Gorilla trekking for the disabled guests / can a disabled do gorilla trekking?: The disabled people should not wonder whether they would take part in gorilla trekking tours or not. The answer to this question is obviously yes! gorilla trekking for the disabled is very possible and well organized in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo where these mountain gorillas stay. Gorilla trekking is one of the adventurous activities one should not miss though it needs one to be physically fit to concur strenuous hikes through mountainous areas where these mountain gorillas live.

Gorilla trekking for the disabled guests

The good news is that even for those travelers who are disabled or not physically fit, they still have a chance to take part in gorilla trekking safaris without any doubt. The physically disabled persons who want to take part in gorilla trekking tours, it is advisable to book earlier with us a registered tour operator so that we can prepare whatever it needs for you to track gorillas seamlessly. Most importantly is a modern sedan chair or traditional stretchers which are hired separately at a cost of USD 500 and USD 350 respectively.

These sedan seats have got handles which the porters use to carry and seat belts that make it more comfortable for the visitor. Porters are responsible for carrying visitors from offices to where the gorillas will be found and be carried back to park offices after trekking. As you hire porters to carry you, you will be contributing much to the community and their families because it is that money that they use to improve their livelihoods. Porters will as well help carry your bags, binoculars, cameras and other things you may need to carry on your gorilla tour.

A stretcher chair can also be your other option, made of bamboo. It is very comfortable as well and porters will carry a visitor from the briefing area to where you will trek from and even carry you back. Also, your tour operator will make sure that they get good cars that can transport you right from the airport to your accommodation and then from there back to park offices.

Another possible way of trekking gorillas for the disabled is to consider Bwindi impenetrable national park of Uganda. This park is not at a higher altitude like other gorilla destinations in the world. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 4 sectors which include; Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Buhoma sectors, but among all these sectors, Ruhija is the best for disabled people because its gorilla families are not found far away from park offices and if you are lucky enough you can even find gorillas within 30 minutes of trekking.

About gorilla trekking experience; Gorilla trekking is when a group of 8 people who are free from any infectious diseases like flue and cough are led into the forest by park ranger guides to trek for these endangered apes and when they are found, visitors are left in their presence for up to one hour, which is spent through taking photos and getting to learn about their behaviors.

To trek mountain gorillas, you need to travel to Africa in countries mentioned above; Uganda in Bwindi impenetrable national Park and Mgahinga gorilla national Park, Rwanda in volcanoes national Park and Democratic Republic of Congo in Virunga National Park.

These gorillas share 98% DNA similar to that of human beings and they also live in groups or families just like human beings. They live in groups of 2-100 individuals being led by a silverback and its role is to head the group and take good care of other members.