Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking – Gorilla Trekking with Kids/ Can Kids Go Gorilla Trekking

Can children go gorilla trekking? Yes, Children can go gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking is 15 years. If you are wondering whether it is possible to do gorilla trekking with kids in Uganda and Rwanda, the answer is yes, children aged 15 years and above are allowed to trek gorillas. If your children are below 15 years you can still travel with them on a gorilla trekking tour since there are a lot of other exciting activities that they can do besides mountain gorilla trekking. Mountain Gorilla trekking is an extraordinary adventure that takes place in thick impenetrable jungles that are difficult to navigate. Gorilla trekking with children require better preparation both mentally and physically. The Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is 15 years, set to protect both the gorillas during this remarkable experience.

If you are fantasizing about traveling with family for a gorilla safari holiday to Uganda or Rwanda it is important to keep in mind that only children aged 15 years and above will be allowed to trek gorillas. For those with kids below 15 years of age, there are different other safari activities that your children can engage in while you embark on a gorilla trekking safari tour. For those planning to go gorilla trekking in Uganda, there are some exceptions for children below 15 years (Children below the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking) that are discussed in this article.

Minimum Age for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R Congo – Age limit for gorilla trekking

What is the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking? The minimum age for gorilla for gorilla trekking is 15 years. This age limit for gorilla trekking was set by the Authorities responsible for protecting the mountain gorillas and their habitat as a conservation and safety measure during gorilla safaris.  Travelers below 15 years of age are considered young and unfit to do gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo because of several factors that are discussed in this article.

Reasons why children below 15 years (Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking )are not allowed to trek gorillas

There are several reasons why children below 15 years of age will not be allowed to trek gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some of the reasons why travelers below the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking are not allowed to trek gorillas include;

Physical & Mental preparation; Youngsters may not be mentally ready for this challenging experience that involves trekking through the thick impenetrable jungles. Children below the minimum age for gorilla trekking may not be mentally and physically prepared for gorilla trekking. The Gorilla trekking experience entails hiking and trekking through thick forest with thick undergrowth and uneven terrain that is difficult to navigate. Children below 15 years of age (Below the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking) can easily get exhausted since the trek lasts for quite long hours in the forest.

Young children can easily get carried away. Although Mountain gorillas are generally gentle primates they remain wild animals and during the trek it requires one to remain calm. Occasionally, mountain gorillas may come closer to visitors which requires calmness and abiding by the gorilla trekking guidelines. Unfortunately, kids below the minimum age for gorilla trekking are likely to get carried away when they encounter gorillas and their behaviors around the primates are unpredictable, they may tend to create a scene which on the other hand may provoke the gorillas.

 

Children may not to follow the guidelines of gorilla trekking.

During Gorilla trekking safaris, there are strict rules and guidelines that every traveler must adhere to during the trek. Unlike adult travelers, children below the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking (15 years) are likely not to follow the provided gorilla trekking guidelines and rules. Some of the gorilla trekking guidelines like; do not liter the park, keeping a low voice during the trek, and maintaining a safe distance, among others are all meant to protect gorillas, their habitat, and visitors.

Gorilla Trekking requires physical fitness. A moderate level of physical fitness is a prerequisite for gorilla trekking in Africa and children below the age of 15 years (Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking) may not be physically fit to embark on the challenging trek. Trekking involves navigating challenging terrain for a long distance and Kids below 15 years of age may not be fit enough or even have the desire to endure during the trek. This may lead to slow down of the trek since they may not be able to move at the same pace as the adult travelers.

Children below 15 years old can easily get infected with communicable diseases. Kid below 15 years of age have weak immune system and can easily catch communicable diseases like flu and cough. Since gorillas share DNA with humans, there is a risk of them catching such communicable diseases thus putting their life in danger. To protect gorillas from human communicable diseases, Kids below 15 years (Below the Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking ) are not allowed to trek gorillas.

 

Other activities for children to do during gorilla Safaris – How to do gorilla trekking with Kids

There are plenty of more top things Kids can do as the adults embark on a gorilla tour. Your children will embark on fun adventures including cultural tours and community village walks as you trek the gorillas in the impenetrable jungles. Here are the top things kids can do during a gorilla trekking safari holiday;

Cultural visit to the neighboring Villages/Communities

Be it Uganda or Rwanda, your kids can embark on a cultural tour of the neighboring villages. If you are planning to trek gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you will have an opportunity to visit the local Batwa community – the original inhibitors of the forests. While at the Batwa Villages, kids get an opportunity to enjoy storytelling from the village elders, participate in craft making, and participate in music and dance performances among others. This is an enriching experience that will unleash your children’s imagination of an African safari.

Children will enjoy interacting with the locals and also play traditional games, share stories, and learn about each other during these community tours to the Batwa community. While here, your children will learn about the ways of the forest and how to hut since the Batwa are hunter gatherer tribes.

If you are visiting Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for your gorilla safari tour, your children will have an opportunity to visit the Buhoma Village for a community walk experience. The Buhoma community walk is a fun experience that is suitable for kids from the age of 5 years and above.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience in Rwanda

For those planning a gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park with kids. A cultural tour to the Iby’Iwacu cultural village will enrich your kids with a cultural experience. As the adults embark on a gorilla tour, our expert guides will take your kids for a remarkable cultural tour to the Iby’Iwacu cultural village. There are various safari activities at the Iby’Iwacu cultural center that can keep your kids excited while on your safari in Rwanda.

During this tour, your children will have an opportunity to enjoy nature walks and educational tours, engage the local children and play local games, visit traditional homes, enjoy cultural performances such as dance and music among others. This village tour is enriching as your children will learn about different ways of life outside their usual environment.