Organising Gorilla trekking in Uganda with kids
Organising gorilla trekking with kids below 15 years is possible in Uganda, but requires the parents’ consent and signing an indemnity form at the park.
Gorilla trekking with Kids; for some time now, we have been receiving requests from families planning holidays to Uganda and Rwanda with Gorilla trekking on the agenda while having children who 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 required by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Uganda and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Rwanda is 15 years. But if you asked me, whether it is possible for children below 15 years to do Gorilla trekking? The answer will be a YES, but only in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is strictly restricted to those who are 15 years and above, mainly because of the mountainous terrain, which makes it very difficult for the young ones to undertake the trek, as the trek here is ascending right from the start.
Children below 15 years can be allowed to see Gorillas 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 to see Gorillas 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 to the gorilla group that is known to be closer so there hasn’t been a case where they failed to make it!
Although we wish to make these memorable experiences for the entire family possible, it is important to note that the child should be at least 12 years old with a strong physique and appearance.
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 help you plan a memorable holiday with your children.
How to prepare children below 15 years for a Gorilla trek
Although they might appear physically strong, kids need to be prepared to get them ready to be in the presence of gorillas, especially when they are not used to seeing wild animals. Here are a few things you can do;
- Take them for hikes on hills for endurance; you can do this 2 to 3 times a week for 2 to 3 months, which is the recommended time for booking in advance anyway! This will strengthen them and prepare them for the Bwindi Forest.
- Watch animal documentaries and movies like King Kong; this gives them an insight into animal behaviour and gets them accustomed to seeing animals.
- Visit nature parks and the outdoors where they can meet and interact with other people. This helps them to get used to strangers and enables them to freely interact with the park rangers and can ask for help from a stranger.
- Teach the kids proper use of a face mask because they will have to use it after finding the gorillas.
- Take them for the yellow fever vaccination if they haven’t had the shot yet, because it is an entry requirement into Uganda.
- Pack warm clothing, rain gear, waterproof boots, gardening gloves, gaiters, insect repellent, and kids’ medication in case they have any.
You can now look forward to a great family trip, including a date with the Gorillas.
Experienced webmaster and copywriter with 16 years of experience in the East African tourism industry. Jerome possess excellent knowledge about gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, chimpanzee tracking, and accommodations across major destinations in East Africa.
