Can Old People Track Gorillas in Rwanda?

Can Old People Track Gorillas in Rwanda?

One of the frequently asked questions about gorilla trekking is “Can old people track gorillas in Rwanda?” Yes, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is also open to the elderly. Gorilla trekking adventures are flexible in the sense that all categories can embark on it to witness the mountain gorillas. The old (seniors) or persons with disability can engage in the trek with mountain gorillas.

Generally, Rwanda gorilla tracking has no maximum age. What is most important is that the person is above 15 years and he or she is fit enough. Because there is no maximum age limit, visitors as old as 80 can plan and embark on the trek with the Rwanda gorillas. Even if you are old and not fit to walk through the jungle, there are alternative measures available to make you realize your dream.

What is most important to take during gorilla trekking for the elderly?

In addition to your fitness level, safety and security are among the significant factors you must put into consideration. Luckily, gorilla safaris in Rwanda introduce you to one of the safest destinations to enjoy up-close and personal encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas.

The treks with mountain gorillas in Rwanda begin and end with the company of an armed and a well-trained park ranger guide. The presence of the park ranger guide is intended to ensure all tourists on gorilla trekking adventure are safe and so are the gorillas. It should be noted that all gorilla treks are carried out in the jungle and humans are like intruders in these large apes’ habitat.

Safety of the elderly is guaranteed because all gorilla treks in Rwanda are conducted on already habituated gorilla families. Habituated gorilla groups mean you interact with gorillas already familiar with the human presence.

The park rangers continuously monitored the park boundaries, not only but also by other security agents. Safety and security are a collective effort, and Rwanda as a nation is committed to ensuring that everyone is safe. Visitor safety is guaranteed from the time of landing till departure. To ensure a safe gorilla trek, it is important to exercise individual consciousness.

Where can the old people track gorillas in Rwanda?

Volcanoes National Park is the ideal location for the old to begin their adventure to witness mountain gorillas. Volcanoes National Park is found in Ruhengeri, Northwestern Rwanda. It is the only place to visit for gorilla trekking in this dubbed Land of a Thousand Hills. It is in Volcanoes National Park where Dian Fossey also spent over 18 years as a research and mainly studying more about gorillas.

Established in 1925, Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s oldest park and also covers a compact area of only 160 sq. km. The compact Volcanoes National Park prides itself of 13 habituated gorilla families for tourists to explore during a gorilla trekking tour. The gorilla groups to visit in Rwanda include the Kwitonda group, Umubano, Amahoro group, Agashya, Sabyinyo, Muhoza, and others.

During the gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda, visitors are expected to assemble at the Kinigi region to get briefed about the rules and regulations. The rules and regulations for gorilla trekking are a must to be observed for safety purposes and also to ensure protection of gorillas plus their habitat.

Gorilla trekking rules to observe by the elderly

Before the actual trek begins, visitors get briefed about rules and regulations. These are safety measures or precautions all tourists must observe in order to have a safe and secure gorilla trekking expedition. Not only do they apply to gorilla tours in Rwanda but also in other destinations like Congo, and Uganda.

1. Visitors must respect the maximum number of tourists on a visit to see gorillas. This is 8 people per habituated gorilla family. Exceeding the maximum acceptable number of tourists exploring a gorilla group means going beyond the carrying capacity of that family and can overwhelm it causing disruption of its daily behaviors.
2. Do not be tempted to go to visit gorillas alone. Embark on gorilla trekking with an experienced park ranger guide. The park guides can be available at the Kinigi area and the park official will allocate one to lead you.
3. All gorilla trekking adventures must be done an already habituated group of mountain gorillas.
4. When it comes to photography, it is advisable to turn off the flashlight of your camera. This should be done before you begin taking pictures. This is especially for visitors whose cameras have a flashlight. Alternatively, a visitor can also consider securing a camera that is free from the flashlight.

Other rules include;

1. A distance of 8-10 meters is recommended to be observed by tourists when interacting with a group of mountain gorillas in the wild.
2. Gorilla trekking is done by anyone above 15 years, below that you may not get a chance to embark on this life-changing experience.
3. As you navigate through the jungle in search of gorillas, ensure that you keep your voice low. Shouting in the forest isn’t allowed. This practice can scare away gorillas or make them charge, thinking they have been attacked in their habitat.
4. After you have helped yourself in the jungle, consider burying all human waste deep in the ground. Don’t leave feces on the ground as it risks these apes contracting infectious human diseases.
5. Keep your hands clean, you can sanitize or thoroughly wash the hands. You may also disinfect the legs/boots before embarking on the gorilla trekking session.
6. When sneezing, please cover your nose then your mouth in case you want to cough.
7. All visitors must have valid gorilla permits, and each Rwanda permit costs USD 1500 per person.

The best time to track gorillas in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda welcomes tourists all year round to appreciate the great adventures like gorilla trekking and other experiences. But the ideal time to travel to enjoy a gorilla trek in Rwanda is during the dry season. This can be around June, July, August, and September. Or visit Rwanda to track gorillas starting from December, January, to February. These are the unique months of the year when Volcanoes National Park generally low or even no rainfall completely making it easier to track gorillas on a drier ground and clear vegetation.

What to carry for gorilla tracking in Rwanda

The important gear or equipment to include on the packing list for Rwanda gorilla tracking include insect repellents, gardening gloves, waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, a daypack, a sweater, long pants, a first aid kit, a gorilla permit, visas, passports, a rain jacket, sunglasses, a safari hat, and more.

Safari lodges and camps in Rwanda

Accommodation in and around Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda includes Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Amakoro Songa Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Best View Hotel, Muhabura Hotel, Bisate Lodge, and others.

Getting to Volcanoes National Park to see mountain gorillas.

Volcanoes National Park can be reached by road, and you set off from Kigali, which is only 2-3 hours’ drive. Getting to Volcanoes National Park is safe using a 4×4 tourist vehicle, and you can be assigned a professional driver guide.