Gorilla trekking with Kids; lately, it has become a concern for families planning for holidays to Uganda and Rwanda with Gorilla trekking on the agenda while having children that are below 15 years of age. So, the big question always is; will our boy(s) / girl(s) be allowed to do the trek or what is the minimum age for Gorilla trekking?
To begin with, the minimum age for Gorilla trekking as recommended by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Uganda and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Rwanda is 15 years. But if you asked me; is possible for children below 15 years to do Gorilla trekking? The answer will be an absolute YES, but only in Uganda!
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is strictly restricted to 15 years and above mainly because of the mountainous terrain which makes it very difficult for the young ones to undertake the trek because the trek is ascending right from the start.
Kids below 15 years can do Gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park because the terrain is different here; it can be steep, yes – but this is a forested area with vegetation cover so you are less exposed to sunshine and it is more of a forested jungle than a mountainous terrain!
The parents of the kids intending to do the trek will be required to sign an indemnity form by the park warden in Bwindi so that in case the child fails to make it through the trek, you will not hold it against them but they will always try to allocate them the gorilla group that is known to be closer so there hasn’t been a case where they failed to make it!
The other way to do it is by hiring porters who will carry them through the trek and this is the easiest way for kids to do Gorilla trekking. If interested in the walk itself, the child can walk one way and experience how it feels penetrating the impenetrable forest!
Are you planning a family holiday wishing to do Gorilla trekking with kids in Uganda? Contact us today and we will set you up for an unforgettable experience.
