Gorilla Trekking Age Limit
Gorilla Trekking Age Limit is the cap that is put on the number of years that a trekker must have and must not go below in order to go trekking. 15 years is the minimum age limit for mountain gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC still remain the most enjoyable activities carried out by several travelers from different corners of the planet enabling trekkers to spend a full hour with the mountain gorillas after trekking them for over 2-7 hours or more. However, the most challenge faced by trekkers interested in trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC is the fact that gorilla trekking has an age limit which is normally 15 years. This implies that children below 15 years of age aren’t allowed to trek mountain gorillas in any location with in Africa let it be in Uganda, Rwanda or DRC.
The Gorilla trekking age limit is fixed by both the authorities responsible for wildlife conservation in each country in Africa. The question about the gorilla trekking age limit is the most frequently asked question by the travelers who would wish to have a gorilla trekking experience in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC with their loved ones. The answer is that as of now, the minimum gorilla trekking age limit is 15 years thus children below 15 years of age are not entitled to obtain a gorilla trekking permit.
It is always important to ask the crucial questions about gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC such as the minimum age limit to trek gorillas before going ahead to secure that expensive gorilla trekking permit and yet it can not be refunded or canceled.
Imagine booking a Ugandan gorilla trekking permit that goes for $600 per person to trek the mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park a place where you are sure of encountering mountain gorillas within the jungle that harbors over half of the total population of mountain gorillas in the world. The other location to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda is in Mgahinga gorilla national park a home to another population of mountain gorillas in the world but Mgahinga has few habituated gorilla families as compared to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park but the trekking permit also goes for $600.
Or a gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda that costs $1500 per person and a gorilla trekking permit for DRC that goes for $400 and the park officials refuse your child from accessing the mountain gorillas that he/she is still underage?
That could be the worst experience ever that has no solution. Thus in this article, I insist that parents who have underage children ( children below 15 years ) and really wish them to trek mountain gorillas in Africa to always get all the required and detailed information regarding the minimum gorilla trekking age limit and it is 15 years as of now.
Why is the minimum is the gorilla trekking age limit fixed at 15 years?
Well, the gorilla trekking age limit is 15years due to some factors considered and this age is actually included in the rules and regulations for gorilla trekking as explained below;
First and foremost, gorilla trekking is a tremendous activity that requires high levels of fitness to trail through the jungles thus children below 15 years of age are considered to be minors and unable to move long trails in search of mountain gorillas. This is because trekking gorillas involves really hiking up and down via muddy terrains, thick blush and requires really persistence which a child below 15 years of age might not tolerate.
In some cases gorillas charge and this might scare away the children hence running away or making some unnecessary noise that is not advisable while in the presence of mountain gorillas. This can actually make the gorilla fight.
Another reason as to why children below 15 years of age aren’t allowed to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC is the fact that most children have communicable diseases such as Flue, and cough which can easily spread to Mountain gorillas as they share at least 95% of their DNA with the human being.
Instances where children below 15 years are allowed to trek mountain gorillas in Africa – Uganda, and Rwanda
In some case, children below 15 years of age Maybe lucky and allowed to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda on particular terms and conditions which include;
Children whose 15th birthdays are approaching in about three months’ time and are physically fit and healthy can be allowed to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda. This is achieved when the parents forward the photographs of their children for evidence.
In some rare cases, also children below the age of 15 years can be allowed to trek mountain gorillas when they are trekking alongside their parents but these need to sign some documents before their children are offered gorilla trekking permit.
Also, children below 15 years of age are sometimes allowed to trek mountain gorillas as long as their parents accept to sign a letter of consent with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to trek gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda Development Board to emphasize that they are responsible for anything that happens to their children while in the jungle. These documents are signed by parents and approved by UWA and RDB, once the documents are approved but UWA and RDB, and then children below 15 years of age will be in a position to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga national park in western Uganda. These children should at least be 13 years of age, physically and mentally fit.
Children activities while their parents trek mountain gorillas
There is no problem to come with your children while on a Uganda gorilla safari, Rwanda gorilla safari and DRC gorilla safari since most of the parks have well-designated children activities that children below 15 years of age engage in while the adults trek mountain gorillas. These children activities include;
- Guided nature walks
- Boat cruise
- Visiting the caves
- Cultural
- Community encounters
The above activities really keep the children below 15 years of age very happy and busy throughout the day until their parents return from the fascinating encounter with the mountain gorillas.
Conclusion
The minimum gorilla trekking age limit is still at 15 years of age but the good chance is that still a parent can politely bargain with the authorities responsible in wildlife conservation and beg for their underage children to trek as long as they are soon approaching their birthdays and with clear photos for evidence that the children are strong and mature in minds to persevere any challenges and conditions in the jungle while on a gorilla trekking adventure in Africa.
