Gorilla Trekking For Seniors: Seniors refer to people or travelers between the ages of 60 to 65 years or more. These seniors are usually in their retirement period and are sometimes referred to as pensioners. While seniors are in their retirement age, they can engage in gorilla trekking safaris for a vacation. Gorilla trekking is one of the exciting activities that involves searching mountain gorillas on foot.
Gorilla trekking for seniors is usually done with special considerations. These include among others; visiting a gorilla family that is not so far, providing special gorilla trekking equipment, not walking for long distances, and being accompanied by expert safari guides. The maximum age limit for travelers to engage in this activity is about 75 to 85 years.
Native Africa Tours Ltd is pride in organizing excellent gorilla trekking tours for seniors. Our past clients have enjoyed amazing safari activities no matter hold old they are. With the help of our expert safari guides, you will be able to get the most out of your safari and create everlasting memories.
Why seniors should go for gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking for seniors is something to reckon with. It is a chance to get out of your comfort zone and create a signature of memories. Imagine spending time with the gentle giants! Below are some of the reasons we recommend gorilla trekking for seniors.
- Seniors usually get a special experience since their activity is arranged When planning a Uganda gorilla trekking tour or Rwanda gorilla safari for seniors, we go beyond barriers and out all the safari needs into consideration. Our safari experts listen attentively to your safari. Where possible we go off-the-beaten-path to ensure that seniors get the most out of their safari.
- Gorilla trekking for seniors goes beyond meeting the gorillas. Taking part in this activity helps our research teams collect information about the gorillas. Usually, seniors love to spend more time with the gorilla Most seniors love gorilla habituation experiences.
- Gorilla trekking for seniors allows you to spend time with the local members of the communities Improves the social interactions for the travelers where they can engage in the local communities during the gorilla trekking safaris.
- Gorilla trekking for seniors helps travelers to achieve personal achievements like overcoming challenges and also pursuing personal limits.
Important things to consider for gorilla trekking seniors
Tour operators as they plan gorilla trekking for the seniors, there are several important things to consider for the gorilla trekking for the seniors and they include;
- While planning the gorilla safaris for the seniors, there should be less driving time since from Kampala to the gorilla destinations in Uganda travelers take about 8 to 9 hours. Here travelers can engage in domestic flights to any airstrips near the park.
- The gorilla trekking tour if it is going to Uganda for seniors should at least start from Rwanda and Kigali Uganda since the destinations are near and sometimes the local domestic flights are quite expensive.
- Most of the seniors consider their safety and security during the safari for the gorilla trekking so the tour operators are supposed to plan the safaris to the secure destinations.
- Consider booking the gorilla families closer for travelers during the gorilla trekking safaris for the seniors.
Preparation tips for seniors planning a gorilla trekking safari
Preparation tips that seniors can engage in help them to ensure success during the gorilla trekking and some of these include;
- Consult the doctor about your health status if it is fit for the gorilla trekking and if it is not acquiring the necessary treatment before the safari.
- Engage in regular physical exercise to ensure that you are fit for the activity during the safari.
- Acquire the several vaccinations that the immigration offices require on the safari to the gorilla trekking.
Top destinations for gorilla trekking (Seniors must visit at least one)
There are several destinations that seniors can engage in for gorilla trekking and they include;
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in western Uganda and it is a destination with the highest number of mountain gorillas in the world. In this park, there are over 25 gorilla families that are habituated for gorilla trekking. For seniors to engage in gorilla trekking in this park are supposed to acquire a gorilla trekking permit. Gorilla trekking permits in this park are about 198 per day. They are limited in number so travelers are supposed to book in time to ensure availability during the safari. The gorilla trekking permit costs about 800 USD for foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for Foreign residents, 500 for the rest of Africa, and 300,000 UGX for East African residents.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
This is another gorilla destination in Uganda where travelers on their safaris can engage in gorilla trekking. It is located in southwestern Uganda at the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and within the Virunga region. The park is home to several mountain gorillas and there is one habituated gorilla family that travelers on their safaris can engage in for the safaris.
Volcanoes National Park
The park is in northwestern Rwanda within the Virunga region at the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is a great destination for travelers who are interested in the Rwanda gorilla safaris. Volcanoes National Park is home to several mountain gorilla families and the habituated gorilla families are about 13 in number and travelers on their senior gorilla trekking can engage in the park. There are about 108 gorilla trekking permits per day for travelers to see the mountain gorillas. The cost of these gorilla trekking permits is 1500 USD for foreign nonresidents, 500 USD for Foreign residents and East African residents, and 200 USD for East African residents.
Gorilla trekking tips for seniors
While on the gorilla trekking safaris, there are several tips that travelers should consider on the senior gorilla trekking safaris and they include;
- Seniors who are not fit enough for the trekking are supposed to hire a sedan chair which is operated by porters and costs about 500 to 600 USD.
- Seniors trekking are supposed to take their pace while trekking like taking breaks and stopovers where needed.
- They are supposed to use sturdy hiking shoes since the safari involves hiking in search of the gorillas and also the trekking routes are sometimes slippery.
- Listening and following the local guides during the safaris to ensure successful gorilla trekking.
- Carry enough water and energy snacks to keep hydrated and strong for the hike.
What is the best time for seniors to go for a gorilla trekking safari?
Gorilla trekking for seniors is done throughout the year. The best time for gorilla trekking for seniors is done best done in the dry season June to September and December to February since this time is when the gorilla trekking destinations are dry and clear which makes trekking easier. Also in this dry season, travelers are recommended to book in time to ensure availability during the safari.
