Minimum and Maximum Age for Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park

Minimum and Maximum Age for Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park

Are you planning a family gorilla safari to Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and wondering about the age requirements for trekking gorillas? Trek Africa Gorillas is here to provide all the information you need. This article covers everything about the minimum and maximum age for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park, including permit costs, how to get there, accommodation options and why Trek Africa Gorillas is your best choice for booking.

Where is Mgahinga National Park Located?

Mgahinga National Park is located in Kisoro District in southwestern Uganda, part of the famous Virunga Mountain Chain, which spans across Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This park is renowned for its rare mountain gorillas and the captivating Golden Monkeys. As Uganda’s smallest national park, Mgahinga shares borders with Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the DRC and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The park is a tropical rainforest, home to three volcanoes: Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo and Mount Muhabura.

Age Requirements for Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga

Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking

The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park is 15 years. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of both the gorillas and the trekkers. Children under 15 are not permitted to trek gorillas due to the potential risks involved.

Children, being more prone to communicable diseases like colds and flu, can easily transmit these to the gorillas, who share about 99% of our DNA. Additionally, trekking in Mgahinga can be physically demanding, with rough and steep terrain, which can be difficult for younger children to handle.

Children aged 15 years are required to pay the same price for gorilla permits as adults. They will usually trek with their family members for easier management and care. However, if a child is underage, even if you have a permit, they will not be allowed to trek.

Maximum Age for Gorilla Trekking

There is no maximum age for trekking in Mgahinga, as long as you are physically fit to participate. For older travelers, there are options to make the trek more accessible. You can hire a porter to assist with carrying your bag and providing support as you navigate the terrain. Additionally, sedan chairs are available, which allow elderly visitors to be carried through the forest for around $300 per person. Many older visitors, including those in their 70s and 80s, have successfully trekked to see the gorillas with the help of porters and sedan chairs.

Your Gorilla Trekking Experience in Mgahinga

Mgahinga National Park is one of the top destinations in Uganda for gorilla tourism. The park is home to the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family, the only habituated mountain gorilla family in Mgahinga, which is available for trekking each day. Only eight visitors are allowed to visit this family per day, ensuring an intimate and exclusive experience with these magnificent creatures.

Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where you’ll get to see gorillas up close—within 7 meters of these incredible apes—observing their behavior and daily activities. You’ll spend one hour with the gorillas after finding them in the dense rainforest. This thrilling adventure is the highlight of many travelers’ visits to Uganda.

Gorilla Permit Costs

To participate in the trek, you’ll need to secure a gorilla permit in advance from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The costs are as follows:

• Foreign Non-Residents: $800 per person
• Foreign Residents: $700 per person
• East African Citizens: UGX 300,000 per person

Once your permit is secured, you’ll head to the Park Headquarters on the day of the trek for a briefing about the park’s rules and safety regulations. Experienced guides and park rangers will then accompany you on the trek into the forest. The journey through the dense rainforest and steep mountain slopes will lead you to an unforgettable experience with the gorillas in their natural habitat.

How to Get to Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is conveniently located and can be easily accessed from various places in East Africa. If you’re traveling from Kigali, Rwanda, the park is just a 4-hour drive away via the Chanika Border between Rwanda and Uganda. Starting your journey from Kigali International Airport or a hotel, you can enjoy a city tour of Kigali before crossing into Uganda’s Kisoro District for lunch and an overnight stay.

If you’re coming from Entebbe or Kampala, the drive to Mgahinga will take about 9 to 10 hours. The route goes through the Kampala-Mbarara-Kisoro highway, offering scenic views along the way.

For a quicker option, you can fly into Kisoro. Scheduled flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip are available daily, with a flight time of about 2 hours to Kisoro Airstrip. Several airlines, including AeroLink Uganda, offer these flights and charter flights are also an option.

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we can tailor your trip, allowing you to visit other parks in addition to Mgahinga National Park for a well-rounded East African adventure.

Where to Stay in Mgahinga National Park

When visiting Mgahinga National Park, you’ll find a variety of accommodation options, ranging from budget-friendly to luxury lodges. Most lodges are located on the outskirts of the forest, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and rainforest.

• Luxury Options:
  • Gahinga Lodge offers an upscale experience with incredible views of the park.
• Midrange to Budget Options:
  • Lake Chahafi Lodge and Lake Muhele Lodge provide comfortable stays at affordable prices.

Alternatively, you can stay in Kisoro Town, which is just a 30-minute drive from the park headquarters. Some travelers also choose to stay in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is only about an hour’s drive from Mgahinga National Park.

Why Book with Trek Africa Gorillas for Your Mgahinga Safari?

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we craft exceptional gorilla experiences in Mgahinga National Park and other top destinations in Uganda and the East African region. Whether you’re looking for discounted packages or a tailored safari to suit your interests, we have you covered.

Our strength lies in our dedicated team, which blends the enthusiasm of young, energetic staff with the expertise of experienced managers and directors, all passionate about creating authentic travel experiences for our guests.

With Trek Africa Gorillas, you can trust in the quality of your journey, as we are highly rated on TripAdvisor and Safari Bookings. Take a look at our reviews to see why past travelers recommend us for your genuine safari experience.

Ready to book your Mgahinga National Park adventure? Contact us today and we’ll help you plan the trip of a lifetime.