Updated 20 October 2026

Gorilla Trekking Eligibility Minimum age: 15 The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) sets the minimum age for gorilla trekking at 15, and the same applies to the Gorilla Habituation Experience. To go gorilla trekking in Uganda you must be at least 15 years old, hold a permit in your own name for that date, and be healthy on the day. Anyone with a cough, cold, fever or other infectious illness can be turned away to protect the gorillas. There is no upper age limit and no formal fitness test, but the trek can mean several hours on steep, muddy slopes, so reasonable fitness matters.

Porters and, for those who cannot walk far, sedan chairs carried by local teams make the trek possible for many older or less mobile visitors. The same core rules apply in Rwanda.

Gorilla Trekking Eligibility

Minimum age: 15

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) sets the minimum age for gorilla trekking at 15, and the same applies to the Gorilla Habituation Experience. Permits are issued with each trekker’s passport details, and rangers can ask for proof of age, so a 14-year-old will not be allowed in, even with a permit. The rule protects both sides: young children are more likely to catch and pass on childhood infections, and they may react unpredictably if a silverback charges or vocalises.

Families with younger children can still have a rewarding trip. Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale are usually open from age 12, and community walks, boat trips and game drives suit all ages. One parent can trek while the other stays with the children at the lodge, and some lodges offer childcare. See our guide to gorilla trekking for families.

No upper age limit

Visitors in their seventies and eighties trek every year. What matters is health and mobility, not age. Rangers try to give older and slower visitors a family that is usually easier to reach, though this cannot be guaranteed. A porter, a walking stick and a steady pace make a big difference. See our guide to gorilla trekking for seniors.

Health on trek day

This is the rule most likely to affect your trip. Gorillas share about 98% of our DNA and have little resistance to human illnesses such as colds, flu and measles, which can kill them. At the morning briefing, rangers ask whether anyone is unwell. If you have a cough, runny nose, fever or diarrhoea, you should say so, and the ranger may refuse to let you trek. UWA’s policy allows a partial refund for illness confirmed by a doctor, but not the full permit price, which is why good travel insurance matters.

Near the gorillas you may be asked to wear a face mask, must keep at least 7 m away and should turn away from the gorillas if you need to cough or sneeze. Chronic, non-infectious conditions such as asthma, diabetes or arthritis do not stop you trekking if they are well controlled. Tell the ranger at the briefing. See our guide to trekking with asthma or breathing conditions.

Fitness

There is no fitness test, but you should be able to walk for several hours on steep, uneven, often slippery ground at 1,500–2,600 m. Treks can take anywhere from one to six hours, depending on where the gorilla family is that day. Regular walking, hill climbs and stair work in the months before make the day far more enjoyable. If you cannot continue, rangers will arrange for you to be helped back, but you will miss the encounter. Read how fit you need to be.

Limited mobility and disabilities

Visitors who cannot walk the trail can book a sedan chair, a stretcher-like chair carried by a team of local porters, through UWA or their operator. It needs to be arranged in advance and costs extra, but it has allowed wheelchair users and people with serious mobility problems to see gorillas. Choosing a sector with gentler terrain and a family that is often close to the trailhead helps. See our guide to trekking with limited mobility.

Pregnancy

There is no formal ban on pregnant women trekking, but the steep terrain, risk of falls, altitude, malaria and distance from good medical care all need careful thought. Many doctors advise against it, especially later in pregnancy. Discuss it with your doctor before booking, and see our guide to gorilla trekking while pregnant.

Permit and documents

Each trekker needs a permit for the specific date and sector, booked with their passport details. A permit costs US$800 for foreign non-residents, or US$600 in April, May and November. Carry your passport on trek day, and arrive at the briefing point by about 7:30 am. Uganda also requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for entry. Our guide to the Uganda gorilla permit covers booking and refunds.

Frequently asked questions