Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Tours for Elderly

Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Tours for Elderly – An Adventure Tailored for Senior and Disabled Visitors to Volcanoes National Park

Introduction to Rwanda Gorilla Tracking for Elderly

For elderly travelers and those with disabilities, embarking on a Gorilla tracking adventure in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a dream that can be realized with the right support. Trek Africa Tours, your trusted tour operator, specializes in organizing Gorilla tracking tours customized for elderly seniors. Mountain Gorillas, magnificent and elusive creatures, find their habitat on the forested highlands of the Virunga Massif and in Bwindi Forest. The Virunga Massif spans across Mgahinga, Volcanoes, and Virunga National Parks in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, respectively. Given their habitat in highland elevations, Gorilla tracking inherently involves hiking. Rwanda boasts 10 habituated Gorilla families, ready for tracking every day.

Gorilla Tracking Tips for Older Travelers

1. Booking Gorilla Permits: Older travelers are advised to secure two Gorilla permits. This strategic move allows them to request visits to Gorilla families known for being easier to reach and observe.
2. Porters: Local community members living near the park, referred to as “potters,” offer assistance by helping carry visitors’ bags and providing a helpful push or pull. Older travelers are encouraged to hire two porters each, ensuring a smoother experience. Additionally, a comfortable Sedan chair option is available, where four individuals assist in transporting the elderly from the starting point to the Gorillas and back.
3. Additional Rest Days: It’s advisable for older clients to spend an extra day at the lodge before their first Gorilla trek. This extra time helps acclimatize to the altitude, provides an opportunity to discuss their specific needs with park officials, and allows for relaxation before embarking on a second trek.
4. Personal Experienced Private Guides: These guides possess extensive experience in Gorilla trekking, basic first aid skills, and the ability to foster strong connections between visitors, porters, security personnel, and trackers during the trek. They ensure thorough preparation before each Gorilla tracking excursion.
5. Medical Declaration: Travelers are required to declare their medical records and provide contact information for their personal doctor. This information remains confidential and is shared only with the designated private guide.

How to Reach Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is located in the small village of Musanze, formerly known as Ruhengeri, which is easily accessible by public transport from Gisenyi, Kigali City, or Kigali International Airport. The journey to Volcanoes National Park takes approximately 2-3 hours, allowing for Gorilla tracking on the same day with a return trip to Kigali after the trek. It is essential to arrive at the National Park headquarters in Kinigi by 7:00 am, so early departures from your starting point are recommended. Please note that there is no public transport available from Musanze to the National Park headquarters in Kinigi.

Best Time for Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Tours for Elderly

Gorilla tracking tours in Rwanda are possible throughout the year. However, certain seasons are more favorable:

• Dry Seasons: The best time to visit Rwanda for Gorilla tracking is during the drier seasons, which occur from December to early March and from June to September. December to March constitutes an extended dry season with temperatures sometimes reaching 29 degrees Celsius. This period offers favorable hiking conditions and minimal chances of rainfall, providing an excellent opportunity to explore the rainforest.
• Wet Seasons: Although considered the rainy season, the months of March to mid-May and July to September can be appealing to budget-conscious travelers. During this period, hotels have lower occupancy rates, offering discounted food and accommodation. Additionally, there is less demand for Gorilla permits, ensuring a chance to see these endangered species with fewer competitors.

It’s important to note that even during the dry seasons, it’s advisable to carry waterproof clothing due to the unpredictable equatorial climate.

Safari Highlights

• Visit the Genocide Memorial site and Kigali museum.
• Enjoy a scenic drive through Rwanda’s picturesque landscapes.
• Embark on an unforgettable journey tracking Mountain Gorillas.

Suggested Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Tours for Elderly Itinerary

Day One: Arrival in Kigali International Airport and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Upon arriving at Kigali International Airport, our driver/guide will greet you, and your adventure commences with a complimentary tour of Kigali City. Known as the “land of a thousand hills” and named by Dr. Richard Kandt in 1907, Kigali is surrounded by lush green hills. Explore captivating spots such as the craft market, Gisozi Genocide Memorial site, and Kigali museum. Afterward, depart for Ruhengeri, the second-largest town in Rwanda, boasting a stunning backdrop of five volcanic mountains—the Virungas. You’ll arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Drive time: 2-3 hours

Day Two: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Begin the day with an early breakfast before heading to the National Park headquarters to meet your ranger guides. After completing park formalities, embark on the once-in-a-lifetime experience of tracking Mountain Gorillas. Once you spot them, you’ll be allowed to spend an hour observing these magnificent creatures at close proximity. The trek through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga Massif is a magical and strenuous experience. Tracking these massive primates, with fewer than 900 living today, is a wildlife encounter like no other.

Day Three: Second Gorilla Tracking Experience in Volcanoes National Park

After an early breakfast, proceed to the National Park headquarters for your second day of Gorilla tracking. Just like the day before, once you spot the Gorillas, you’ll have an hour to observe them up close. Take this opportunity to connect with these remarkable creatures in the heart of the rainforest. The trekking experience may be physically demanding, lasting up to six hours or more at a relatively high altitude. It’s recommended to be in good physical condition for your enjoyment.

Return to your hotel for lunch, followed by dinner and overnight. If time allows, you may visit the Iby I’wacu cultural village, where former poachers share cultural insights and entertain visitors with their rich heritage.

Day Four: Return to Kigali International Airport for Your Flight Home

After breakfast, bid farewell to your hosts and depart for Kigali. Enjoy some last-minute shopping in one of Africa’s friendliest capitals before heading back to the airport for your onward international flight.

Drive time: 2-3 hours End of Service