Children Tourism Activities In Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks: Dubbed the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda is one of the most interesting destinations for wildlife safaris. Amazing world-class attractions both natural and man-made are spread across the different parts of Uganda which are also crossed by the equator line. When it comes to climate, Uganda has an unmatchable favorable climatic condition in East and Central Africa. Visitors have traversed the country from right to left as they engage in different safari activities that include gorilla trekking safaris, chimpanzee tracking safaris, hiking safaris, wildlife safari game drives, sporting fishing tours, cultural tours with a lot of artifacts, monuments, religious structures that are of historical significance to Uganda.

The presence of more than 15 species of primates in Uganda has made the country popular as a world-class destination for tracking primates where visitors have enjoyed gorilla trekking safari in both in  Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National park, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, Golden monkey trekking, birding trips to various destinations among others activities.

Because of the sensitivity of primates especially the endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys, there has been a lot of regulation and limitations to the visitors wishing to explore Uganda for these primates.  Tracking gorillas in Uganda is limited to visitors who are above 15 years and those below 15 years are not allowed to take part in gorilla trekking and therefore no permits for them.

Some visitors have been finding it hard to move for gorilla trekking safaris without their children as there have not been any official activities that children can engage in as their parents move into the jungle to trek the habituated mountain gorilla families.

However, in a statement released by Uganda Wildlife Authority on 29^th October 2020, children activities have been introduced in Uganda’s Forested parks which include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Kibale Forest National park. The parks are prominently known for primate and ape tracking activities of which children below 12 years are restricted from taking part in chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National park while children below 15 years are restricted to gorilla trekking safaris in both Mgahinga and Bwindi Gorilla parks.

“To provide all-inclusive packages in these national parks, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, after consultation with partners decided to diversify and introduce new full children’s activities that the children can participate in while their parents are tracking” UWA statement reads.

The activities that are already running in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park include guided short nature walks at a cost of USD5 for both Foreign Residents and Non-Foreign Residents and 10,000 Ugandan shillings for Uganda and East African Children. Other activity introduced for ch6ildern is Painting and artwork at a cost of USD10 for both Foreign Residents and Non-Foreign Residents and 20,000 Ugandan shillings for Uganda and East African Children and lastly children will be able to engage in Scout adventure activities at a cost of USD10 for both Foreign Residents and Non-Foreign Residents and 20,000 Ugandan shillings for Uganda and East African Children.

These activities are being  will be introduced to Kibale Forest National park  as this year goes on, the introduction of these activities will increase your experience as now your free to travel with your family in these forested parks