The age limit for gorilla tracking in Uganda is one of the most important factors considered before venturing into the jungles to meet face to face with the endangered Mountain gorillas.

The age limit for tracking Uganda Gorillas is 15 years and was set by Uganda Wildlife Authority in agreement with wildlife governing bodies (Rwanda Development Board and Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) from the other two countries where the mountain gorillas are found. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is conducted within the pristine rainforests of south-western Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks where more than 20 habituated gorilla groups are tracked by eligible persons including age-appropriate tourists.

Why set an age limit for Gorilla Tracking in Uganda?

The age limit for tracking Uganda gorillas was set to limit vulnerable persons with unpredictable behavior from encountering the giant apes. It is believed that persons below 15 years may become unpredictable when the mountain gorillas charge hence leading to attack from the primates.

Anyone below 15 years is regarded as a child thus not able to deal with any negative change in behavior of the Mountain gorillas such as when they charge. Although the trackable Mountain gorillas first go through a habituation process to make them used to humans, they are still wild animals that may sometimes become aggressive hence need someone who is mature enough when it comes to reaction to their aggressiveness. The reaction of a 5-year old child after a mountain gorilla charging is obvious. She/he will choose to scream or run instead of standing still thus leading to Mountain gorillas’ behavioral changes.

The age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda was therefore set as a way of minimizing the unpredictable behavior of children when in the presence of Mountain gorillas. Not only that, another genuine reason for setting the age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda is the fact that the adventurous activity is strenuous and physically demanding hence requiring someone to be physically prepared. There is no way a 2, 4, 5, 8 or 10 year old would hike the high altitudes of Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks hence the minimum age limit for trekking Uganda gorillas being at 15 years.

Do you know younger children have higher risk of spreading communicable diseases such as flue and cough compared to adults? Mountain gorillas are up to 98% related to humans, making them vulnerable to a number of communicable diseases such as cough, flue, measles and many others.

However, age shouldn’t be a limitation to trekking the Mountain gorillas in Uganda because there are some instances when children below 15 years can trek. Some of the conditions are if he/she is just few months to making 15 years, children that are below 15 years yet physically, mentally and emotionally mature as well as if he/she is trekking in the company of a parent or guardian.