Gorilla trekking for Disabled People

Gorilla trekking for Disabled People in Uganda

A disability is a physical or mental condition a person may have. It can make it more difficult or impossible for someone to complete some tasks or participate in some activity. Some people develop disabilities due to advanced age, sickness, Lifestyle choices, and personal behaviors. They may also be due to Musculoskeletal disorders among others. Gorilla trekking for Disabled People can happen under the right procedures.

Gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. It’s on record that Uganda protects more than half of the world’s existing mountain Gorillas. Other Mountain Gorillas are found in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking for Disabled People is meant for; the physically challenged and senior citizens (aged 60 and above). It is also meant for young persons (16 years and below), and the sick among others. In Uganda, Gorilla trekking is a daily, all-year-round activity and a lifetime activity that everyone should enjoy before death.

In that case, the Uganda government in conjunction with the Uganda Wildlife Authority did something. They set ways of enabling people with disabilities to encounter Gorillas in their natural habitat. Below are the top ten ways how you can do Gorilla trekking for Disabled People. This helps those people to meet Gorillas in the natural environment:

Inform Park officials in advance about the state of the clients.

Ask your clients about their special needs to prepare for them accordingly. Senior citizens, weak, sick, and physically challenged visitors need porters, sedan chairs, and so on to assist them in meeting gorillas with ease.

Hire porters

They assist in carrying guests’ luggage and carry visitors on sedan chairs among others. Porters need to earn a living from Gorilla tourism as a poaching control measure. Some porters used to do poaching to earn a living but today, they are part of the conservation team. Support them by hiring them to carry your luggage and sedan chairs.

Porters are readily available in Mgahinga National Park and in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In Bwindi, it is in the Buhoma sector, Nkuringo sector, Rushaga sector, and Ruhija sector.

Make use of stretchers/ sedan chair

Some jokers call it an “African ambulance” which is used to carry guests who are not capable of walking long distances to meet gorillas. The cost of hiring a sedan chair in Bwindi ranges from USD300-USD500. However, you need to consider the cost of lifting guests on sedan chairs which is negotiable but ranges from USD20-40 per porter for four or more porters. To lift a guest, you need a minimum of 4 porters.

Walking sticks

They are readily available at each park headquarters. Guests need a walking stick to support them through slippery jungle trails. Note that some trail spots tourists use during gorilla trekking are swampy and thus slippery, especially during the rainy season. The walk sticks are free of charge at Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking Sector and Rushaga Gorilla Trekking Sector. They are also available at Buhoma Gorilla Trekking Centre, Ruhija Gorilla Trekking Sector, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Group based on disabilities

People with disabilities should be in one group and caretakers should handle them with maximum care. The ranger guides should know that they are leading people with special needs. The ranger can decide to walk at a slow pace, use shortcuts, or choose to meet a nearby gorilla family, and so on.

Choose to trek with a nearby Gorilla family

In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, some gorilla groups colonize areas near the park headquarters.  People with disabilities or weak ones can not be able to walk long distances. So, it’s wise to make them trek gorilla families near the park office.

Walk at a slow pace

Some senior citizens (60 years and above) cannot walk fast so; the ranger should be able to know that. In 2013, a 94-year-old lady successfully completed a gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. That means that gorilla trekking is for all irrespective of age, gender, status, and so on.

Use proper gorilla trekking gear

To simplify gorilla trekking, the trekker needs to possess proper gorilla trekking gear. This includes waterproofed shoes, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, insect repellent, garden gloves, sunglasses, warm clothes, and rain jackets among others.

Move with enough safe drinking water for refreshment

It’s important to rehydrate your body during the walk to meet gorillas. The hustle of searching for gorillas in their natural habitat involves climbing hills and sloping valleys for some hours. Therefore, you can curb the tiresome journey by drinking water.