Best Gorilla Trekking Packages for Old People–Comfortable & Memorable Safaris by Native Africa Tours
Explore the best gorilla trekking packages customised specifically for all seniors. Gorilla trekking is a unique and accommodating adventure that attracts even older adults. Are you an older adult with an interest in trekking gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda? Check out our complete guide to help you find the best gorilla trekking packages for old people. Our gorilla trekking guide for the elderly covers not only the captivating gorilla safari itineraries but also accommodation, safety guidelines, and how to get to your destination. This guide is essential for all older adventure seekers on the Uganda/Rwanda gorilla safari.
Places to visit with the best gorilla trekking for old people
African safari destinations with the best gorilla trekking packages for older adults include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Virunga Conservation Areas. Bwindi offers excellent gorilla adventures for older people, considering its lower altitude and friendly terrain. Besides, a variety of accommodation options are available for visitors overnight. Visitors who are elderly and cannot walk to see gorillas can use sedan chairs. The sedan chairs are ideal for guests with mobility challenges.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also a preferred destination for elderly persons to track gorillas, thanks to the shorter gorilla treks offered in the Ruhija. Gorilla groups in the Ruhija often take fewer hours to locate them.
Bwindi is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site located in southwestern Uganda. The park was created in 1991, and currently, it protects about half the world’s 1063 mountain gorilla population. While in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, older people can consider starting their gorilla treks from the four regions, including Buhoma sector, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga.
With gorilla trekking adventures for older adults in Bwindi, we would recommend the Buhoma and Ruhija sectors. It is also essential to take time to read more about the gorilla groups present. This can enrich you with the information about each gorilla group in advance. Once you have enough information about the sector and its gorilla groups, you can let Native Africa Tours know of your preferred area. We can then book a valid gorilla permit for you through Uganda Wildlife Authority. The permit must be booked early, and as per our experience, we recommend booking it at least 2-3 months before the planned gorilla trekking date.
Gorilla Group Families in Buhoma & Ruhija
Buhoma sector is the northern gorilla region of Bwindi, and Ruhija is found at the eastern end. Each of these regions, like the southern sectors (Rushaga/Nkuringo), holds habituated gorilla families. Looking at the Buhoma sector, the gorilla families present include the Binyindo group, Muyambi, Katwe group, Habinyanja gorilla family, and Rushegura. The gorilla families present in the Buhoma region offer a unique opportunity for older adults to engage in the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience.
Ruhija gorilla families to track include Mukiza group, Oruzogo, Bitukura, and Kyaguriro gorilla group families. Each of the Ruhija gorilla groups has a unique story to share with trekkers.
Bwindi in General
Spanning over 331 sq. km, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest lies at an altitudinal range of 1160 to 2607m. Within the scenic Bwindi, there reside about 25 habituated gorilla groups, and the gorilla families present are tracked by a maximum of 8 eight guests each day.
The lush Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was established in 1991 with the primary view of protecting mountain gorillas and their rich habitat. Today, the park is home to more than the endangered mountain gorillas. It also contains other primates such as l’hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, and black and white colobus monkeys. Additional species of mammals to explore in Bwindi National Park include African civets, forest elephants, side-striped jackals, rodents, DeBrazza monkeys, vervet monkeys, African golden cats, olive baboons, and giant forest hogs.
Beyond wildlife, Bwindi protects about 350 species of birds. The diverse bird population in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park comprises mainly of the Albertine Rift endemics. They include Doherty’s bush-shrikes, Rwenzori batis, Grauer’s broadbill, African green broadbill, great blue turacos, Shelley’s crimsonwing, purple-breasted sunbirds, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, Rwenzori nightjars, and many others.
Gorilla Trekking Beyond Bwindi
Besides Bwindi, incredible gorilla trekking packages are also available in destinations such as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes, and Virunga National Park. Mgahinga is lying in the scenic Kisoro District, southwestern Uganda. Established in 1991, Mgahinga is the smallest of all the parks found in Uganda, covering only 33.7 sq. km of surface area. At Mgahinga, gorilla treks happen from the Ntebeko area and involve exploring the Nyakagezi group –the only habituated family.
Volcanoes National Park is another outstanding gorilla trekking destination in northern Rwanda. People regard it as the most accessible gorilla destination of all four mountain gorilla parks. Approximately 13 habituated groups live in Volcanoes National Park, and tourists can track them on a Rwanda tour.
Virunga National Park, the oldest of the four gorilla parks, lies in the Eastern Congo and contains eight habituated gorilla groups. They created the Virunga NP in 1925, and today, it occupies a land area of 7800 sq. km.
Gorilla Trekking Safari for Seniors: Key Arrangements and Services
Sedan Chair: The elderly visitors who can’t walk long distances can hire a sedan chair or bamboo carrier. These are two options for carrying older people and persons with disabilities to gorilla trekking spots to see gorillas. Porters carry guests, and they navigate through the montane terrain and dense forest to find a gorilla family.
Talk to your tour expert, and they will make special arrangements to find gorilla families that are not physically demanding. In Bwindi, there are various gorilla groups, each requiring varying levels of fitness.
Porters: You can hire porters to offer physical support during the guided gorilla trek. They can assist with heavy belongings.
Choose the right destination/region to track gorillas. Bwindi is the ideal location for the elderly visitors to explore during gorilla trekking. In Bwindi, the Ruhija sector is known for its less montane terrain and shorter treks, making it the preferred region for the elderly to visit for gorilla trekking.
Book customised private gorilla safaris. Customised gorilla tours can also be arranged, particularly for groups like the elderly. Categories of these categories often have a slow pace, and suitable packages can be designed to fit within their speed limit.
Book your gorilla trek tour in advance. Consider securing a slot in advance to avoid the last-minute rush. This can enable you to book essentials like the sedan chairs and also find specialised guides in advance.
Best Gorilla Trekking Packages in Ruhija & Buhoma
The best gorilla trekking packages for old people visiting Ruhija or Buhoma include a 3-Day Ruhija gorilla safari or a 3 Days Buhoma gorilla tour from Kampala/Kigali. Elderly persons can opt for road transport, preferably crossing from Rwanda for shorter drives, or take flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi Airstrip. At the Kihihi, a driver guide from Native Africa Tours can safely take you to check into your accommodation.
When to go for Gorilla trekking
The best time to go for gorilla trekking is during the dry season, when the weather conditions in the gorilla safari park are completely friendly. The dry season in the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest extends from June to September and also from December to February. The dry months experience exceptional weather conditions compared to the wet/rainy months: March, April, May, October, and November.
What to Pack for Your Gorilla Trekking Safari
You should include a camera, gardening gloves, long-sleeved shirts, waterproof hiking boots, and a water bottle when you think of a gorilla trekking safari. Other items include a sweater, a rain jacket, gaiters, a wide-brimmed safari hat, and a tin of insect repellent.
Accommodation Choices
Key accommodation considerations to stay include Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Bluff Lodge, Bwindi Neck View Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, and Silverback Lodge. In the Ruhija sector, the lodges with the best gorilla trekking packages for old people include Kiho Gorilla Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Broadbill Forest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, and Gorilla Mist Camp.
How to Get the Best Gorilla Trekking Packages for Old People
Talk to your specialized gorilla tour expert, Native Africa Tours to create a customized gorilla safari for you. We are experts in gorilla trekking experiences for all seniors on the Uganda gorilla safari. We put together all the essential logistics needed to create a memorable gorilla trekking holiday.
Conclusion: to find the best gorilla trekking packages for old people, significant planning is required. First steps first, contact Native Africa Tours to assist you through the entire process, and also take advantage of our fantastic offers for elderly travellers on the gorilla safari.
