The minimum Gorilla trekking age in Uganda is now 12 years moving from 15 years. The small print will be amended on the forthcoming UWA Tariff for 2024 onwards.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority – UWA a government body charged with the role of managing National Parks and reserves in Uganda in a consultative meeting with major tourism stakeholders did resolve to amend the minimum age for gorilla trekking from the previous 15 years to now 12 years. This change will be made public, with amendments to the small print text on the UWA tariff of 2024 onwards.
Why is there a minimum age for gorilla trekking anyway?
While there might be a lot more other reasons for setting the minimum age for gorilla trekking, the main two (02) reasons are;
- Physical ability: Like we might all know by now, Mountain gorillas live in hard-to-reach (mountainous) areas with altitudes ranging between 1,500 – 2,300 meters Above Sea Level heights can be demanding for even a well-trained adult. In other words, Children are generally less capable of coping with the demanding physical fitness required to trek gorillas in the wild. And its why it was thought that a minimum age be set for which at least only the physically capable kids of age can participate in the amazing gorilla trekking experience, and be able to return to base both a little and
- Mental Ability: Another important aspect of Gorilla trekking is mental maturity. All persons intending to indulge in gorilla trekking must exhibit a high level of mental maturity and have the ability to take instructions (and be able to remember every one of them), conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful (to others and the surroundings), and also be able to manage their personal feelings or emotions during gorilla trekking.
For instance, Gorilla trekking is governed by a set of rules & regulations that only mentally mature persons will be able to understand and adhere to.
What is there for children/persons below 12 years to do while other family members go gorilla trekking?
While the best thing to do would be to wait up until the kids are of 12 years to be able to go gorilla trekking there are a few interesting things for Kids/children to do & see while you go Gorilla trekking. Below are our suggestions of what the kids can do on the day/date that you go gorilla trekking.
- Visit the Batwa Pygmies: This is a Highly customizable experience that can be tailored to the child/kids physical, and mental ability. This will allow the kid to learn about the marginalized Batwa pygmies – the originals of the Forest before it was made a National Park.
- Take a Guide Forest Walk: Your child/kid can be taken on a guided Forest nature walk inside Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park. These walks are safely conducted by a trained UWA ranger guide.
- Visit the Munyaga Waterfalls: Similar to the Forest Walks inside Bwindi, the walk to the famous Munyga WaterFalls in Buhoma is conducted by experienced guides
- Learn a Skill: No matter if you are trekking gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga, there are at least 1 – 2 handicraft centers where we can arrange for your Kid(s) to go spend time and learn how to make crafts, sew their own outfit made from colorful African Fabrics.
