Who is Eligible to trek Mountain Gorillas in Africa?

To trek mountain gorillas in Africa, an individual should be able to meet some requirements that make them eligible. If you wondered who is eligible to trek mountain gorillas in Africa, here is what makes one eligible. A highlight of these requirements is a person above 15, with a gorilla permit and has the ability to trek the gorillas personally or afford help.

Mountain gorillas are only about 1063 individuals living in their natural habitats with the Virunga massif and the other population in the Bwindi forest. In these habitats are four parks which are Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, and Virunga National Park in Congo.

With the gorilla habitats within lush habitats in terrains that offer the greatest of sceneries, the experience of trekking mountain gorillas is of a lifetime, not comparable to the ordinary African safaris. Just like any other safari activity, Uganda gorilla safaris or Rwanda gorilla tours have regulations that at times limit other people from having a mountain gorilla trekking experience.

Gorilla trekking is an activity that is referred to as a lifetime experience by many due to the way in which the activity is done. It involves trekking/walking/hiking through the dense tropical forests that rise to an altitude of about 2,607 meters above sea level.

The terrain, vulnerability to disease by the mountain gorillas and for conservation reasons there is a group of people who are considered inappropriate to trek gorillas.

Who is Eligible to trek Mountain Gorillas in Africa?

To be eligible to trek gorillas in any of these habitats in Africa, here is what an individual must fulfill;

• The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15

To trek gorillas in Africa, an individual must be above the age of 15. This is so because children below the age of 15 are referred to as unpredictable and therefore may not be able to follow the rules and regulations that govern the 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 jungle. However, a child who is almost 15 can be allowed to trek gorillas if their parents wrote early to the authorities through their tour operator on why they would like their child to trek the day before they are 15.

This can only be allowed when the child is trekking with their parents and they are willing to ensure they have their child in control and will be responsible for their actions.

• Fully paid for a gorilla permit

Each individual can only be allowed to trek gorillas when they have a gorilla trekking permit. The permit in Uganda costs US$ 700 for Foreign non-residents, US$ 600 for Foreign residents, and UGX 250,000 for East African residents for a single gorilla permit.

In Rwanda, the gorilla trekking permit costs US$ 1,500 and in Congo, a permit is at US$ 450. A gorilla trekking permit is valid for a single trek. You have to ensure the purchase of your permit as soon as possible since they can be fully booked as early as 6 months prior to the trek.

• Persons in good health

Mountain gorillas are endangered as in IUCN Red List and therefore their conservation is important. These giants are very susceptible to human disease and therefore humans who are ill or suffering from colds that are found risky to the gorillas are not allowed to trek.  In case you are not in perfect health, it is recommended to make an early communication with the authorities. Failure to trek because of a cold does not guarantee a refund.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, each person intending to trek gorillas should have had a negative test and provided the results for clearance at the airport to be allowed to visit the country. Also, all tourists should follow the set guidelines like washing hands, sanitizing, wearing a mask, and social distancing during any safari activity.

• ability to hike or trek

With the altitude of the gorilla habitat, Yes, an individual should be able to hike through the forest no matter the pace because the group moves according to the pace of the slowest trekker. However, this does not mean that if you can not hike you can’t see the gorillas.

You can hire porters and a sedan chair that can be used to carry you till where the gorillas can be found. When you reach the gorillas, you are put down to take pictures and then returned to the trek start point.

All individuals who fulfill the above requirements are eligible to trek gorillas in Africa whether in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo. Book your next Uganda gorilla tour or Rwanda gorilla trek with Acacia Safaris and have the ability to enjoy a very well organized trip at affordable costs.

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3 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari is done in Rushaga Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is located in southwestern Uganda a magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley.

This ancient rain-forest is one of the few in Africa to have flourished and home to half of the world’s endangered population of mountain gorillas.

Looking into the expressive brown eyes of these giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter Uganda has to offer! Apart from the gorilla trekking Tour, the park boasts of 90 mammal species, including 11 primates and prominent bird species. It is a treasure chest of flora and fauna with ten gorilla groups currently available to be visited by only eight persons per group on a daily basis. However, strict rules have to be followed to prevent behavioral disturbances and transmission of diseases.

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An encounter with an earth-shaking 350-pound silverback or baby gorilla is an unforgettable experience! view the long-horned Ankole cattle papyrus acacia woodlands and terraced landscape of Kigezi high lands on your way to Bwindi impenetrable national park.