Gorilla Trekking Uganda Minimum Age-Can a Child Trek Gorillas? The acceptable gorilla trekking Uganda minimum age or age limit is 15 years and above. Anyone of this age bracket and at their better health status can be allowed to track one habituated gorilla family in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. This Gorilla trekking minimum age applies to the rest of the mountain gorilla destinations: D.R. Congo and Rwanda.
Gorilla Trekking is the most sought for primate adventure when it comes to all safaris in Uganda. This unique wildlife activity is only enjoyable in Africa offering nature enthusiasts a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Besides Uganda, these large apes also survive in Rwanda and D.R. Congo. As a standard gorilla trekking rules, there is a set age limit/minimum age that is acceptable of anyone interested in engaging in this experience.
However, there can be some exceptions where those below the acceptable age limit can be allowed to trek to see the massive mountain gorillas in the wild. The circumstances leading to this will be explained later on.
Why minimum age limit?
There are many reasons why age limit for gorilla trekking is set at 15. First, it is believed if you are 15, such persons fall under the category of children. Such persons may not be in position to deal with the negative reactions, especially when mountain gorillas get irritated/charges at visitors. Mountain gorillas like other species are naturally calm and gentile animals, except when disturbed that they can be aggressive.
When a gorilla charges, children may not handle the situation and they can be forced to scream thus irritating these apes further or they can be tempted to run away and gorillas can follow them thinking otherwise. The only way to handle such situations is being submissive. While tracking gorillas, your park guide will often inform you on how you should behave when interacting with these creatures in the wild. Unlike children, grown up persons above 15 years can control emotions even if the gorillas charges.
Mature visitors are also less likely to get carried away as children can. They can easily observe the park guide’s instructions and generally the briefed gorilla trekking rules/guidelines. The gorilla trekking rules include among many no littering the park, maintaining a distance of 8 meters away from a family of mountain gorillas, no touching gorillas, no use of flashlight cameras and more.
Persons below 15 years may not also be mentally mature for gorilla trekking. For mature travelers, once they have decided to undertake Gorilla Safari Tour, they already know what they going for. Often children go for safaris just to accompany their parents. The excitement won’t be like that of the adults. Besides, to track mountain gorillas from start till the end requires certain level physical fitness and determination since it all involves walking through the vegetation and steep slopes.
Children usually carry communicable diseases such as flu and cough. These can be contracted by mountain gorillas considering the fact that they share up to 95% of their DNA with humans.
Under What Circumstances Can Child Track Gorillas?
There is an exception where persons below 15 can be allowed to track mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda. First, if there is proof that he or she is making his or her 15th birthday. But exception applies to visitors on gorilla safaris in Bwindi National Park in Uganda. But he or she should be physically fit to complete the entire gorilla trekking journey.
To be allowed to participate in gorilla trekking, the parents must provide evidence/proof that the child is making 15th birthday. The current photos and copy of passports must be provided.
What can one Do if the Child is Completely Young?
The fact that gorilla trekking Uganda age limit stands at 15 years doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t travel with children. There are plenty of options for children too to engage in while adults take on the thrilling gorilla trek. The available options include guided nature walks, visiting local schools, cultural visits/walks and more.
Where To Go To Trek Gorillas in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is only carried out in 2 places and includes Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These protected areas are located in Southwestern Uganda and accessing them takes 8-9 hours. They protect up to about half of the remaining 1063 mountain gorilla population with about 21 habituated gorilla groups.
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