4 Days Luxury Karisimbi Hike and Rwanda Gorilla Trek
Mount Karisimbi is more interesting when blended with the Rwanda Gorilla Trekking experience. A 4 Days Luxury Karisimbi Hike and Rwanda Gorilla Trek is a better way of making the adventure more fun and interesting despite the challenges that come with hiking the highest mountain of all the eight Virunga Mountains, with a height of over 4,507 meters above sea level, where you are required to be fit enough, in good health, and have stamina to reach the summit.
It takes approximately 2 days of ascending and descending the volcano with great scenic views of the scenery, including different bird species and vegetation types like the montane forest and bamboo forests.
At the top of the mountain, visitors are rewarded with a Branc Caldera and some crater lakes with great views of other mountains like Nyamurangira, Nyiragongo and Muhabura Mountain. Gorilla trekking is also an incredible experience that shouldn’t be missed while in Volcanoes National Park.
Highlight of the itinerary
- Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 2: Hike Mount Karisimbi
- Day 3: Descend from the top
- Day 4: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Kigali
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Community tour
Depending on your location in Kigali city or upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by your safari guide and transferred to Ruhengeri, where we find the Volcanoes National Park. It is a 2- to 3-hour drive from the capital, Kigali, to the park with beautiful views of the rolling hills of Rwanda.
On arrival, you will proceed to your booked accommodation for check-in for lunch. Later afternoon, drive to Ibya’cuwa community village for a cultural experience of the Banyarwanda people, where you will learn and be entertained by the local people. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals;
- Hotel Muhabura for budget
- Le Bamboo Gorilla lodge for mid-range
- 5 Volcanoes Gorilla Lodge for Luxury
Day 2: Karisimbi Hiking
Wake up early, have breakfast at your lodge, and then connect to the park headquarters for a briefing about the activity at 7:00 am before you drive to the starting point where you will begin the hike with your ranger guides. You start the hike through Bisoke and navigate your way up to Karisimbi volcano.
The hike is quite challenging and steep, taking about 7 to 8 hours to reach a height of about 3,700 meters above sea level, where you will camp for an overnight.
What to carry; A sleeping bag, warm clothes, gloves, waterproof pants, and coats, Waterproof hiking shoes, a walking stick, Heavy jackets, sweaters, and hats
Day 3: Descend from the summit
Enjoy your cup of tea, then proceed to the top of Mount Karisimbi at 4,705 meters and enjoy the incredible views of the caldera and sights of Nyiragongo, Nyamulagira and Muhabura mountains.
After taking pictures and enjoying the top of the mountain, you will start to descend from the top and return to the starting point, where you will meet your guide. It’s a 6-hour hike with great views of the mountain with chances of spotting the different birds and primates if you are lucky.
Meet your guide, who will be waiting to receive you and connect to your accommodation to refresh, have lunch and spend the rest of the day relaxing at the lodge with great views of the Volcanoes Mountains.
Later evening, you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge as above.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking and transfer back to Kigali
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, your safari guide will drive you to the park headquarters for a briefing about the mountain gorillas. After the briefing, drive to the starting point along with tour trekking gear and ranger guides.
Enter the montane forest and start the search for the gorillas. Trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is easier and visitors can easily find the gorillas quickly. After viewing the gorillas for 1 hour, you will return to the starting point, where your guide will be waiting to meet you.
Drive for lunch before transferring back to Kigali City. The driver will either drop you off at your own booked accommodation or at Kigali airport for your onward flight back home.
End of 4 Days Luxury Karisimbi Hike and Rwanda Gorilla Trek
