Gorilla Trekking for Seniors

Gorilla trekking is an awesome adventure that involves searching and encountering these incredible gorillas within their natural habitat. In East Africa, gorilla trekking primarily happens in the countries of Uganda and Rwanda.

In Uganda, gorilla trekking happens in two places, namely; –

Bwindi impenetrable national park a UNESCO heritage site located in the southwestern part of the country in the districts of Kisoro and Kabale. The park is a renowned place for rich biodiversity and number one destination for protected mountain gorillas.

Bwindi is home to almost half of the world’s left mountain gorillas with four sections and each section having various gorilla families which makes it a top notch for gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda and East Africa.

Another significant gorilla trekking destination in Uganda is the Mgahinga gorilla national park located in southwestern region of the country occupying districts of Kabale and Kisoro, on the boarders of Rwanda and DRC part of the larger Virunga massif.

Mgahinga is a relatively smaller park compared to Bwindi but ecologically diverse with a focus of protecting endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The park is home to a small portion of the gorillas with one habituated gorilla family known as Nyakagezi but it’s so much rewarding because you are able to get less crowded and more intimate gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda.

In Rwanda, gorilla trekking happens to take place in Volcanoes national park located in the north west of the country near the border of Uganda and DRC part of the larger Virunga massif.

This is one of the best destinations in east Africa where you get to encounter the critically endangered mountain gorillas within their natural habitat. The activity happens in the early morning with a short briefing and then allocated a gorilla family that you are supposed to trek.

Once you get to identify your assigned family, you are given one hour to spend with the gorillas as you observe them feed, breast feed and interact with each other.

How Much Does Gorilla Trekking in East Africa Cost?

• Uganda.

Foreign nonresidents pay USD 700

Foreign residents pay USD 600

East African citizens pay UGX 250,000

• Rwanda.

Foreign nonresidents pay USD 1500

Foreign residents pay USD 1500.

Best Time to do Gorilla Trekking in East Africa.

Gorilla trekking is an open activity that can happen throughout the year, however, you should note that the best time to do is during the dry season.  The dry season is from June, September, December and February.

This is generally considered the best time for gorilla trekking because the weather is drier which makes hiking conditions more comfortable, and the skies are often clear providing a better visibility for photography not forgetting that the trails are less muddy and slippery.

Available Options for Seniors/ Aged Tourists Who Want to Do Gorilla Trekking.

Gorilla trekking is known to be a little bit of challenging and physically demanding for the aged people, but here are some of the options for them to enjoy this incredible experience.

• Easy trekking routes.

When obtaining a permit for an aged person, you are free to request to be assigned to a group that matches their fitness level since some gorilla families are located in areas with shorter distances making them less challenging.

• Hiring porters.

Aged persons are requested to always hire porters to carry their gear and provide physical support during the trek.

• Walking stick.

Many of the gorilla destinations offer walking sticks to aged people that can help during the trek especially on uneven terrain.

• Private trek.

Aged people can arrange a private trek that can be tailored to their pace and preferences, this is so much comfortable because they are allowed to move at a speed which they are comfortable with.

• Riding.

In some of the gorilla destinations, aged people are given the option to use a sedan chair carried by a team of porters to access the assigned gorilla families. This is the best option especially for those with limited mobility.

• Group size.

While booking a gorilla permit for an aged person, you are free to request for a smaller group size that will be moving at a slower pace and is more accommodating for those with physical limitations.