3 Days Rwanda Gorilla trek and Mount Karisimbi Hike
This 3 days Rwanda Gorilla trek and Mount Karisimbi Hike package is designed for clients who are interested in observing wild gorillas and hiking one of Africa’s tallest mountains. Both activities are within the Volcanoes national park and require potential visitors to be in great physical shape and fitness. It takes a shorter distance to reach Volcanoes national park from Kigali—the capital of Rwanda—compared to, say, Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable park or Congo’s Virunga National park.
Mount Karisimbi is the tallest of the 8 Volcanic mountains of the Virunga Mountains. Hiking Mount Karisimbi takes two days and visitors are rewarded with beautiful views of the Virunga Mountain ranges from the top of the summit. Spotting the vegetation, birds and primates during ascent and descent is also worth something to remember.
Safari Highlight
- Day 1: Mountain gorilla trekking—Volcanoes National Park
- Day 2: Hike to Mount Karisimbi
- Day 3: Reach the summit, descend and return to Kigali city
Detailed package
Day 1: Mountain gorilla trekking—Volcanoes National Park
Depending on your location in Kigali, meet your driver as early as 4 am to transfer to Volcanoes national park. Upon arrival, attend a briefing at 7 am at the park head office regarding the mountain gorillas in the mist, and then enter the jungle to search for them; this search takes about 2 to 8 hours, depending on their location. On finding the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend 1 hour taking amazing photos and videos. After trekking, connect to check-in at booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Amikus/Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/Five Volcanoes Lodge
Day 2: Hike to Mount Karisimbi
After breakfast, drive back to the park headquarters for a briefing about your Mount Karisimbi hike as early as 7am; you will then be allocated the ranger guides and you will head for the hike. Karisimbi volcano is the highest of the 8 mountain peaks of the Virunga conservation region. The hike to the summit offers spectacular and magnificent views of different volcanoes, including the Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes.
The hike is strenuous and challenging so you need to be physically fit to do this hike. This is a 6-hour hike with great views and different bird species and primates. On reaching an altitude of about 3700m, you will stop at the first camping site, where you will spend a night.
Day 3: Reach the summit, descend and return to Kigali city
After an early morning cup of coffee, embark on an hour’s hike to the summit. At this level the hike is very steep, going through trials of thick jungles surrounded by stunning scenery. Upon reaching the summit, enjoy amazing views of the surrounding areas like mount Muhabura.
After enjoying your time at the summit, descend to the starting point, where you will meet your driver readily waiting for you. Upon meeting your driver, connect for lunch before you embark on your journey back to Kigali. The driver will drop you off at a location you advise or at Kigali airport for your return back home.
End of 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla trek and Mount Karisimbi Hike
