Gorilla trekking for the elderly in Uganda
The main highlight of Uganda safaris is gorilla trekking. Very many people who consider Uganda safari holidays are often presented with gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking experience. Though this is not all there is for a Uganda safari; mountain gorilla trekking has been the main highlight because it is rare and unique to Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo.
Most of the other tourism activities like game drives in Kidepo valley national park; wildlife nature walks in lake Mburo national park, tree climbing lions in queen Elizabeth national park among several other adventure activities usually have direct or similar activities in the popular tourism destinations of Africa.
For instance; there are tree climbing lions in Lake Manyara national park of Tanzania. Therefore if you already have a trip to Tanzania, there might not be any need to visit Uganda for the Tree climbing lions. But when it comes to mountain gorilla trekking; you either have to visit Uganda or Rwanda. Democratic republic of Congo is not very popular like these two countries when it comes to gorilla trekking.
It is for this reason that mountain gorilla trekking has continually been fronted as the main highlights of Uganda safaris even though there is more to explore in Uganda. With that said; gorilla trekking only has a minimum age limit of 15 years. It is therefore very possible to go gorilla trekking even if you are hundred years old.
Given the fact that gorilla trekking is mainly a walking safari; many questions arise on whether the elderly and the people with disabilities can also go gorilla trekking in Uganda. There has not been any special arrangement to make gorilla trekking possible for all people with disabilities but for those whose main trouble is walking; there is provision for them to trek gorillas in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking for the elderly There are two provisions for gorilla trekking for the elderly. There are those who cannot trek at all and there those who can still trek but for a short time.
Short treks for the elderly in Uganda There is provision for short treks more so in Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. These can last for two to three hours. Though Ruhija treks can also stretch to up six hours; it is always recommended to confirm with your tour operator on what is on ground.
Though not the usual order of the day; the months of May and early June can be recommended for short treks in Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. However, given the fact that the mountain gorillas keep switching to locations where they can find more abundance for food, it is not a guarantee that in the months of May and June you will have short treks but it is a good guess.
The short treks do not cost anything extra. All it takes is presenting your request to the sector warden. However, the tour operator has to keep in touch with the warden at least a day or two to the trekking date so that they prepare for the short trek early enough.
In most cases, the sector might have less than 5 people in the low season. Given such a scenario, there is limited room for choice if the tour operator does not inform the sector warden early enough for the short trek.
Gorilla trekking for the elderly on a sedan chair The experience of the trekking in Bwindi is exceptional. For that reason, those who have trouble walking for more than 30 minutes are presented with an option of trekking on a sedan chair.
The sedan chair is carried by four strong men who carry you comfortably until you meet the gorillas. There is an option of getting off the sedan chair and walk for a few minutes as well as the option carrying you throughout the trip.
Regardless of whether you are carried throughout the trip, or you take a few walks along with being carried; the services of the sedan chair are charged at the same rate.
Among the notable personalities who have executed a gorilla trek safari in Uganda on a sedan chair include but not limited to former Kenya’s attorney general Charles Njonjo, Mahendra N. Mehta of Sugar cooperation of Uganda limited, Sunayana Mehta wife to Mahendra among several other notable personalities.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be done by anyone regardless of their physical state as long as they choose the right gorilla trekking sector in case they wish to go for a short trek or consider a sedan chair in case they do not wish to walk at all.
