Age limit for Gorilla Trekking

Age limit for Gorilla Trekking: Gorilla Trekking Age limit

Gorilla trekking in Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Natural Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park/ and Rwanda-Volcanoes National Park), with the controlling, managing, and directing authorities in these 2 destinations, the Uganda Wildlife Authority UWA(Uganda) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB( Rwanda) pointed out a minimum age of 15 years and above. But there are cases where a child below the required age (15 years) is brought along to do gorilla trekking with the parents. Before trekking the mountain gorillas, the National Park Authorities always find out if everybody has got to show his/her passport so as to find out that everyone is of the true and advised age}.

Why the 15-year-old Gorilla Trekking Age Limit

• Well, gorilla trekking being an activity, it’s not a completely safe enough process because we are dealing with wild animals, so their way of behaving can try/tend to change depending on the various moods and surroundings. It is therefore with proof any ways  a child 15 years of age and older can help himself /herself just in case anything happens because they are mature enough to obey the entire gorilla tracking rules.
• These gentle giants are characterized by intense feelings, causing them at times to fear and get scared by things like the flash light. Not only that, but they still charge based on what they feel; sometimes they get upset and feel challenged, instead wanting to fight back to prove their self-defense.
• The thickness and lots of trails in the trekking forest make it difficult for a child under 15 to handle, and with the directions, they may tend to go off  the trails since they venture much in playing.
• By nature, kids are so playful, and this might slow down the pace of the people responsible for them, which indirectly affects the rangers and the group at large. Based on the time limit given to spend in the forest, this child of 15 years and older can at least follow the instructions and be less playful throughout the trek.
• Based on the fact that gorilla trekking activity sometimes tends to require great effort (strenuous), it can involve hiking & walking long distances in dense forests and mountains in search of these gentle giants. It’s without doubt that children above the age of 15 are physically fit and strong enough to manage such.

Instances where a child under 15 may be allowed to Gorilla on a gorilla trek in Rwanda

However, the Rwanda Gorilla Trekking minimum age can be re-evaluated if the parents can prove that this child in question is approaching his or her 15th birth day. That is, if only this child/minor is in their late 14th grade and has enough strength to go on a gorilla trek. Of course, parents will be asked for details concerning this matter for this child, including current photos and passports.

Another instance where a child is accepted is when this child does prove maturity and is still very physically fit. With such qualities, the authorities may decide to let the child go on a gorilla trek in the Volcanoes National Park. Please contact Monumental Expeditions, who will instead contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority to see if it will be possible for your child to trek gorillas, and if it is approved, we will let you know.

Gorilla trekking age limit and gorilla permit price.   

In circumstances where a child under the age of 15 is allowed to gorilla trek in Uganda/ Rwanda, you will need to pre-purchase a Uganda or Rwanda Gorilla Permit for your child (contact monumental expeditions for advice). Let’s not also forget that Rwanda Gorilla Permits cost the same whether for children, minors, or adults, whereas for Uganda its $800 FNR, $500 FR, and Ugx 250,000 EAC. A gorilla permit is a licence/card that accepts you to go gorilla trekking and allows you to spend strictly 1 hour with a given family of habituated mountain gorillas in their natural habitats (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park-Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park-Uganda, Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda and Virunga National Park-DRC). Currently,  Uganda’s & Rwanda’s gorilla permits allow you to spend 1 hour with the gentle giants in their natural habitats.