
Minimum Age Of Gorilla Trekking
What is the minimum age of gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda & DR Congo? The Uganda wildlife authority, Rwanda development board, and institut Congolais pour la conservation de la nature have set up the minimum age for gorilla trekking. The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years old meaning children below the age of 15 will not be allowed to trek endangered mountain gorillas. Below are some reasons why the gorilla trekking age was set up.
Children are in most cases disposed to communicable diseases such as flu and cough and can easily spread to mountain gorillas that are vulnerable during the trek. One of the other reasons why the minimum age of gorilla trekking was set is that you can never predict the reaction of these children once they see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, children may easily get frightened and panic then run away, and this can lead to an attack by mountain gorillas which is dangerous.
The responsible authorities such as the Uganda wildlife authority in Uganda request for a client’s copy of a passport in order to check the age or you will be requested to provide a copy of your passport on the morning of gorilla trekking. At the briefing, before starting on gorilla trekking the rangers will deny anyone who is underage from trekking mountain gorillas.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking has been set up because sometimes these mountain gorillas may become annoyed by human presence in their natural habitat so in case gorillas show threatening signs of attack there are certain rules to be followed in order to suppress a mountain gorilla attack but children might instead get scared and scream when mountain gorillas begin intimidating and this can increase the attempt of gorillas attacking the group.
Mountain gorillas stay on higher elevations that will require some level of physical fitness, children may become very tired and make the group trekking mountain gorillas lag behind, children are naturally playful so they may leave the group during the trekking because there are many trekking trails and it will be hard to trace a child lost in the thick forest.
Children under the age of 15 are not only ones exempted from gorilla trekking but even people with infectious diseases like flu, cough, and diarrhea will not be allowed to trek mountain gorillas because mountain gorillas can easily contract human diseases and their immunity level is low so any infections can lead to the death of many.
Cases where a child below 15 years may trek gorillas
There are two instances where a child below 15 years may trek gorillas. When they are about to make 15 years, they might extend sympathy to such a child and allow him or her to trek gorillas. the second instance where a child below 15 years is allowed to trek gorillas is when they express maturity and they are physically strong. If the above is assessed and the child qualifies, they may decide to give that child a chance to trek gorillas in Bwindi, Mgahinga, or volcanoes national park. If you have a child in such categories, please contact Africa adventure vacations who will contact the Uganda wildlife authority if it will be possible for your children to trek gorillas and if approved, we will let you know.
In conclusion, you should not book gorilla permits when you are not above the age of 15 years because you will end up wasting time and money and you will not be allowed to trek. Gorilla permits should always be booked in advance of 3-4 months before arriving in the country because of high demand you might travel and find no permits available.