Want to know the age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda? Gorilla tracking is one of the most popular tourism activities in Uganda and Rwanda. Each year, many tourists visit these countries to see mountain gorillas in the forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in Congo.
This activity has some rules, and one of them is a regulation that stops people below a certain age from trekking mountain gorillas.
Age limit for gorilla trekking
So, what is the minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo? This is what I want to explain in this article. Before we go ahead, I have written other articles on how to plan gorilla safaris in each country. I also listed some good gorilla tracking companies that can help you organize your tour.
You can check my Uganda gorilla trekking review, Rwanda gorilla trekking review, and Congo gorilla trekking review. I have also written a guide on Uganda gorilla trekking from Kigali and tours that start from Entebbe.
Did you travel with your child and wonder if they are allowed to trek gorillas? If your child is 15 years or older, you do not need to worry. That is the official minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.
Children below 15 years are not allowed unless a special request is made to the authorities in charge of gorilla trekking in these countries.
These special requests usually only succeed if the child is at least 14 years old, very close to their 15th birthday, and about 5.8 feet tall (6.0 feet to be safe). I have done this before, but it was in Rwanda.
Uganda also allows such requests, but your success depends on how well you make the request and how you explain your child’s maturity.
A letter is usually written and attached to the child’s passport when buying the gorilla permit. It is better if your tour operator handles this because they understand the process well and may already know the officials who give the permits. This makes the process easier.
It is hard for a tourist to convince the authorities directly, but through a tour operator, it becomes easier. Keep in mind that gorilla trekking is not considered a very safe activity, and many precautions must be followed.
Mountain gorillas also have emotions. They can get scared and become aggressive, especially if they see a camera flash. A child of 15 years or older can follow safety instructions better and pay attention during the pre-trek briefing, which is very important.
The forests are also thick, with small paths. Any wrong movement can be risky, especially for a young child who may not easily find the way back.
Also, children can be playful and may slow down the adult who is in charge of them. This affects the group because time in the forest is limited.
A child who is 15 or older is more likely to listen and not play during the trek. The official minimum age is 15, but like I said earlier, if your child is 14 and almost turning 15, you may be allowed with special permission. Any child below 14 and a half years will not be allowed to trek gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo.
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