash is mostly used for transactions other than credit cards. The gorilla trekking destinations are situated in remote areas where getting to an ATM machine or a Bank may be hard too. in case you have to make on ground transactions, its better with hard cash. You may exchange foreign currency into local currency or use international currencies locally accepted in Rwanda or Uganda for the transactions.

Clear Necessary Travel Documents Before The Gorilla Safari

In case you need a visa before entering Uganda or Rwanda, apply for it in advance even though one can acquire it at immigration on arrival. This is to avoid having to stand in the long queue on arrival yet you may have jet lag. Delaying at immigration on arrival may also delay getting to the gorilla safari destination especially in Uganda where you have to drive long hours.

Purchase the necessary international flight tickets in advance to avoid getting disappointed when you try booking at the last minute. Remember gorilla permits are nonrefundable especially if you have no genuine reason reported to the respective bodies that issue the gorilla permits that is Rwanda Development Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority. Both entities have gorilla permit refund policies that are followed.

Book Other Safari Activities To Combine With Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Make the Itinerary of your safari in Africa richer by adding more destinations and activities to do with gorilla trekking adventure. From or before gorilla trekking in Uganda, one may enjoy activities like the game drives, white water rafting, launch trips, chimpanzee trekking, hiking, birding in Uganda, visit source of River Nile, enjoy lake Mutanda, Bunyonyi, Uganda culture and others.

From or before gorilla trekking in Rwanda, tourists may engage in game safaris in Akagera National Park, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda cultural experience, Kigali city tour and others.

When Is The Best Time To Plan And Do Gorilla Trekking As An Elderly Person

Even when any time is gorilla trekking time, the dry season is the best choice for booking this safari adventure for a senior citizen. The dry season which is normally June to September and December to January when the forests are expected to have less moisture. The tropical rain forests in Virunga area are known for receiving untimely rains that leave the environment cold most of the time. This may not go well with the elderly persons but the dry season things are quite different. The mountain gorillas are normally seen spending time closer to the ground in the dry season.

The dry season is normally the high tourism season so demand for gorilla permits is over the top in Uganda and Rwanda. The number of gorilla permits opened to the public is restricted to a maximum of 8 per family which may turn into a bitter berry for latecomers trying to find availability in either countries. It is best to reserve the gorilla trekking permit in advance, as this is the pivot of the entire safari plan.

The trailheads in the forest are more visible because there is less vegetation protruding through. More sunrays pierce through the dense canopy creating a lighter ambience in the forest during the dry season so there is better visibility during the search for the mountain gorillas

The wet season shouldn’t be considered a no go time when planning a gorilla trekking safari for an elderly person because it has its advantages too. The wet season Of the Virunga area is normally March to May and November. No matter when you plan to go gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, be assured of seeing these primates.

Why Book Gorilla Trekking For Elderly Person With Encounter Africa Safaris

Encounter Africa Safaris has stood a test of time with our experience of over 10 years in organizing African safaris for all ages. We have a professional and experienced safari team with the best advice on destinations where we operate.

When planning safaris for senior citizens, we put in mind the need to help them make everlasting memories and breathe life into their dreams. Over the years, Encounter Africa Safaris has created business relations with different service providers which we extend to our clients to make our safari packages impact full and affordable according to category.

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking Safari as an Elder

• Extract fully charged batteries to exchange with if one runs low
• Garden gloves to cover your hands in case you need to secure a tighter grip.
• Safari Boots that can withstand water logged conditions in the forest in case the rivers over flow.
• A foldable safari hat with a large brim that can protect your hair from water dripping off the tree leaves
• Safari long shirt and trouser that can withstand forest conditions. They must be in colors like Tan or Khaki to camouflage dirt.
• A raincoat in case it fall while in the jungle as this area is known to receive down pours any time without warning.
• First Aid kit with emergency items especially if you have a non-communicable infection that may require urgent medical care.
• Medicated Insect repellent to keep away stinging insects in the wilderness
• A camera to capture highlights of the gorilla trekking tour for memories of your safari.
• A pair of binoculars to bring close the far ranging items of your interest
• Toiletries especially if your skin is sensitive to certain types of body chemicals.
• Energy bites to snack on when hungry and keep you going.

For bookings and more information, Please do not hesitate to contact our team.