Minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda or D.R. Congo; Gorilla trekking is a wonderful experience that allows visitors to stay in the presence of habituated gorillas for one hour as you watch them do daily chores for one hour. For one to take part in gorilla trekking safaris, they must travel to East Africa, primarily in the countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo the homes of mountain gorillas which are habituated and available for visitors to trek.
In Uganda, mountain gorillas can be trekked from two national parks; Bwindi impenetrable national Park and Mgahinga gorilla national Park. Both national Parks are host to half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the whole world.
In Rwanda, gorillas are trekked only in Volcanoes National Park while in Democratic Republic of Congo, Virunga National Park is home to these amazing primates. Lowland gorillas on the other hand can only be seen in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, before D.R. Congo.
Gorilla trekking is such an ultimate and rewarding experience that everyone in the world doesn’t want to miss.
The governments of these three countries together with park management boards had to set the allowed age for trekking, which is 15 years and above. Everyone below 15 years is referred to as a young person not supposed to trek gorillas because of the following reasons;
Since gorillas share 98% DNA like that of human beings, infecting them with diseases such as cough and flue is very possible.
Another reason why travellers below 15 years of age are not allowed to trek is that they may fail to handle any aggressive manner that gorillas may display and they might think of either running away or screaming for help instead of lowering themselves and this can make gorillas run away to their hideouts.
These young travellers are not mature enough to go for such an experience because it will tire them as it involves walking for long distances looking for the gorillas and for the young travellers are interested in a short and interesting experience that will keep their minds very active. Also controlling them becomes very difficult as they may keep moving close to the gorillas, and one is supposed to stand in front of them at a distance of at least 10 meters.
Since it involves moving for long distances searching for gorillas, the young people may not afford to move for about 7 hours trekking for gorillas and they are also not fit enough to hike up and down the mountains. This can slow the experience or they may even ask you to go back to the office before reaching the allocated gorilla family for you to trek.
All these can restrict young people from trekking gorillas and thus being restricted to only those who are older and cautious enough to abide by instructions. But whoever is below 15 years and feels like taking part in a gorilla trekking tour should not worry as there are waivers given to the 15 years old who are fit enough to take on the trek.
Like in Bwindi impenetrable national Park of Uganda; if you are below the age and your parent is sure that you are mature enough to take part in gorilla trekking, you will be allowed but on one condition, if you are making 15 that real trekking day. Also if you are able to hire porters to carry them in sedan chairs or stretchers, there is no way how your child who is not fir enough can be stopped from trekking.
There are also other activities that children who are below the age of 15 can take part in, apart from just gorilla tour experience –including nature walks, community tours and so much more.
