Is a gorilla trekking tour best for families with kids? Yes, it is so long as the kids are of a minimum age. In Uganda and Rwanda, families can trek gorillas with their kids of 15 years and over. This is to enjoy a few hours in the forest aiming to watch the apes in their natural homes. Gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda are safe to do because you are accompanied by armed rangers and very experienced trackers. You only have to come ready to walk on challenging terrain with some areas steep compared to others.
Why must kids be at least 15 years to Trek Gorillas?
Gorilla trekking has got its rules, to ensure that families and other visitors are safe in the forest. For instance, you need to avoid talking loudly, maintain 7 meters’ distance away from gorillas, and do not touch gorillas etc. It is believed that kids below 15 years old might find it hard to follow these rules. They are still young and not emotionally or psychologically mature enough to avoid disturbing the peace of wildlife. They might talk in high pitches or even wander off the gorilla trails causing a lot of distress to wildlife. Wildlife might feel distressed and become aggressive towards the visitors.
Where Families can do gorilla Trekking with Kids?
A family in Uganda can do gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, southwest Uganda. Bwindi is 321 square kilometers and has 4 gorilla sectors with 22 habituated gorilla families, most available for trekking. The destination has a record 459 mountain gorillas, the most of any destination in the whole world. The forest is situated 502 kilometers from Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers a perfect alternative for gorilla trekking tours for families with kid. Occupying a space of 33.7 square kilometers, the destination is 499 kilometers from Kampala. That is if you travel along Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route. Unlike Bwindi, Mgahinga offers an intimate gorilla trek with a single gorilla family, Nyakagezi. Some of the gorillas found here can move in 3 different countries, Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo. It is also a place where you can see the 3 volcanoes that are part of the Virunga Ranges. These include Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo.
Two more gorilla destinations are found in Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Respectively, this is in Volcanoes and Virunga national parks. In Volcanoes National Park, track one of the 12 gorilla families that live in the 120 square kilometers of habitats. Virunga National Park on the other hand has 11 gorilla families that can be trekked by families. To drive to Volcanoes National Park, a distance of 105 kilometers is covered from Kigali. Meanwhile, your family can reach Virunga National Park from Kigali through Goma.
Cost of Gorilla Trekking for Families.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is charged per person and nonresidents from foreign countries pay $800. Residents from foreign countries pay only $700 per person and 300,000 Uganda shillings for East African Community citizens. In Rwanda, quite a similar approach is followed, only that foreign nonresidents pay $1,500 per person and $500 for foreign residents. East African Community citizens, including Rwandans pay $200 per person. In DR Congo, trek gorillas for only $400 per person if you are a foreigner and $200 for East Africans. Citizens of Congo can trek for only $20 per person.
What Activities Can Kids Do?
Families have a variety of activities to do together while at Bwindi and Mgahinga. In the forest and outside, nature walks are offered to allow your kids identify trees, herbs, waterfalls and other wildlife. The Batwa trail at Mgahinga is an experience guided by a Twa to appreciate Batwa culture. Your family can explore the Garama cave, plants and other aspects that ensured the survival of the Batwa in the forest. This is before they were evicted in the early 90s. Birdwatching is another activity that your kids can participate in. A lot of Albertine endemic species live in either park to be seen.
There are also hiking tours, especially at Mgahinga where you and your family can climb a volcano. Visit a Batwa Community just outside the forests to have an experience of unique cultures and traditions. Watch and also join a group of singers and dancers doing it in their traditional ways. Learn how they survived while living in the forests where they once dwelt for centuries.
Why Book Gorilla Trekking Tours for Families with Us?
We are Standard Safaris and offer customized tour packages, that include family gorilla trekking tours. This helps to match the pace and safety needs of all generations for unforgettable safaris even for your younger members. We can also secure the most accessible gorilla trails for comfortable journeys across the forest. For the porters, we can match you with supportive ones to ensure that they match your desires. Check out our TripAdvisor page to see how families enjoyed trekking gorillas with us. Contact us now to start planning your gorilla trekking tour with your family.
