Similar to Bwindi, the minimum age for trekking gorillas In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park In Uganda is 15 years. However, if you would like your 13 – 14-year-old child to trek Gorillas In Mgahinga, then we can assist you in coordinating with UWA for a special permit to be issued for your minor/teenager to be able to trek Gorillas.
Why is the Minimum age for trekking Gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park set at 15 years?
- Generally speaking, mountain Gorilla Trekking requires some fair level of fitness as it does involve hiking on slippery trails, and through thick vegetation, a high altitude of 1000+ sometimes for up to 4 hours. On many occasions, the unfit or elderly adults have failed to make it on their own and have had to Pay an Extra $300 – $500 to be carried on a sedan chair. So it’s only fair that you don’t attempt to subject your child to this strenuous hike. Only the fairly mature kids might be able to take in this challenge and give you value for the $700 paid for Gorilla permits – it’s not cheap money to simply throw away – wait till they are old enough.
- Whilst the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) does take into account all possible measures to ensure that Gorilla trekking is Safe, All trekkers must understand that the gorillas visited are still wild meaning behavior can change depending on the different mood and surroundings. It is believed that a child 15 years and above is able to help themselves just in case anything happens and they are mature enough to follow the entire gorilla tracking rules & regulations.
- Lastly, Kids under 15 years are often very playful and might carry the same playfulness to the forest. This will not only slow the pace of the person responsible for them but also will affect the entire team of rangers, porters, and other trekkers causing the trek to last forever. A kid who is at least 15 years of age will easily follow instructions and be less playful whilst on the trek.
Child-friendly/Family accommodation in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Minimum Age for trekking gorillas in Mgahinga
Our best recommendation of a place to stay that is kid-friendly and also located hardly a 5-minute walk to get to the Uganda wildlife Authority (UWA) gorilla briefing point is the Luxurious Mt. Gahinga Lodge.
Mount Gahinga Lodge Minimum Age for trekking gorillas in Mgahinga
Well placed at the foothills of the Great Virunga Volcanoes, on the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC lies Mount Gahinga Lodge. The lodge consists of nine (09) traditional pygmy style huts, with modern conveniences such as En-suite, composting toilets, bush style showers, and Wi-Fi in the main lodge. Take in the views of Mounts Sabinyo, Gahinga, and Muhavura from this eco-conscious lodge.
Each banda is rounded to preserve the traditional, local building style, and the interiors are stylish and create an atmosphere of modern comfort alongside the adventure of being on safari. The thatched roofs are just another eco-sensitive element of this wonderful lodge.
Why We like staying at Mount Gahinga Lodge We like staying at
- The lodge is only a 1 hr 10 minutes flight from Entebbe (landing at Kisoro). You’ll be transferred by road (45minutes) to get to your Lodge. Alternatively, you may opt to fly in through Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport, and take on a 5-hours drive to get to Mghainga – check to see if the borders with Uganda are Open before booking your flights.
- Boutique Style being Our style Of travel, we like to hand-pick our lodges – this lodge offers a secluded but yet homely and very opulent touch of service for small – private Gorilla Safari Experiences – something our clients love!
- Proximity to the park – We often have our clients staying at Mount Gahinga Lodge trek Gorillas in Mgahinga Park which is a stone-throw away – Meaning you get to enjoy more time at the lodge while other clients (staying at other lodges wake up at 5:00 am to drive for an hour to get to the trekking Points).
- Giving back to the Community. This is a very important aspect we never overlook! We love working with properties that give back to the locals.
Alternative Childfriendly/ family Places to stay on your safari to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
How to get to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
From Entebbe, there are two (02) ways of getting to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. You may either fly or drive. A blend of both – fly one way – drive one way – is also possible!.
- Flying to Mgahinga from Entebbe: Daily Flights from Entebbe to Kisoro Airport are operated by two (02) domestic flight companies’ aero link Uganda and Fly Uganda. Aerolink flights from Entebbe to Kisoro depart from Entebbe international airport while Fly Uganda flights are out of Kajjansi airfield – closer to Kampala approximately 26.5km/16mi out of Entebbe. Doesn’t matter with whom you choose to fly, the flights will all last approximately 1.5-hours.
- Driving to Mgahinga from Entebbe: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located approximately 500km/310mi from Entebbe. The journey from Entebbe lasts ±09 hours and involves some en-route stops at the equator in Kayabwe for souvenir shopping and Mbarara for lunch. We recommend starting your drive as early as 06:30 am so as to get to your destination before sunset. Refrain from driving at night.
*While a great section of this drive is on paved road, the last sections are on loose surface dirt roads which can be challenging to navigate both in dry & wet conditions, especially for first-time self-drive travelers not familiar with driving on such roads.
*While DIY’s (Do it yourself) are common, we recommend booking your trip to Mgahinga National Park with a trusted and experienced local tour operator like Realm Africa Safaris™. We will provide you with an experienced local driver guide familiar with driving on Ugandan roads to accompany you on this trip. You are better safe than sorry.
