What Is The Age Limit For Gorilla Trekking In Africa?
What Is The Age Limit For Gorilla Trekking In Africa?
What Is The Age Limit For Gorilla Trekking In Africa? Gorilla trekking is one of Africa’s most unique wildlife experiences providing a rare chance to observe endangered mountain gorillas within their natural habitat while on an african safari. Gorilla trekking safaris are carefully regulated in countries such as Uganda, Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo to make sure that visitors are safe as well as the protection of the gentle giants.
Gorilla trekking safaris in Africa take place in areas like Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park and volcanoes national park where strict rules govern each and every trekking experience includes age limits.
The age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years in all the three countries but there is some exception in Uganda. The age limit for trekking the endangered mountain gorillas is set up by different government bodies which are responsible for take care of the national parks. In Uganda, all the rules and regulations are set by the Uganda wildlife authority, Rwanda development board in Rwanda and institute congolais pour la conservation de la nature in Congo.
Why is the age limit for trekking set at 15 years?
- The risk of transmitting diseases
The endangered mountain gorillas are highly exposed to human illnesses because they share 98% of their DNA with us. Even though it’s a minor infection such as a cold, flu or cough can be a life threatening to them.
Children are more likely to carry and spread infections and sometimes without having any symptoms. Therefore, restricting trekking safaris to individuals aged 15 and above reduces the risk and helps to protect the endangered mountain gorillas.
- Physical challenges of the trek
Gorilla trekking is a challenging hike within the park, it can be more physically demanding and uncertain. The treks involve hiking through the thick forest, climbing steep and muddy slopes, moving into the dense vegetation and slippery terrain and walking for over 6hours
- Emotional control and behaviour
Gorilla trekking needs a more strict obedience to guidelines such as
- Maintaining a distance of 7meters from the mountain gorillas
- Avoid direct eye contact with the dominant silverbacks
- Stay calm even when the gorillas come close to you
- Keep your voices low and slow the movements.
The gorillas may tend to show dominance characters in some cases such as beating the chest or mock charges. These may not be harmless but can be intimidating and little children may panic or act unpredictable which may intensify the situation. Therefore, teenagers and adults are more better since they can remain calm and as well follow the guides instructions under such circumstances.
Exceptions for carrying out gorilla trekking
Although the age limit for trekking the gorillas is 15 years in all the three countries, there are some exceptions that are made in Uganda. In Uganda, the children of age 14 can be allowed to embark on the gorilla trekking while on a Uganda safari.
This is possible but the child must be physically fit and mature enough to hike into the forest. However, Bwindi impenetrable national park is less steep compared to Mgahinga and volcanoes national park. Except the qualified child, the Uganda wildlife authority requires parents to offer pictures of the child to the office with the correct information about their physical fitness and maturity.
Besides that, parents have to present valid passport copies. Children of 14 years can as well participate in the trekking activity if they are accompanied by their parents. The authority will as well need the parent to sign an indemnity form to protect the organisation from responsibility in case of any problem during the gorilla trekking. the national park warden will make sure that the child is allocated to a gorilla family which is next to the starting point.
The parents will then decide to make each and everything smooth for the child by hiring extra porters to carry them in sedan chairs when they get tired. The sedan chairs and porters are as well available for elderly trekkers who would love to be part of the activity.
THE GORILLA TREKKING EXPERIENCE
While on an african safari, the gorilla trekking experience starts early in the morning at the park headquarters where tourists come together for a briefing. The briefing is led by experienced park rangers and while at the briefing;
Tourists are divided into small groups of usually 8 people and are allocated a particular habituated gorilla family to trek.
Tourists are also given the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking such as keeping their voices low, no eating or drinking near the gorilla, avoiding eye contact directly with the gorillas and maintaining a distance of about 7meters among others. The tourists are taught how to behave in case of a close encounter for instance when the gorilla approaches you, the guide instructs you to remain still, bend and avoid any movements.
After the briefing, you will enter into the forest with the help of the armed and skilled rangers. The trekking can vary depending on the location of the mountain gorillas. Once the gorillas are located, the tourists spend one hour with them as they watch them feed on leaves and stems, mothers taking care of their infants, a dominant silverback watching over the group and the juveniles playing and climbing. At sometimes, gorillas can come closer to tourists but when it happens tourists are advised to stay calm and follow the guides instructions.
Baby Gorilla
The experience is frequently portrayed as a deeply moving experience and being just 7 meters away from the gentle giants creates a strong and emotional connection.
After an hour with the endangered mountain gorillas, the park rangers will signal the tourists informing then its time to leave. It may feel too soon but the rule is strictly enforced. The trekkers will start their return journey which is followed with a different route back to the park headquarter. However, many trekkers use the time to reflect on the encounter, share stories with their fellow tourists. At the end of the gorilla trekking, tourists receive a certificate that recognises their participation in the gorilla trekking activity.
Therefore, a gorilla trekking is a journey which blends adventure, personal growth and conservation while on an african safari. Although its volcanoes national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Virunga national park or Mgahinga national park, the gorilla trekking safari experience is arranged to be captivating, respectful and transformative.
