Realm Africa Safaris™ organises SPECIAL Gorilla trekking for teenagers below 15 years. In this article, we will explain what it involves to plan and organise a gorilla trekking holiday for teenagers under 15 years of age.
We don’t like to assume you know this but rather prefer to emphasise that the official gorilla trekking age limit is 15 years and above. However, some exceptions can be made for your teenager to go gorilla trekking even when they are not yet 15 years old. We will explain what you need to do to successfully get your son or daughter to track mountain gorillas at an early age shy of 15 years.
How to organise Gorilla trekking for teenagers below 15 years
The procedures involved when working with Realm Africa Safaris™ – your ultimate gorilla trekking company to organise a gorilla trekking holiday for a child – below 15 years include the following;
During booking, we recommend that you let us know well in advance that your child is underage (below 15 years). We will then request you to attach; copies of your child’s recent photos, and a copy of their valid passport.
Reasons we ask for your child’s Photos & Passport: As standard procedure, for anyone to indulge in gorilla trekking, you must be of age 15 years and above. The passport copy you are requested to scan and attach is used to verify if you are of age to go gorilla trekking at the time of booking your gorilla permit(s). However, for minors below 15 years and are interested in going gorilla trekking, extra vetting procedures are deployed.
Uganda Wildlife Authority and Realm Africa Safaris™ will be interested in knowing if your underage (15 years below) is physically fit to cope with the challenges involved in trekking through the impenetrable forest cover and tangled vegetation climbing and descending mountains on the wet and slippery surface that is weather dependent. The photos requested are to do a visual assessment. We have had quite a couple of minors aged between 13 – 14 years successfully secure gorilla trekking permission to trek gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both located in Uganda
*If you are an ex-pat living and working in Uganda, we may request you to come along with your child to the Uganda Wildlife Authority premises in Kampala for a physical assessment for fitness and ability to endure gorilla trekking demands.
*Where available, we also recommend attaching or mentioning any other rigorous activities similar to gorilla trekking that your child could have to take part in that you think make him/her fit to take on the gorilla trekking challenge.
* We trust that you will be responsible enough to consider accompanying your child on the actual day of gorilla trekking. This means you will need a gorilla trekking permit for yourself as well.
What is the price of a Gorilla Permit for children below 15 years?
Gorilla trekking permits for children – below 15 years are charged at the same price as for adults.
The price of Gorilla Permits in Uganda:
- $800 per person/permit for foreign non-residents(Foreign tourists).
- $700 per person/permit for foreign Residents including ex-pats in Uganda.
- Uganda Shillings (UGX) 250,000 per person/permit for East African citizens.
- $500 per person/permit for Africans from the Rest of Africa.
In Rwanda, Gorilla permits cost:
- $1,500 per person/permit for foreign non-residents (foreign tourists).
- $450 per person/permit for foreign Residents including ex-pats in East Africa but not living in Rwanda.
- $375 per person/permit for Foreign residents including ex-pats living /working In Rwanda.
- $300 per person/permit for East African Citizens.
- Rwandan Francs (FRW) 30,000 per person/permit for Rwandan citizens including those living in the Diaspora.
**Both permit fees mentioned include; park entry fees, 0ne (01) gorilla trekking permit and guide fees.
Additional information worth reading before you go gorilla trekking for teenagers
What is gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking is a fully active adventure experience that involves hiking up uneven terrain, and mountains and through tangled vegetation cover hacked by rangers and porters using machetes to create a temporary passage to the gorillas. The type of gorillas you are trekking to see is the rare mountain gorillas.
Where to do gorilla trekking?
Mountain Gorilla trekking in Africa can only be done in three (03) countries; Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Uganda and Rwanda are considered the Safest Places to see Mountain Gorillas. DR Congo, unfortunately, suffers ongoing political unrest which makes it unsafe to visit at the moment. (see: Why DR. Congo is considered unsafe for Gorilla tracking)
In Uganda, Gorillas can be seen in two (02) National Parks; Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
In Rwanda, Gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes National park and nowhere else.
Price of a gorilla Permit.
The price of Gorilla Permits in Uganda:
- $800 per person/permit for foreign non-residents(Foreign tourists).
- $700 per person/permit for foreign Residents including ex-pats in Uganda.
- Uganda Shillings (UGX) 250,000 per person/permit for East African citizens.
- $500 per person/permit for Africans from the Rest of Africa.
In Rwanda, Gorilla permits cost:
- $1,500 per person/permit for foreign non-residents (foreign tourists).
- $450 per person/permit for foreign Residents including ex-pats in East Africa but not living in Rwanda.
- $375 per person/permit for Foreign residents including ex-pats living /working In Rwanda.
- $300 per person/permit for East African Citizens.
- Rwandan Francs (FRW) 30,000 per person/permit for Rwandan citizens including those living in the Diaspora.
**Both permit fees mentioned include; park entry fees, 0ne (01) gorilla trekking permit and guide fees.
When is the Best time to go gorilla tracking?
Although Gorilla trekking can happen anytime all year round come rain or sunshine, the best time to go gorilla tracking is in the dry season months of June to August and December to February. During this time, the trails and drier and less slippery. Trekkers are likely to enjoy a fairly drier gorilla trekking experience and good weather for photography.
What to expect during gorilla trekking.
Your morning on the day of the trek starts with you getting dressed up in the appropriate gorilla trekking gear and outfit (see: Gorilla trekking Clothing & Gear). You will then be transferred by your guide to the respective gorilla briefing point where you will be briefed about gorilla trekking, and the dos & don’ts ( see: gorilla trekking rules). After the briefing, you will walk into the forest and start your gorilla tracking experience in the company of UWA/ RDB rangers who will interpret the plants, birds, insects and anything of interest in the forest. On finding the gorillas, you will be allowed a maximum viewing and photography time frame of one (01) hour. Return to your start point for a certificate awarding ceremony. The certificates are souvenirs for you to take back at the end of your gorilla Safari.
What to wear/bring on your Gorilla trek.
- Sturdy Lightweight walking shoes. the lighter the better. Extra weight on the trek is not good.
- Long-sleeved shirt and trousers to provide extra body protections against thorny shrubs.
- Long socks that allow you tuck you pants in to avoid bugs from climbing into your pants while on the trek.
- Rain jacket in case it rains. Remember you are trekking in a tropical rainforest.
- Gaiters (Optional). Don’t spend On new ones. These can well be substituted with long socks to serve the same purpose.
What to bring on your trek.
- A camera for your photographic needs. Don’t spend BIG on a camera. if you own an iPhone, it too takes amazing pictures, especially under limited forest light.
- Binoculars (optional). They might come in handy when spotting some forest birds. Your ranger guide will have a pair that he is willing to share.
- A hat (optional). This is to keep branches and leaves let alone bugs from falling into your hair.
- Drinking water. Realm Africa Safaris™ will provide adequate bottled drinking water for the entire trip.
- Packed Lunch. Realm Africa Safaris™ will take care of this. All our trips include meals unless agreed otherwise
- A Day Pack to carry all your items while on the trek. ** We recommend using a porter to carry your day pack for you (see: why use a porter for Gorilla trekking)
