Gorilla Trekking Age Limit in Africa
Gorilla Trekking Age limit in Africa has been the most and frequently asked question by several travelers who intend to spend time trekking the mighty gorillas in the wild. Keeping in mind the gorilla share at least 95% of their natural habitats. To begin with, one should be aware of the minimum age limit that is allowed to take part in gorilla trekking with in Africa and as of now, the minimum age limit is 15 years. Children below the age of 15 are not entitled to trek mountain gorillas in Africa with in the four destinations that harbor mountain gorillas. These gorilla trekking destinations include; Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park both situated in south western Uganda with in Kanungu and Kisoro district, Volcanoes national park within Rwanda and Virunga national park within DRC. The above destinations are the only places that travelers enjoy an adventurous gorilla trekking safari within Africa and the rest of the world since they are the only places to find these endangered mountain gorillas. The gorilla trekking age limit of 15 years was fixed by both the bodies governing the wildlife in Africa which include the Uganda Wildlife authority in Uganda, the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda among others.
Reasons why Gorilla trekking age limit in Africa was fixed at 15 years?
While you are planning to book an African gorilla trekking safari for you and your loved ones, please endeavor to inquire about the minimum age limit for gorilla trekking in Africa in order not to pay for that expensive gorilla permit and later your child is denied to engage in the trekking safari and in most cases these gorilla trekking permits are non-refundable. To avoid such loses, always read the gorilla trekking rules and regulations which include in the minimum age limit for trekking at 15 years. A person aged 15 years and above which minimum age is limit is in position to obtain a gorilla permit in any of the four mentioned gorilla trekking destinations at various costs. For instance a Ugandan gorilla trekking permit cost $600 but as of July 2020 to 2022, the Ugandan gorilla trekking permit is at $700 per person both young and old as long as you reach the minimum gorilla trekking age limit of 15 ears. In Rwanda, the gorilla permit costs $1500 per person and this considered the most expensive gorilla trekking permit in Africa and finally in a DRC Gorilla trekking permit costs $400 during high season and $200 in low seasons.
Back to the reasons why the gorilla trekking minimum age is fixed at 15 years!
There are different factors that pushed the wildlife bodies to fix the gorilla trekking age limit at 15 years and these range from the nature of the parks in Africa, long hikes, the maturity level of the trekkers and many more as elaborated in this article.
Nature of the parks: most of the gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda are located in hilly areas since mountain gorillas’ prefer to inhabit places that are elevated at a particular altitude thus trekking is best enjoyed by fit people. Gorilla trekking in Africa is such a strenuous activity that requires a particular fitness level, thus a child below 15 years of age is still looked at as young and weak to manage the full day hike through the thick blush and muddy slopes in search of habituated mountain gorillas. This activity is thus set apart for adult people who are at least 15 years of age and above as they are considered strong and able to endure the toil of trekking the mountain gorillas.
Maturity of trekkers: Mountain gorillas sometimes do charge when and of course a child might get afraid and scream or even run away which is very dangerous as the gorillas might run after the child and crate a fight thing that a stranger has attacked their habitat. Thus the children above 15 years of age are considered to be mature in mind and in position to follow all the guidelines given by the tour guide while in jungle amidst mountain gorillas and this helps them to do as told in case a silverback gorilla charges. A person above 15 years of age is in position to control emotions incase such incidences of gorilla charging occur while on a gorilla trekking safari in Africa.
Health issues: most people especially the children tend to pose communicable diseases such as cough and flue which can easily transmit to gorillas as these gorillas share human DNA. For that reason the children below 15years are looked at as the major carriers of such diseases and thus limited from engaging in gorilla trekking safari in Africa.
Cases where minors are allowed to take part in gorilla trekking in Africa
However much the age limit for gorilla trekking in Africa was fixed at 15 year, there are some instances where a child below 15 years of age may trek but this is very rare and the factors that may lead to it include; The cases where the child is celebrating the 15th birthday in the near months and a child that is physically fit and looking strong and healthy. In this case, parents are entitled to sign a document proving that they are responsible for whatever happens to the child while in the wilderness with gorillas.
Can I come along with my child below the trekking age limit?
Apart from the gorilla trekking age limit, some travelers also ask about the possibility of coming along with their little one while on a gorilla trekking safari. Well, most of the parks in Africa that offer gorilla trekking normally organize children activities where the minors that are below the gorilla trekking age limit spend ample time as the adults’ trek gorillas. Some of these children’s activities include Guided nature walks, cultural visits, boat cruise and many more.
Conclusion: 15 years still remains the minimum age limit for gorilla trekking in Africa with in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.
