Gorilla trekking age limit
Gorilla trekking age limit.The gorilla trekking age limit in the countries where gorilla trekking is carried out is different. Gorilla trekking is an activity that takes tourists through the dense forests in search of mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas live in lush green rainforests, and they can only be found in three countries in the world. Mountain gorillas can be found in the Virunga massif region, which is made up of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Because mountain gorillas are an endangered species, there are so many rules and regulations that were set up to protect them, and one of them is the age limit, which is to be followed by all trekkers.
Most Popular Safaris
3 Days Gorilla Habituation Safari through Kigali
2 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda
3 Day Murchison Falls National Park Safari
3 Day Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari
3 Day Lake Mburo National Park Safari
8 Day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari
3 Days Gorilla Habituation Safari through Kigali
The gorilla trekking age limit was set by the authority bodies, which are the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda, and other conservationists, in a bid to protect the mountain gorillas and increase their population.
The gorilla trekking age restriction
The gorilla trekking age restriction in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC is set so that tourists who are below the set age do not get access to the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The age limit in Uganda is 12 years and 15 years for DRC and Rwanda. Anyone who is below the trekking age limit will not be allowed to trek the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
There are so many reasons why the trekking age limit was set and these include the following:
- The gorilla trekking age limit was put in place to make sure that the mountain gorillas are protected and the children who are below 12 and 15 years. Children are hard to control and have unpredictable behavior and yet all trekkers have to follow the rules of trekking so that the mountain gorillas are not disturbed while in their natural habitat. Mountain gorillas can be frightening if this is your first time encountering them, and children might either scream or shout, which is a discomforting sound to the gorillas. Children make a lot of noise and gestures which might be misinterpreted by the mountain gorillas.
- Mountain gorillas share 98% of their DNA with humans, and this makes them more prone to diseases just like humans. Since there are so many diseases that children normally carry and have like flu and cough, the gorilla trekking age limit was set to ensure that there is a limit to the number of people who have access to the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
- The gorilla trek is strenuous, taking you to the different parts of the national park with different terrains and landscapes, and many children cannot manage it. The trek can take hours between 1 to 6 hours, depending on where the gorillas are located on the day of the trek, which many children cannot handle. It will also take you through the thick forests, which can quickly drain a child’s energy, hence the age limit policy.
- Children can distract their parents and be too playful, which might eventually affect the trekking progress of the group. This is why the age limit was set in all the trekking safari destinations.
Gorilla age limit/restriction for the elderly
The gorilla age limit does not apply to the elderly and for as long as you can still trek and are above 12 years in Uganda and 15 in Rwanda and DRC, you can take part in the gorilla trekking exercise. Senior citizens have been able to take part in the trekking exercise with the introduction of the sedan chairs which are used to transport them through the forest and then back to the park headquarters.
You need to be physically fit to be able to participate in the exercise, and if you are not but still want to take part, there is an option of hiring sedan chairs, which refer to modified stretchers that are carried by porters to enable tourists to have a chance of trekking the mountain gorillas.
Children below the age limit trekking mountain gorillas
Previously, there were instances where children below the age limit were given special permission to trek for as long as the parents of the child were able to prove that the said child could trek the mountain gorillas. They were also supposed to sign a disclaimer about any dangers.
This, however, has been discontinued, and children 12 years in Uganda and 15 in Rwanda and DRC are allowed to trek the mountain gorillas.
How is age verified for gorilla trekking
As you apply for the gorilla trekking safari, you will be required to send in a copy of your passport where your bio-data page is visible with your name, nationality, date of birth and passport number. Using a copy of your valid passport, your age will be quickly verified, and in cases where your age is below the trekking age limit, you will not be able to purchase the gorilla trekking permit, which is your ticket to gaining access to the mountain gorillas.
The cost of a gorilla permit
The cost of the gorilla permit in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC is different with Rwanda having the most expensive permit and DRC the most affordable one. No one is allowed to trek the mountain gorillas without a gorilla permit and below is the cost of the permit in each of the three countries. But note that Encounter Africa Safaris plans gorilla trekking safaris to Uganda and Rwanda only. DRC is currently unstable and not a safe safari destination.
Uganda: The cost of the gorilla trekking permit fee in Bwindi and Mgahinga is UGX300,000 for East African citizens, $500 for citizens from other African countries, $800 for foreign non-residents and $700 for foreign residents. The cost of the gorilla habituation permit that can only be used in the Rushaga sector is $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents and citizens from other African citizens and UGX750,000 for East African citizens.
The rules for trekking mountain gorillas
The age limit is one of the rules for mountain gorilla trekking, but there are more rules that have to be followed throughout the trekking period, and these include the following.
- Keep a distance of 7 to 10 meters away from the Mountain gorillas at all times. The distance helps reduce the spread of diseases to the gorillas and it allows the gorillas to be free and not be overwhelmed.
- Do not eat or drink in the national parks where gorilla trekking is carried out. Food crumbs can be harmful to the mountain gorillas.
- Make sure that you respect the time given to you by the guide and this is an hour with the mountain gorillas during the standard gorilla trek and 4 hours during the habituation experience.
- Always wash your hands and sanitize before the start of the gorilla trekking exercise.
- Never destroy the vegetation within the national park because it is food for the mountain gorillas. Always leave the national park the way you found it.
- The park has to be kept clean at all times by not littering and taking all the rubbish to the designated areas.
- Human waste is a danger to the mountain gorillas and since there are no toilets, it must be buried at least 30cm and covered up well.
- Do not use the flash when taking photos of the mountain gorillas because it might scare them away.
- Always stay in the group of trekkers and do not wander off in the national parks. The parks are home to the other wild animals which might be a danger to you.
- All the groups trekking the gorillas are made up of a maximum of 8 people only.
- Do not smoke when you are close to the gorillas.
- Sick trekkers with viral infections will not be allowed to take part in the trekking exercise.
Safari activities for children below the trekking age
Even though there is an age limit for gorilla trekking, this does not mean that you can travel with your children because there are many activities that children can engage in while the adults enjoy an hour with the gorillas. All the children’s activities are carried out with an experienced guide who will stay with the children at all times
Volcanoes NP: There are so many children’s activities that are done in Volcanoes National Park and these include bird watching, a hike to the Dian Fossey grave, visit to the Musanze caves, visiting the IBy’Íwacu village where you learn about the culture of the local people, attend the Kwita Izina ceremony where baby gorillas are named, explore the Dian Fossey museum, board games and enjoy guided nature walks.
Virunga NP: The different safari activities that are done in Virunga National Park include bird watching, a visit to the Senkwekwe orphanage centre, and guided nature walks.
Bwindi Impenetrable NP: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is safe for children who are below the trekking age limit and some of the activities these children can carry out include guided nature walks where they learn about nature and its surroundings, cultural trips to the Batwa people, bird watching, board games at the accommodation facilities and photo safaris among others.
Mgahinga NP: The activities that children can engage in during a gorilla trekking safari include bird watching, cultural visits to the Batwa communities and guided nature walks.
What to pack for a gorilla safari
The essential items that you will need for your gorilla trekking safari include comfortable knee-length hike boots, socks, long-sleeved shirts, trousers (all clothes should be in neutral colours to be able to fit in with the forest), a camera and extra batteries, extra lenses and memory cards, binoculars, garden gloves for the protection of your hands, a walking stick, sweaters, scarves, ponchos, sunglasses, a sunhat, insect repellent, sunscreen, waterproof raincoat, day backpack, refillable water bottle, first aid kit and snacks among others.
The cost of the gorilla safari
The cost of the gorilla safari is not fixed and is determined by several factors that affect the cost of the gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda and DTC and these include the following:
The permit cost: Although this only covers an hour with the mountain gorillas and is fixed, the cost will still affect the cost of your entire safari to whichever destination you choose. There are no permit discounts in Uganda and permit discounts in Rwanda are offered on special occasions. For more information, contact us at Encounter Africa Safaris.
Accommodation: The type of accommodation chosen will determine the type and cost of safari you will have. There are three categories of accommodation facilities, and these are budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation facilities. Your budget and preference will determine the cost of the safari.
The safari package: There are three safari packages that are offered during the gorilla safari and these are budget, mid-range and luxury safari packages. Get in touch with us to choose the best package for you and note that the travelling budget and season of travel will determine the type of package. Note that all packages offer a unique gorilla trekking safari experience.
The season of travel: Gorilla trekking is carried out in two seasons, and these are the dry and rainy seasons. The dry season, June to September and December to January is also a peak season characterized by increased prices on the services provided and large crowds of tourists. The rainy season, on the other hand, is characterized by rains, discounts and few crowds.
The size of the travel group: When travelling in groups, the cost for each person in the group is reduced because of cost sharing for services like transport and accommodation, unlike when travelling alone where all expenses fall on one person.
The decisions made during the booking and planning process will determine the cost of the gorilla trekking safari.
Contact us at Encounter Africa Safari for more information about the gorilla trekking age limit and let us plan your gorilla safari for you.