Minimum Age for trekking gorillas in Uganda, and Rwanda – Gorilla trekking age limit in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is a major Uganda safari activity that has been embraced by many travelers from all over the world ever since 1993 when the first gorilla family was opened up to tourists. To trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, the major qualifiers may include age – Uganda has a minimum age for gorilla trekking. Here is all you need to know about the Minimum Age for trekking gorillas.

Minimum Age for trekking gorillas – the minimum age for gorilla trekking or Gorilla trekking age limit in Uganda (15 years and above) is the standard age acceptable by the governments of Uganda and conservation authorities and rendered eligible to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda.  To trek gorillas in Uganda, an individual must be above the age of 15.

Only persons above the age of fifteen can be allowed to trek gorillas in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These two parks are both hosts to habituated gorilla families that are safe for gorilla trekking by tourists. The Gorilla trekking age limit in Uganda determines who is eligible for gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda.

Gorilla trekking is restricted due to the conservation of the endangered species and the great threat that is posed by humans (visitors & encroachers).

Gorillas at Bwindi

Why is Gorilla trekking in Uganda restricted to persons of 15 years and above?

The Minimum Age for trekking gorillas is 15 because children below the age of 15 are usually unpredictable and therefore may not be able to follow the rules and regulations that govern the gorilla trekking activity. Their behavior could easily be contrary to what is expected of a trekker and therefore for this reason they are kept away from the gorilla trekking premises.

Children below the age of fifteen are known to commonly have communicable diseases. Mountain gorillas share up to 95% DNA with humans. This makes Mountain gorillas very susceptible to communicable diseases and an entire population can be wiped away by these diseases.

Since their survival and increase in population have majorly been because of conservation efforts, it is always a priority to ensure that these efforts do not go to waste by the transmission of diseases by young children.

Gorilla trekking itself is very strenuous and requires hiking which requires physical strength. The Minimum Age for trekking gorillas was set while considering the difficulty of trekking mountain gorillas.  Children below 15 are generally considered not to be able to cope with the physical difficulties of trekking, and the altitude, and that’s why they are considered not eligible to undertake Uganda gorilla trekking adventures.

Minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda 

Uganda gorilla trekking minimum age limit as of 2024 is currently 15 years and any person below this age is considered a minor and not allowed to trek the once critically endangered mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are also found in two other countries which are Rwanda and Congo.

Gorilla trekking is an activity worth undertaking for an authentic jungle experience as you see these gentle giants within their natural habitat. The feeling of seeing our second closest cousin mimic our behavior will give you a sense of similarity and will melt your heart. This is a very unique experience from seeing a gorilla in a zoo. For wildlife viewing experiences to see the great Big Five (Buffaloes, Rhinos, Lions, leopards, and Elephants) as well as other wildlife species, our Uganda wildlife safaris to Uganda will offer the best experience.

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