Gorillas live in subtropical and tropical rainforests at elevations of 1,000-2,000 meters above sea level, which is why they are called mountain gorillas. Trekking mountain gorillas requires hiking, so it is usually recommended for people who are physically fit due to the challenging terrain.
However, gorilla trekking is not limited to physically fit people. Elderly visitors, people with disabilities, and pregnant women can also trek mountain gorillas using sedan seat stretchers for convenience.
A sedan seat stretcher is a type of chair used to carry people with mobility challenges, elderly visitors, or pregnant women. Porters carry you on a sedan seat stretcher along with your luggage through the jungle to the gorillas’ habitat.
Once mountain gorillas are found, the porters put the chair down, allowing you one hour for observation and photography. Afterward, they carry you back to the starting point. A sedan seat stretcher is made with a chair slung between poles and secured with seat belts.
There are also bamboo stretchers, made from bamboo trees found in the gorillas’ habitat, which are used similarly to the sedan seat stretcher. Four porters carry the client from each corner of the chair.
Cost of a Sedan Seat Stretcher
A sedan stretcher costs $400 in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These stretchers are limited and must be booked in advance before arriving in the park. Sometimes, the cost of the stretcher depends on the client’s weight and the distance to be covered.
Cost of Gorilla Permits
Gorilla trekking is the most expensive tourist activity in Africa. In Uganda, permits cost $800 per person. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park also offers a gorilla habituation experience, which costs $1,500 per person. In Congo, gorilla permits cost $400, while in Rwanda, they cost $1,500 per person.
Best Time to Visit Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park can be visited year-round. However, for people using sedan seat stretchers, the best time to visit is during the dry months of June to September and December to February. During this time, the roads to the park are accessible, and the trekking trails are less muddy and slippery, making it easier for porters to navigate the jungle with the stretcher.
How to Get to Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda. It can be reached by road in 9-10 hours from Kampala. Alternatively, tourists can fly to Kihihi Airstrip near the park from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield.
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