REQUIRED AGE FOR GORILLA TREKKING EXPERIENCE

What is the required age for Gorilla Trekking? This is one of the fact that any traveler including gorilla trekking on his banquet list should put in consideration especially family travelers who would love to enjoy their safari as a family. Gorilla trekking is one of the unique experiences found in the pearl of Africa “Uganda” in two gazetted Afro-montane parks of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park found in Southwestern part which is as well part of the Virunga ranges.

Minimum age for trekking.

The parks regulatory body instituted by government” Uganda Wildlife Authority” setup a minimum age for gorilla trekking and habituation which is from 15 years and above, however some instances where a child below 15 years may trek gorillas if there is a special arrangement that has been organized between the parents of the child the authorities.

What are the instances that can prompt a child below the required age trek gorillas?

In instances where the parents are willing and strictly wish to enjoy the activity with their children who are below the required age are can be allowed after agreeing to consent to the agreement known as “THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AGREEMENT” which safe guards the government against any possible harm/liability meaning that whatever that happens to the child upon the activity the parents will be liable at any cost.

Another yet considerable attachment is when the child he/she who is below the required age express maturity and is physically strong. This means that the child can make proper and reasonable reactions and can act decisively to different environment and fit enough to undertake difficult and strenuous hikes which can be found can be encountered searching for the primates in the jungle.

The child can as well be allowed to trek when he is about to reach his/her 15^th birth day. Here the authorities can pardon the child to enjoy this marvelous experience along with the parents but ensure that he/she follows the prescribed gorilla trekking do’s and don’ts before and on the encounter with the gorillas. Feel free to contact us at Safari Vacations & Travel Services to help you arrange safe gorilla trekking experience with your family and friends.

Reasons why children below 15 years are not on the required age for gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking experience in the jungle requires a certain level of fitness considered to be strenuous and tiresome since it takes time to locate a gorilla family from where they last nested and are mobile in the forest looking for vegetables to feed on, this is one of the considerations as to why children below 15 are not on the required age for gorilla trekking experience and considered a minor, weak and vulnerable or unfits to trek the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat which requires a physically fit individual to cope up with the difficult hike in some sectors of the park especially in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

It is believed that kids below stated minimum are naturally playful and might slow the pace of the person responsible for them which indirectly affects the rangers and the group at large despite the limitations on the amount of time you are supposed to spend in the forests which involves tracing where the gorilla family is and an hour of experience once you encounter it before returning from your trek.

The behavior of children is unpredictable whereby they are always playful and as well the primates they intend to visit are as well wild animals given the fact that they are habituated for human presence to be encountered at a free and non-violent condition but however this doesn’t mean that they can’t change or charge at any time which may be hard for children to hold in the presence of these giant gentle Apes which makes them vulnerable to the required age for gorilla trekking activity in the park.

Given the fact that mountain gorillas are close relatives to human genes and are susceptible to human illnesses, which put them at risk and as well regarded as endangered species on the planet, Children (below 15) usually carry communicable diseases like flu, cough which can easily be transmitted to the mountain gorillas hence leading to their death and decrease in their number.

Optional activities that children can do especially those with less required age for gorilla trekking while parents are in the Jungle.

There several activities which children can take part as parents are on gorilla trekking experience and these are always arranged by lodges to make the children active and entertained which include;

• nature walks,
• community encounter and cultural performances,
• More still, children are taken to craft making shops,
• local schools to interact with fellow children in the same age group among others, which make them feel at home and occupied.

You can include wildlife encounter on your safari which does not limit gender age and can be enjoyed by everyone to some of the best national parks in the country like Queen Elizabeth National park, Lake Mburo national park, Murchison falls national park among others for a more memorable safari upon your visit.

Precaution measure to avoid bleach of these regulations.

The national park authorities always ask everybody to produce his/her original passport to ensure that everybody is of the right age and those below but are given priority are mature enough to follow the entire gorilla tracking rule.

Conclusively Age limit to the gorilla trekking activity is set to avoid circumstances that may harm the child. At Safari Vacations & Travel Services we organizes safaris to Uganda and Rwanda customized to fit all categories of travelers ranging from budget, midrange and luxury holiday tours at affordable price.