What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking? Unlike game drives, the minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is 15 years. This is a standard age limit set for all travelers on gorilla safaris and they would to track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Southwestern Uganda; Virunga National Park in Eastern DRC and Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province of Rwanda.
Respective gorilla safari park authorities set 15 years as the minimum age for gorilla trekking and these include the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Virunga National Park authorities. Persons within this age brackets and above are considered eligible to track habituated family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Mountain gorilla trekking isn’t an ordinary activity which is why age limit is essential. To strike your imaginations with a group of the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild is a process while considering in mind that these apes can change their daily behavior which persons below 15 years may not manage.
When reserving a gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda, it is a must-requirement for tour operator or reservation team at Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board should know before presenting visitor details to secure a gorilla trekking permit.
Reasons for minimum age for gorilla trekking
There are a million reasons why minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years but specifically, persons below this age bracket are regarded as children. Children/the young may portray unpredictable traits which may cause change in behavior of these apes. Because humans are literary foreigners in these great apes’ habitat, such behavior may irritate them something that may cause harm to the rest of trekkers. To avoid such to happen, it was wise setting minimum age to be 15 years as persons under this category are considered matured.
Also, gorilla trekking requires one to be physically well to make a complete hike. Persons below 15 years are considered weak and given the steep slopes then general nature of habitat for mountain gorillas, it may be challenging for those under this category to make a complete hike to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga National Park.
Mountain gorillas share about 98 percent of their DNA with humans making them very susceptible to infectious diseases. Considering this fact, persons below 15 years are normally carriers of most communicable diseases such as cough, flu that easily can spread to these creatures whose population only remains 1063 in the world.
Conditions under which children below 15 years can track mountain gorillas
Persons below 15 years can be permitted to track mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National on condition that parents present proof to Uganda Wildlife Authority on his or her physical wellness.
Also persons whose birth date is close to 15 can have a chance to track mountain gorillas. This is in consideration that he or she is in their 15th birth day however, proof will be required which parents should present.
The other option is parents should be willing for their children to go track mountain gorillas and there are consent and liability forms to be signed from UWA. Therefore don’t hesitate contacting us for any help as we can assist pick them for you, scan and also send to you then you send them back to UWA Headquarters. We will also help reserve for you and your child gorilla permit and also arrange gorilla safari to Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.