Gorilla Trekking Age Limit – Gorillas are great apes that are very friendly and share 98.3% of their genetic makeup with humans. These close relatives of humans have broad chests and shoulders and live in families led by a dominant silverback, who oversees the group’s activities.
Gorillas are mostly vegetarians, feeding on leaves, vines, tree bark, insects, and fruits. They are very friendly creatures, especially after habituation, where they feel comfortable carrying out daily activities such as feeding, playing, resting, and breastfeeding in the presence of humans.
Although gorillas are friendly, they can show aggression when they feel threatened or attacked as a form of protection. It is therefore very important to follow all the rules and regulations while interacting with these gorillas.
The act of searching for gorillas and spending strictly one hour with them after acquiring a gorilla trekking permit is called gorilla trekking.
Age Limit for Gorilla Trekking
The gorilla trekking activity has certain restrictions, and not everyone is allowed to participate, including age limits.
The gorilla trekking age limit is the same in all three countries where gorillas live: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The minimum age for gorilla trekking is fifteen years.
This means that persons below the age of fifteen are not allowed to trek for the following reasons:
- Persons below the age of fifteen are minors who may not understand or respond appropriately to negative reactions from charging gorillas. They might scream or run, which could provoke an attack by the gorillas.
- Minors might not have the physical ability to trek long distances in search of gorillas, especially if the gorillas have moved deeper into their habitat. They may constantly need to rest.
- Minors may not be mentally prepared to understand and follow the gorilla rules and regulations or act according to the given instructions. They can easily get distracted by their surroundings, limiting their focus on the trekking experience.
- Minors might have contagious diseases like flu or cough, which could easily spread to the gorillas due to the 98% genetic similarity between gorillas and humans. Gorillas are not resistant to these diseases and could be severely affected.
Exception to the Age Limit in Uganda
While all the countries have set the minimum gorilla trekking age at fifteen, Uganda provides an exception for children who are fourteen years old, but certain conditions must be met. These include:
- The parents must sign an indemnity form to protect the organization and park authorities in case anything goes wrong during the trek.
- The minor must show great maturity and be physically, mentally, and medically fit for the trek.
If these conditions are met, the minor may be allowed to participate in gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking is an unforgettable experience, but it requires meeting the set requirements, including the minimum age.
