GORILLA TREKKING FOR MINORS IN AFRICA.

Gorilla trekking in Africa is a  mind-blowing and delightful experience  that any one  should not be  missed  by anyone  however  for minors it’s only those from the age of 15 years to 18 years  that are allowed for this gorilla trekking safari in Africa. The minors from the age of 15-18 years can either come with their parents or sometimes children are taken for such safaris during school trips for educational wildlife conservation programs.

 Why should minors go for gorilla trekking in Africa?

• The gorilla trekking experience involves hiking which is physically advantageous to the bodies of the minors as it improves on their fitness.
• When the minors encounter the mountain gorillas it brings a sense of inspiration to nature and it strengthens their love for Mother Nature.
• The gorilla trekking safari is a very educating experience to the minors as they get knowledge about how best to conserve nature.
• The minors also get to explore new culture discoveries for instance for minors that go to Bwindi Impenetrable park for gorilla trekking, can get to learn from the culture of  the Batwa people  like their fire making skills.
• Parents can also use the gorilla trekking safari experience to bond with their children (15-18) years.

 

Why are minors below 15 years not allowed to indulge in the gorilla trekking safaris in Africa?

 

• It is very hard for children below 15 years to take and follow instructions and this might result to inconveniences such as noise pollution which might affect the behaviors of the mountain gorillas.

 

• Children below 15 years are more prone to getting diseases that could be transferred to the mountain gorillas in case they are to go for the gorilla trekking experience.

 

 

• The physical demands for the gorilla trekking experience can be straining for the minors below the Ag of 15 years because their bodies are not developed yet for such activities.

 

• The mountain gorilla’s behavior is unpredictable and this could be risky for children most especially those below 10 years.

 

What are some of the other experiences that minors below 15 years could experience in Africa?

 

• Game drives in Serengeti national park (Tanzania).
• Birdwatching in Bwindi Impenetrable park (Uganda).
• Cycling and caving in Volcanoes national park (Rwanda).
• Beach activities such as bot cruising and also exploring marine life at the Zanzibar town.
• Exploring the different cultures in Africa.
• Visiting the Victoria Falls.

 

When is the   best and worst time for the minors (15 years and above) to go for gorilla trekking safari in Africa.

                   

The months from June to September are more favorable for the gorilla trekking safaris for the minors because the weather is favorable and the minors have a greater opportunity of better scenic viewing because the stunning sunrays in this period create dramatic landscapes and the hiking trails are dry during this time hence the minors can easily get to enjoy the hiking adventures.

The months from March to May make the gorilla trekking experiences more harder because the paths het more slippery because of the rains hence   it becomes challenging for the minors to go through.

 

Explanation of the gorilla trekking process for the minors in Africa

 

Fitness and health.

 

Before the minor proceeds for a gorilla trekking safari, they have to consult their doctor if they are in an ideal health state for this experience. They should also train by taking runs or evening walks to be physically fit for this expedition.

 

Gorilla trekking permits.

 

Everyone including the minors that go for the gorilla trekking safari are required to have a gorilla trekking permit and this can either be gotten through the tour operators, or through the boards that have been set up by the government to give out the permits.

 

 During the trek.

 

The safari guide gives a briefing to the minor before beginning the gorilla trekking expedition and minors should listen and adhere to the instructions given during the briefing, Interactions of the minors and the gorillas takes 1 hour.

 

What the minors should pack for the gorilla trekking safari in Africa.

• Hiking boots.
• Water bottle.
• Warm jacket and light clothes.
• Insect repellent.

 

Safety tips that minors should follow during gorilla trekking.

 

• The minors should follow instructions given to them in the briefing session before the gorilla trekking.
• The minors should not attempt to touch or feed the mountain gorillas during the interaction session.
• When the minors are taking pictures/ videos they should not use the flashlight as the light could be a stress factor to the mountain gorillas.
• The minors should avoid dumping any litter/waste materials in any of the gorilla safari destinations (parks).
• The minors should not go off the paths or move away from the gorilla trekking group that they have been put in.
• In case the minor is attacked by the mountain gorilla, they should not run however they can bow their heads to symbolize their submissiveness to the gorillas.

 

Which places can the minors go for the mountain gorilla trekking safaris in Africa?

           

Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable Park. This is the most popular park in Uganda that is mown for harboring the largest population of the mountain gorillas in Africa and the minors can also get to study about the history of the different mountain gorilla families in Bwindi such as the Mubare, Katwe and the Kanywanyi gorilla family.

 

The other gorilla trekking safari destination alternative for minors in Uganda is the Mgahinga national park that is also found in the Southwestern region of the country and it has approximately 100individuals.

 

The  price for gorilla trekking permit for minors who are foreigners in Uganda is  700 US dollars for foreigners while minors that are residents of East Africa pay 250,000 UGX and on the other hand minors that are from foreign countries but still residents of  the Republic of Uganda pay  600$.

 

Rwanda.

 

Volcanoes national park. This park is situated in the Northern parts of Rwanda and it harbors an estimate of 380 mountain gorillas. The Volcanoes national park also offers mountain gorilla conservation educational programs to the minors.  The price of the gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda for minors is 1500$, for the minors that are from any East African country in Rwanda pay 200$ for gorilla trekking and on the other hand residents of Rwanda from foreign countries pay 500$.

 

The Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

Virunga national park; this park is ideal for gorilla trekking safaris for the minors because it has both the lowland gorillas and the mountain gorillas. The minors also get an opportunity   to discover scenic beauty such as the mesmerizing picturesque views of the Virunga Mountains.

Minors from foreign countries in Congo pay 400$ and the residents from East African countries pay 200$ for the gorilla trekking permits however the Citizens of Congo pay 20$.

 

Can minors participate in gorilla habituation?

Yes minors can experience the gorilla habituation in Africa in the park listed above and this experience takes 4 hour as the minors get to interact and study the different behaviors of the mountain gorillas.

 

Is gorilla trekking safe for minors in Africa?

 

Yes gorilla trekking is a safe activity for minors above 15 years to carry out in Africa because during the trek, they are offered protection by the armed rangers. The guide also usually takes time to analyze if the minor is fit for the gorilla trekking safari.