5 DAYS RWANDA GORILLA TREKKING SAFARI & KARISIMBI HIKE
5 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari & Karisimbi Hike: This 5 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari & Karisimbi Hike is one of the adventurous safaris in Rwanda the land of a thousand hills. As stated in the itinerary, there are 2 activities to enjoy within this period of 5 days and 4 nights excursion including Mountain gorilla trekking as well as mount Karisimbi hiking safari all enjoyed within the top visited Volcanoes national park.
Volcanoes national park is part of the 4 destinations in Africa where endangered mountain gorillas are trekked all year round with other destinations being Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park all in Uganda as well as Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda still remains the best of all to visit for the Gorilla trekking adventure especially for tourists on a luxury safari since Rwanda is known for having the most expensive gorilla permits amongst all gorilla destinations in East Africa as compared to Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
On the other hand, Mount Karisimbi is one of the 8 volcanoes located in Virunga massif which include Mount Bisoke, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhavura, Mount Mikeno, Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamulagira. These 8 volcanoes are situated with in Uganda within Mgahinga gorilla national park, Rwanda with in Volcanoes national park and Congo within Virunga national park. Mount Karisimbi Hiking enables travelers on an adventure to summit the top of Mount Karisimbi at an elevation of 4,507M above the sea level thus one has to camp along the hike for overnight and summit the top on the following day and this safari starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda.
This 5 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari & Karisimbi Hike starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda.
Highlights of 5 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari &Karisimbi hike
- Day 1: Kigali pick up and drive to Ruhengeri, Volcanoes national park
- Day 2: Rwanda Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
- Day 3: Hike Mount Karisimbi (Ascend) up to 3700m
- Day 4: Ascend from 3700M to the summit and descend back and transfer back to Kigali
- Day 5: Kigali City Tour & departures
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Kigali pick up and drive to Ruhengeri
Be ready to be picked up from your hotel in Kigali or direct from Kigali international airport on day 1 of your 5 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari & Karisimbi hike and set off on a journey to Ruhengeri also known as Kiningi where Volcanoes national park is situated. You have a stopover at the park headquarters where you will obtain your gorilla trekking permit and the Mount Karisimbi hiking permit before proceeding to your reserved lodge to check in for dinner and overnight rest. If time allows, you may choose to enjoy some evening activities like guided nature walks or cultural tours.
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Rwanda Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
Enjoy an early breakfast at your lodge on day 2 of 5 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari & Karisimbi Hike then pack enough snacks, drinking water and wear the best gorilla trekking attire ready for an adventure in wilderness of Volcanoes national park as you search for the endangered mountain gorillas in the natural habitats.
Like any other gorilla trekking destination, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park will start with briefing at the park headquarter where all trekkers are supposed to gather and be informed about the dos and don’ts, the possible encounters and many more. After the briefing, you will be led into the forest to search for these gentle giants in the jungle. The trek takes about a 2-7 hours depending on movement on their movements and the speed of trekking by the slowest person in the group. Only 1 hour is allowed for you to spend with gorillas upon finding them.
Once the one hour with gorillas elapses, you will return to the lodge for lunch and spend your evening either on a guided walk to visit the twin lakes of Burela and Ruhondo or have a cultural tour to Ibyiwacu cultural center.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Hike Mount Karisimbi (Ascend) up to 3700m
Arise from the comfort of your bed early in the morning on day 3 of 5 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari & Karisimbi Hike, enjoy a heavy breakfast, pack enough drinking water, a packed lunchbox provided at the lodge, prepare your best hiking attire including light hiking boats, a cap, sun glasses, long sleeved attire, a rain jacket, garden gloves, insect repellent, warm sweater, a sleeping bag and many more that you might require while on this adventurous hike. After prepare all, check out of the lodge and met your safari driver to be transferred for a briefing with other hiker where you will be informed about mount Karisimbi, the possible encounters during the hike, the dos and don’ts while on the hike among others. After the briefing, ensure that you hire a porter and in case you dint pack your sleeping bag then hire one then start ascending from the bottom through the forests and keep on ascending while encountering with wildlife such as primates, mammals, birds, and the stunning vegetation cover without forgetting the view of Karisoke research Centre that was put in place by the primatologist Dian Fossey situated in between Mount Karisimbi and mount Bisoke. Along the hike, you will stopover to enjoy your packed lunch then hike again till you reach at 3,700M late in the evening where you will camp for dinner and overnight awaiting to summit the top of Karisimbi the next day.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Packed lunch & dinner
Day 4: Ascend from 3700M to the summit and descend back for departures
Arise at 3,700M along the Mount Karisimbi on day 4 of 5 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari & Karisimbi Hike, have breakfast served at your camp and proceed ascending to summit the top at 4,507M high above the sea level where you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the Caldera that is the major reason of ascending this straining volcano, have a glance at the entire Volcanoes national park from above, view the neighboring volcanoes in other parks and many other attraction that makes your hike one of the memorable one. Capture as many photographs as possible, have some leisure and finally start descending back to the starting point.
Descending is easier and more fascinating unlike ascending which is so straining. Once you get down, you will be picked by your safari driver and embark on the journey from Volcanoes national park heading back to Kigali with an enroute lunch at any hotel as you head to the most beautiful and clean city in Africa. You will check in your lodge for dinner and grab a night rest.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Kigali city tour & departures
Depending on your travel plan on the final day of your 5 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari & Karisimbi hike, you will enjoy a relaxed breakfast then head out for a half day Kigali city tour taking you to different corners of the city while viewing lots of attractions including Genocide Memorial sites, craft shops, market centers among others that’s only if time allows depending on your flight details otherwise, you will be dropped off at Kigali international airport for departures at your own time of convenience.
End of 5 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking & Mount Karisimbi hike.
Inclusive in 5 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari & Karisimbi Hike
- Pickups and drop offs
- A 4×4 safari van/ land cruiser for ground transportation throughout this 3 days safari
- Rwanda Gorilla trekking permit
- Mount Karisimbi Volcano hiking permit
- An English/ French speaking safari guide / driver
- Rangers
- Bottled drinking water
- All Meals as per itinerary
- Accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- All mentioned activities
Exclusive in 5 days Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari & Mount Karisimbi Hike
- Travel visa and flight air ticket
- Porter hire fees
- Optional activities
- Additional accommodation
- Tips & Gratuity
- Laundry
- Other drinks such as alcohol and juices
- Souvenirs
- Other personal expenses such as Emails services, airtime, cigar etc.
