Gorilla Trekking For People With Disabilities
An encounter with mountain gorillas in the jungle is a dream for most if not all travelers on African safaris. The critically endangered apes dwell in mountainous rainforests of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo between 2,300 to 4,500 meters above sea level. The endangered species (mountain gorillas) are therefore called after the mountainous regions they live. Gorilla safaris therefore call for a deep travel to Bwindi Impenetrable forest, Mgahinga gorilla, Volcanoes and Virunga national parks in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo respectively. Presently, Congo gorilla tours are on halt till 2019 to solve insecurity issues in the park associated with kidnap of travelers and killing of national park. Some times, mountain gorillas hike to areas of very high altitude in search of food which make Mountain gorillas hike to areas of high altitudes in search of food and are ever on move.
The strenuous hikes associated with gorilla trekking has on several occasions hindered some travelers especially the physically unfit from enjoying this memorable encounter.
The older, less mobile and physically disabled people have always found gorilla trekking difficult due to the steep hikes and long hours f trekking.
However, Africa Adventure Safaris is there to make it simple for you. Despite your age, or physically fitness, we offer you affordable options on how you can also enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.
Gorilla trekking experiences typically involve hiking up mountains through thick and impenetrable forests which sometimes tale several hours depending on the location of the allocated gorilla family and the speed of their movements.
Sedan chairs/bamboo stretcher carrier
Travelers with disabilities have an alternative of using sedan chairs. Sedan chairs can be borrowed. Visitors with disabilities have a chance to choose between a trencher and a sedan chair. The travelers are carried into the forest but the cost of transport depends on the distance, terrain and the weight of the client. The total cost of carrying is roughly 300 dollars. Sedan chairs are borrowed from the park headquarters and porters and four porters carry a traveler d with disabilities up into the hills. Since the initiation of gorilla tourism in Uganda and Rwanda, these services have always been offered. Travelers with disabilities are advised to wake up very early and transfer to the park headquarters. Immediately after the briefing, porters carry the unfit in the sedan chairs and together with the other travelers in a group of eight hike into the forest. Many travelers have used these services and their testify how thrilling this experience feels.
The sedan chair is made up of metal poles with a seat slugging between them. One traveler who used the sedan chair as thrilling as riding on a horse.
After meeting mountain gorillas, travelers are put down for clear photography and gorilla filming. Besides metallic sedan chairs, travelers with disabilities are carried in bamboo stretcher up into the jungle. These stretchers are made of bamboo trees, the common tree specie in gorilla habits. As with sedan chairs, a traveler sits in these stretchers and four porters carry him/her to and from seeing mountain gorillas.
How long does it take to see mountain gorillas?
The time spent trekking to see mountain gorillas vary from time to time. Hiking can be as short as 30 minutes to several hours or even a full day depending on the location of mountain gorillas and the speed of their movements. Gorilla families in the jungle split in areas of high and low altitudes. This tells that some gorilla is easy to find while others are difficult to find. During in pre-gorilla trekking briefing, travelers are put together in groups of eight each group allocated to one gorilla family. The hikes are termed as low, medium and high depending on the difficulty of trekking in that region. Travelers are always urged to disclose their physical abilities to their guides so they can given gorilla families in their range. The aged and those with disabilities are normally given gorilla families in low altitude areas to avoid long hikes.
How to ensure physical fitness
In preparation for the actual date of trekking mountain gorillas, travelers are urged to do enough exercises to ensure fitness. The recommended exercises include stretching, hiking and walking long distances to be ready. Exercises prepare you for strenuous hikes to avoid difficulties associated with gorilla trekking.
In general, travelers have alternative ways to enjoy gorilla trekking experiences. Travelers with disabilities are urged to use the available opportunities (sedan chairs, and bamboo stretcher chairs) and be part of this life changing experience. Book a gorilla safari today with gorilla trek Africa, meet face to face with he gorillas in the jungle with no difficulty.