4 Days Luxury Karisimbi Hike and Rwanda Gorilla trek

4 Days Luxury Karisimbi Hike and Rwanda Gorilla trek : Mount Karisimbi is more interesting when blended with Rwanda Gorilla trekking experience, a 4 Days hike to Mount Karisimbi and gorilla trekking 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 metres above sea level where you are required to be fit enough, in good health and stamina to reach the summit.  It takes approximately 2 days of ascending and descending of the Volcano with great scenic views of the scenery including, different bird species, 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 to do while in Volcanoes national park.

Highlight of the itinerary

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 transfer to Ruhengeri where we find the Volcanoes national park. It is a 2 to 3 hours’ 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;

Day 2: Karisimbi Hiking

Wake up early, have enjoy breakfast at your lodge then, connect to the park headquarters for briefing about the activity at 7 am before you drive 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 metres above sea level where you will camp for an overnight.

What to carry; A sleeping bag, worm clothes, gloves and water proof pants and coats, Water proof 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 the 4,705 metres 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 return to the starting point where you will meet your guide. It’s a 6 hours hike with great views of the mountain with chances of spotting the different birds, 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 overnight stay at 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 gears and ranger guides. Enter the montane forest and start the search of 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 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.