To trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Parks, visitors must adhere to Uganda’s minimum age requirement for gorilla trekking, just like it is in every other African country. UGANDA HAS $400 DISCOUNTED GORILLA PERMITS. The current Uganda gorilla trekking age limit is 15 years old, and any youngster under that age may not be permitted to view gorillas in their native habitat, as is the case with Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks. Uganda has the advantage of allowing children under the age of 15 to hike gorillas, especially if they do so with family members. When it comes to the minimum age for gorilla trekking, Uganda is a little more lenient than Rwanda. Hence, this.

What is the Gorilla trekking age limit?

Anyone under the legal minimum age to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park is deemed to be a minor or child and is therefore unfit. The gorilla trek minimum age is presently 15 years old. In Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, children and minors are not permitted to trek gorillas since it is thought that their behavior is unpredictable.

A toddler may opt to create noise or run, which may lead to gorillas attacking you. This is an excellent example or case study of how gorillas may react to you. The Uganda Wildlife Authority must impose a minimum age requirement of 15 years and older for gorilla trekking in Uganda in order to prevent all potential dangers.

Children often have communicable diseases that can easily be passed on to mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and/or Mgahinga National Park since people and mountain gorillas almost share the same genes. This is another reason why children under the age of 15 are not permitted to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and/or Mgahinga National Park. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo as well as all conservation stakeholders, mountain gorillas are no longer considered to be an endangered species. Uganda would like to maintain conservation efforts to ensure that human diseases do not spread to mountain gorillas.

The minimal age for Uganda, Rwanda and Congo gorilla trekking is 15, which is considered to be a typical and suitable age for the activity. All trekkers may need to be in good physical condition for this activity because gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga can occasionally be physically taxing. Although this may not always be the case, children and juveniles under the age of 15 are normally not allowed to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park due of their perceived physical weakness.

Why age limit of gorilla trekking is set at 15?

The minimum age requirement for gorilla trekking is 15 since younger visitors are viewed as youngsters who might not be able to handle any unfavorable reactions from gorillas. Although gorillas are generally peaceful and gentle creatures, they have the potential to become hostile if they feel threatened or believe that trackers are pursuing them.

When a powerful silverback approaches them or appears violent, children might not remain calm or hide. If the child screams or runs away, the gorilla may chase them. Acting submissive and keeping quiet are your only options when dealing with an aggressive or charging gorilla. When a gorilla charges, more experienced trekkers are better able to control their emotions.

Second, more experienced travelers are less likely to become intoxicated. Compared to younger trekkers, they are more likely to adhere to the park rangers’ laws and directions regarding gorilla trekking. The gorilla trekking regulations include that visitors must not leave litter in the park, keep at least 7 meters away from the closest gorilla, and refrain from ridiculing or making fun of the gorillas.

Thirdly, children might not be psychologically prepared for the activity. When an adult decides to go gorilla trekking, they are prepared for the experience. Children typically only accompany their parents on safaris. They might not share their parents’ enthusiasm for the vacation. Gorilla trekking demands perseverance, particularly if one has follow a gorilla group that has left the starting place.

Basing on the reasons,  young children might not be physically capable of completing a gorilla journey. Due to boredom or fatigue, they could slow down the tracking group or want to return to camp. High altitude regions are home to Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. It could be necessary to hike up steep, rocky terrain while spending a lot of time in the sun in order to find the gorilla troop. With these kinds of circumstances, kids could struggle and give up on the task. Older hikers typically have better fitness and the kind of stamina and perseverance needed to finish the activity.

Last but not least, very young children tend to get easily infected with communicable diseases like cough and flu (running noses). Mountain gorillas are very prone to human diseases. If they get infected with a flu, the results can be deadly.

Instances where children may trek gorillas

Children under the age of 15, but almost 15, may also be offered the opportunity to trek mountain gorillas. In other words, kids who are nearing the end of their 14th year and turning 15 years old. For instance, if a child has three months left before becoming 15 years old, there is a potential that they will be permitted to hike gorillas in Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks.

In this situation, parents will be required to write an official letter to the Uganda Wildlife Authority requesting information about their child’s age and physical condition and informing them of it. You will also be required to include your child’s passport and photos to help the authority determine your child’s age and physical condition. Amakula African safaris will ask you for payment after you have given your approval so that we may reserve your child’s gorilla permit.

Your youngster may be 12, 13, or 14 years old, but as long as they are traveling with their parents, they may be permitted to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga NP. Parents are required to sign a permission and liability agreement with Uganda Wildlife Authority on behalf of the child in order to protect the child from any potential harm and to hold the parents accountable for anything that occurs to the child while trekking mountain gorillas.

Amakula African Safaris will help you collect liability paperwork from Uganda Wildlife Authority offices, scan them, and email them to you for signature and return to us. Amakula African safaris will ask you to pay for your child’s gorilla permit, which we often pre-book, after this is authorized and your request has been addressed.

After everything is said and done, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which oversees all of Uganda’s national parks, has complete ownership of the rights to admit children under the age of 15. Before UWA confirms it, Amakula African Safaris cannot guarantee that your child under the age of 15 will go gorilla trekking. Our desire is to help you obtain authorization for your child to trek gorillas in Uganda, and it is our obligation to do so. Parents of children under the age of 15 who wish to go gorilla trekking in Uganda should get in touch with Amakula African Safaris as soon as possible so that we may begin the necessary paperwork.

Safari activities for minors/Children

Don’t worry if your children are not given the opportunity to trek gorillas; Amakula African Safaris and the lodges we partner with will look after them while you trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. Our team will stay with your child the rest of the time and keep him or her occupied. Our kid may participate in activities for kids like biking, birding, and nature walks. You can take your kids on various safari activities in Uganda, like as game viewing, boat excursions, and cultural performances, without any prerequisites. Please feel free to get in touch with Amakula African Safaris in advance to make arrangements for such activities.

Why choose Amakula African safaris for your Uganda gorilla safari

Leading the charge in planning unforgettable gorilla and wildlife safaris to Rwanda and Uganda is Amakula African Safaris. To help you make informed decisions and plan appropriately, we offer trustworthy and accurate information. Safari reservations as well as travel adviser have nothing but positive things to say about Amakula African safaris. Visit our Trip Advisor page and leave us a review to add to our success story.