Age limit is a serious concern for travelers booking gorilla safaris in Africa. Children aged below 15 years are not allowed to take part in gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Virunga Conservation Area where mountain gorillas live. Parents traveling with children are advised to choose the alternative activities for their children . Fortunately, there are various children friendly activities which young ones can do while parents trek gorillas.
Superfine Safaris Limited guided on the suitable activities for children on a gorilla trekking trip ensuring fun for everyone. Gorilla trekking is the leading primate safari experience in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which bring the highest number of travelers from all over the world. Age restrictions is one of the major concerns in all gorilla national parks across Africa. The top activities for children on a gorilla safari include among others:
Nature/Forest walks
While parents trek into the jungle in search of the gentle giants, children can go for a guided nature /forest walk. In most cases, nature walks are done a short distance from the hotel and can last for up to two hours but at a relaxed speed. A nature walk is the best moment for children to pick up beautiful flowers, look up for birds in the trees and small forest animals especially monkeys. Walking on foot through the forest is the best way to explore and enjoy the quite natural en environment. Children will follow different trails to visit some tourism spots such as waterfalls, which make the whole experience more enjoyable.
Community visits
Children are also taken to visit local communities neighboring gorilla national parks in Uganda and Rwanda. The most visited local villages are for batwa pygmies where kids are taught about the forest life of these Batwa people and how they lived harmoniously with wild animals for thousands of years. More so, local people who perform traditional dances, songs and skits introduce young kids to local community’s traditions, norms and customs, entertain children.
Children are also guided to neighboring village schools where they get a chance to interact with fellow kids. Community visits also involve touring medical centers and other community projects. Kids are allowed to take part in some local activities such as grinding sorghum and peeling plus traditional dances, which make them, feel as part of the local community.
If you are doing a Rwanda gorilla safari in Volcanoes National Park, children can visit the Iby’iwacu community village to learn more about Rwanda’s traditions, norms and customs.
City tours
A city tour especially to the beautiful Kigali is a not miss for kids. While children are taken to various art galleries, local markets and shopping malls, which is an interesting, experience. The other interesting activities for kids in Rwanda include Heaven restaurant & inn Playground, City Arts classes, Pili Pili sandbox and pool, Fazenda Sengha Horse Farm, Spiderman Game Center, Playground at Mamba Club, Playground at La Palisse Hotel, Play Area at Bamboo Chinese, Pool at Umubano Hotel and Play area at Monaco Café. Parents are very assured that kids will have a good time on a gorilla tour to Africa.
Photography
Kids are well versed with the camera can go for photography near the hotel as their parents trek the gorillas. Photography goes along with filming which is indeed an interesting activity.
What to pack for kids of an African safari
In order to ensure safety and comfort of children on your gorilla safari to Africa, parents are reminded to pack the following for the kids:
Snacks and drinks: Safaris to see gorillas normally take long hours before travelers come back. More so, parents go with packed lunch into the jungle. It’s therefore wise to pack enough snacks and drinks for the kids to keep them strong in absence of their parents
Playing toys
Endeavor to bring playing toys for your children. These will keep them busy throughout and kill the boredom. However, do not carry big heavy toys to reduce on the baggage.
First aid kit
Parents are also reminded to bring a first aid kit for safety in case of any accident. The fact that kids can at times be playful, sliding and falling on sharp objects is inevitable. A first aid kit is therefore a must have on an a gorilla safari in Africa.
Warm sweaters and jackets
Gorilla parks (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Volcanoes, Virunga and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks) are generally cold especially at night and in the morning hours. Travelers are therefore reminded to bring warm sweaters to save kids from cold nights.
In general, traveling with kids is undeniably an interesting experience you should try. Superfine Safaris Limited offers you suitable activities for children while travelers trek gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Batwa cultural trail is one way of exploring Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The experience is about learning and experiencing the traditional forest life of Batwa pygmies who lived thousands of years in the jungle. In this experience, Batwa pygmies guide travelers into Mgahinga Forest to perform some indigenous batwa activities such as hunting, fruit gathering, collecting honey, picking medicinal herbs and making fire.
Enjoy a 5-6 hours Sabinyo walk in the sloped of the extinct Sabinyo Volcano. The gorge walk is a tiresome and strenuous experience but worth the effort You will meander through different vegetation zones of Mt Sabinyo which give you chance to see numerous birds, plants and animals. The Sabinyo walk also offers you spectacular views of the Virunga volcanoes, Bwindi Forest, Local communities, gardens and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Gorilla trekking
Habituated in the bamboo Forests of Volcanoes National Park situated in Northwestern Rwanda, mountain gorillas are the major tourist attraction that brings many travelers to Rwanda. You ought not to miss a close meet-up with these endangered primates in their natural habitats. Rwanda is one of the 3 countries where these endangered primates can be seen in the wild. The other two countries that harbor gorillas are Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since 2027, Rwanda has been popular for offering luxury gorilla safaris at $1500 for a single gorilla permit.
Regarding accommodation in Rwanda, the country has numerous first class lodges and hotels to offer you food and sleeping services at affordable rates. The leading lodges in Rwanda include Bisate Lodge, Virunga Lodge, One & Only Nyungwe House, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Kigali Serena Hotel, Ruzizi Tented Camp, Akagera Game Lodge, Magashi Camp, Lake Kivu Serena, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Kigali Marriott Hotel and Radisson Blu Hotel. These hotels and lodges offer luxury, midrange and budget services as required by travelers. Well-trained and professional staffs are at your service all day and night to ensure a smooth and quick service delivery system. Superfine Safaris Limited help you book and reserve hotel rooms at a cheap price
Second to Murchison Falls National Park in terms of size and popularity, Queen Elizabeth National Park will also be open freely for Ugandans for two days. The Savannahs Park is located in western Uganda spreading over 1.978 square kilometers. The park is home to a variety of wild animals such as Buffalos, elephants, Lions, Leopards, Hyenas, Uganda kobs, Warthogs, antelopes, and waterbucks among others. The park also boosts the rare tree-climbing lions seen in the ishasha sector south of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Do not miss visiting the beautiful 
It’s so easy to find gorillas in the wet season as compared to the dry season. During the rainy season, there is an abundance of vegetation and general food for the gorillas even on the lower slopes. Trekking to see them takes much less time as compared to the dry season Mountain gorillas are seen roaming in the lower slopes of the mountains they live. Travelers with difficulty in trekking can therefore trek during the rainy season when gorillas are easily seen
You must pack the essentials I you want a less stressful gorilla encounter in rainy season. The first thing in your backpack should be a rain jacket to deal with the rain showers. Also, endeavor to pack light-closed hiking boots/shoes to protect your feet from mud and slippery ground. Gardening gloves are a not-miss to protect your hands, a Hat for your hair, and a poncho/scarf to keep you warm all through. Long-sleeved shirts/blouses and pants are also highly advised to keep your arms and legs safe.
Trekking gorillas during the rainy season comes with some challenges, especially slippery and muddy grounds. You must therefore be prepared to overcome this. Firstly, you need to be physically fit and mentally ready for the adventure. Travelers are advised to do some physical exercises to ensure fitness. Also, pack the essentials such as hiking boots rain jacket, and the like as mentioned already. Visit your medical person for a checkup and get treatment if need be.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was established in 2005 spreading over 70 square kilometers of land located in Mukerenege Village in the Kafu river basin in Nakasongora district in north western Uganda. The major purpose for the establishment of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was to protect the endangered white rhinos which had been reintroduced in the country after decades of nonexistence.
For birders, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is home to over 300 bird species some of which are hardly seen anywhere else in the country. Some of the birds seen at Ziwa sanctuary include Shoebill, Grey Crowned Crane, African fish eagle, African Jacana, African Grey hornbill, Pied Kingfisher, Marabou stork, White Egrets, Blackheads stork, Red-chested Cuckoo and hamerkop among others.
