What is The Age Limit for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo?
What is The Age Limit for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo? Trekking with gorillas is a unique experience that can only be had in Africa. However, only three countries worldwide provide the popular pastime of mountain gorilla trekking: Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Consequently, we observe that a growing number of tourists visit each of the aforementioned nations each year in an attempt to encounter these rare animals. However, during some months of the year, particularly during the busiest times of the year, which are June to mid-September and December to February, gorilla trekking permits may appear to be hard to obtain.
Planning a gorilla safari frequently raises the question of whether there is an upper age limit for gorilla trekking, particularly if the traveler frequently brings children along.
Gorilla Trekking Safari Minimum Age:
Although all three countries have a 15-year-old age limit for gorilla trekking, there are certain exceptions in Uganda, as you will discover as you read on. The various government agencies in charge of overseeing the national parks determine the minimum age requirement for gorilla trekking.
The “UWA” Uganda Wildlife Authority, which is situated a few kilometers from Kampala, the country’s capital, is responsible for updating all gorilla laws and regulations in Uganda. The Rwanda Development Board, or “RDB,” establishes the gorilla regulations in Rwanda.
Why is the 15-year-old age limit for gorilla trekking set?
Because younger tourists are thought to be children who would not be able to handle the unpleasant reactions of gorillas and the dense bush, the age limit for gorilla trekking is set at 15. Be aware that although gorillas are generally peaceful and kind animals, they can turn hostile if they feel threatened. In that sense, when a powerful silverback reacts violently, kids may not remain silent or calm. Just be aware that the gorilla may chase after the child if you scream or flee.
Gorillas can only be kept from charging if they are submissive and remain hidden. When a gorilla charges, adult tourists know how to regulate their emotions, so this is not the case.
Furthermore, compared to younger trekkers, older travelers are more likely to adhere to the park areas’ Gorilla Trekking Rules and are less prone to get carried away.
What are the guidelines for gorilla trekking?
Gorillas should be kept at a distance of roughly 5 to 7 meters.
Avoid eating or drinking in the park.
Respect the hourly time allotted by the park ranger at all times.
Be sure to wash your hands before going gorilla trekking.
Stay in a close-knit group at all times.
Flash discs frighten gorillas away, so avoid using them.
You want a long hole when you fill it, but in the gorilla habitat, ask your park ranger guide to dig you a 30-meter-long hall and fill it in.
Furthermore, young people might not be psychologically prepared for the activity; by the time older tourists choose to go gorilla trekking, they are aware of what they are getting into. Children typically go on safaris by then and simply need to be accompanied by their parents, which indicates that they are not as eager about the trip as their parents are. It should be noted that she needs to be determined to complete gorilla trekking, especially if it entails tracking a gorilla group that is located far from the main beginning location.
Furthermore, young children may not be physically capable of going gorilla trekking since they may become bored or exhausted and slow down the tracking team.
Note: High altitude Virunga regions are home to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Hiking up steep, rugged, and sun-exposed locations may be necessary to find mountain gorillas. In other words, kids might not be able to handle these kinds of situations and end up not finishing the task. Hikers with more experience or who are older are typically in better physical condition and can handle the level of perseverance and resolve needed to finish the task.
Since we share 98% of our DNA, youngsters frequently get the flu and cough, which can easily infect mountain gorillas, making them extremely vulnerable to human illnesses.
For the reasons listed above, national parks should continue to be supervised by primate researchers, who have imposed a minimum age of 15 for gorilla trekking.
An additional means by which kids could be permitted to follow gorillas to their destinations;
Since we previously discussed the typical age limit for gorilla trekking, you shouldn’t be upset if you can’t go gorilla trekking with kids you think are old enough but aren’t quite 15 years old. Anyway, don’t give up because the only youngster who is eligible for an exception is a 14-year-old who is turning 15 years old.
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda is the only place where gorilla trekking is permitted for those who are “14 years old.” Keep in mind that the child needs to be old enough and physically capable of hiking through the dense forest. Furthermore, the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park are steeper than Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
With the exception of the eligible child, “UWA” mandates that parents send the Uganda Wildlife Authority photos of their child along with accurate details about their maturity and level of physical fitness.
Only children who are at least 14 years old or about 15 are permitted. Parents must provide copies of their valid passports and up-to-date photos in order to confirm their age.
If a parent is present, children under the age of 15 may also be permitted to go gorilla trekking. To shield the company from liability in the event of an issue during gorilla trekking, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, or “UWA,” will ask parents to sign an indemnification agreement.
A gorilla family close to the beginning site will then be assigned to the child by the park warden. If the child is exhausted, you, as their parents, can choose to make things easier for them by employing more porters to carry them in sedan chairs. For older hikers who would like to participate in the activity, sedan chairs and porters are also advised.
Furthermore, a tourist who intends to go gorilla trekking with a youngster under the age of 15 who is mature and physically healthy.
However, you can still bring a 13-year-old child to a gorilla trekking destination. While they might not participate in gorilla trekking, they can participate in park activities while their parents go gorilla hunting to find gorillas in their natural habitat.
Children staying with hotel staff can participate in games and kid-friendly films, go on a nature walk, visit a local school, or on a cultural trip. You have the option to rearrange your trip to arrive when the kids are old enough.
Gorilla trekking eligibility in Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda is taken into consideration;
Note: Trek-tracking mountain gorillas is possible for visitors over the age of fifteen. Because of this, before obtaining a gorilla permit, the wildlife authorities in all three nations will need a copy of your passport. Just be aware that you need a legitimate permit in order to go gorilla trekking, and you cannot obtain one without a valid passport. At the gorilla trekking briefing location, the gorilla permit must be present.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda costs $800 per person every trek-track, whereas Rwanda triple that price. Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1,500 per person per day, while those in Congo cost $450 per person per day.
