Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking: Age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda & Rwanda (15 years)
The Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda; Are you looking forward to going on a gorilla trekking safari to Uganda or Rwanda with your children? Both Uganda and Rwanda have a set Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking which is 15 years. Hiking to watch mountain gorillas in the wild is an exhilarating experience that compels you to move into the tropical jungles of Africa to explore the home of these endangered primates. For large groups of travelers preparing to go for a gorilla trekking safari, it is imperative to know the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking/Age restriction for gorilla trekking/Age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda & Rwanda. This complete guide is crafted to enlighten you about the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking and why there is an age restriction for gorilla trekking.
What is the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking? Age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo – Age restrictions for gorilla trekking
Although there is no appropriate phrase to define the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking/ Age Limit for gorilla trekking, this is simply the least/ minimum age required for a traveler to be eligible for mountain gorilla trekking. The Age limit for gorilla trekking is highly emphasized in all the three gorilla trekking countries (Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R Congo) to guarantee successful venturing for visitors into gorilla trekking safari holidays. The minimum age aims to ensuring safety for the travelers and gorillas during the encounters in the dense forests by eliminating points of vulnerability among the trekkers.
The Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking/Age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo is 15 years, however, the demands may be different when you decide to do the trekking from Uganda. The relevant authorities responsible for protecting, managing and overlooking the activities in gorilla trekking national parks (Gorilla Trekking National Parks) set the minimum age in the different countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
The Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda is 15 years. Uganda is a key destination for gorillas in Africa and is blessed with two i gorilla trekking National Parks; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In Uganda, the body responsible for setting the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking/Age limit for gorilla trekking is the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) which manages the rich wildlife conservancies including 10 National Parks & 12 game reserves in Uganda. The Uganda Wildlife Authority plays a crucial role in protecting the endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi and Mgahinga in their natural habitat. Power is delegated to the Uganda Wildlife Authority to determine which travelers are eligible for gorilla trekking, issuing the gorilla permits, and determining the age limit for gorilla trekking.
The Age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda
The Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda is 15 years. Rwanda is a renowned gorilla landing place, offering the most accessible gorilla trekking safaris in Africa. Rwanda attracts many travelers from different parts of the world who indulge in primate trekking to see the humble creatures in their natural habitat. The only gorilla National Park of Rwanda is the prominent Volcanoes National Park, which is found in the far Northwestern part of the country in the neighborhood of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. In Rwanda, the body in charge of setting the Age limit for gorilla trekking/Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking is the Rwanda Development Board ( RDB) that conserves and protects gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The Rwanda Development Board is therefore responsible for setting the eligible Age for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda.
Why is there a minimum age for gorilla trekking?
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is the least the age a trekker should possess at the time of doing the gorilla trekking adventure in either Uganda, Rwanda or D.R Congo. The Age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years because the individuals are considered adults who can handle the thrilling encounters of difficult terrains and silverback gorillas. The minors are travelers who have not hit the 15year age mark and are excluded by the authorities in charge from participating in these African adventures. This is due to the unpredictable nature of children under 15 in terms of behavior and their familiarity with such dense jungles who often pose a risk in the presence of wild animals, especially when silverbacks come close to trekkers or feel agitated.
However much the habituated gorillas express a high level of gentleness before humans in the wild, unpredictable moments during the trekking cannot be written off while considering to undertake the gorilla trekking safaris. Gorillas once threatened, they can show aggression which may pose a risk to gorilla tourism. In such circumstances, it is imperative to remain calm and submissive to express peace before the humble creatures something that children below 15 years may find difficult to exercise.
Reasons why children below 15 years are not allowed to trek gorillas
It is highly probable that children 14 years and below will not give full heed to the set rules and guidelines; keeping a reasonable distance, not making contact , covering your mouth while coughing or sneezing, and staying calm when the gorilla feel irritated and many more. The matter could get worse if the silverback is provoked by children screaming loudly or running away after a gorilla in the family charges at the travelers.
The other key reason for leaving out children is the challenging nature of gorilla trekking adventure that needs adequate preparation. Sound mental and physical fitness is required for trekkers which could be high demanding for youngsters whose mental and physical development is still low. The adventures for gorillas in their natural habitat pertain thick forest and dense bushes which are impassable. These impenetrable terrains are recommendable for only adults who are can tolerate the challenging vegetation.
During the difficult hiking for gorillas, children are more likely to retard the timely trekking. catch with fast advancing gorillas looking for new sources of food or feeding areas. The inexperience of youngsters is likely to slow down the movements because of the challenging terrains for navigation. This may lead to long hours during the trek and at times the visitors may miss out on seeing the gentle giants.
Youngsters exhibit low immunity which can be challenging during the trek into the heart of tropical jungles of Africa. The extremely cold and misty wilderness poses risks for colds, flu and cough. There are a lot of buds, mosquitos and plants that could bruise the skins of travelers. This high risk of disease could be vulnerable for mountain gorillas they share more than 98% of their DNA with humans, they are highly susceptible to human diseases and if they are infected, it may lead to death. To conserve and keep the number of gorillas shooting annually, the authorities in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R Congo set the Age limit of gorilla trekking or age restrictions for gorilla trekking.