4 days Rwanda gorillas and Karisimbi hiking offers you the best of gorilla trekking and hiking adventure experiences in Volcanoes National Park. This short Rwanda tour combines a trek to see mountain gorillas in the wild and hiking to the magnificent summits of Mount Karisimbi, the highest of all the 8 Virunga Volcanoes. Covering Rwanda’s share of the Virunga Massif, Volcanoes National Park/Parc National des Volcanos is Rwanda’s only park to visit for mountain gorilla trekking or golden monkey tracking. Lying in the far Northwest, Volcanoes NP sits on 160 sq.kms of land area and houses 5 of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes- Gahinga, Karisimbi (4507m), Sabyinyo, Muhabura and Bisoke.
Over 200 bird species also live within Volcanoes NP plus several other floral and faunal species like buffalo, hyenas, antelopes. The park was gazetted in 1925 mainly to host mountain gorillas which you will learn more about while on this tour that starts and ends in Kigali.
Brief itinerary
- Day 1: Rwanda gorilla tour & Karisimbi hiking trip to Volcanoes NP
- Day 2: PNV Gorilla trekking, Iby’Iwacu village visit
- Day 3: Mount Karisimbi hiking
- Day 4: Descend from Mt. Karisimbi & departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick, City Tour, and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Have an early morning breakfast, meet your Rwanda tour guide for a warm welcome into the Land of a Thousand Hills. After, get oriented about your 4-day Rwanda gorilla tour and Karisimbi hiking. Briefly take a tour in Kigali to visit the Kigali genocide memorial centre (offers insight into what happened during the Rwanda genocide of 1994), craft market etc. Start 2-3 hour journey afterwards heading to Volcanoes NP, Ruhengeri for an overnight stay at the lodge. Dinner and overnight at:
Luxury/Up-market: Five Volcanoes Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Moderate: Da Vinci Lodge/Le Bambou Lodge
Basic: Hotel Muhabura/Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 2: PNV Gorilla trekking, Iby’Iwacu village visit
Day 2 of this 4 day Rwanda gorilla tour and Karisimbi hiking today begins with a hefty breakfast, after which, assemble at Kinigi for orientation about rules for gorilla trekking. Leave Volcanoes N/Park to search for mountain gorilla group the park official allocates to you, spend about 2-6 hours with a guarantee of one hour upon finding them.
Volcanoes N/Park Ruhengeri, presently houses 13 families gorilla gorillas including Bwenge, Umubano, Agashya, Sabyinyo, Karisimbi, Susa A, Kwitonda, Titus, Hirwa, Ugenda. Return afterwards to refresh and then visit be paid to Iby’Iwacu village. Enjoy the best of authentic African cultural experiences at Iby’Iwacu as you interest with the warm welcoming Rwandese and have the rest of a refreshing evening at the lodge.
Accommodation
Luxury/Up-market: Five Volcanoes Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Moderate: Da Vinci Lodge/Le Bambou Lodge
Basic: Hotel Muhabura/Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 3: Mount Karisimbi hiking
Hiking Mt. Karisimbi 4507m high: After breakfast, leave the lodge for a hike to Mt Karisimbi summit and this will include an overnight stay at Bisoke. It is a breathtaking trek and don’t forget to come with some packed lunch plus bottled drinking water to help keep you fit as you conquer the 4507m elevation. The round Karisimbi trek covers 6-8 hours and the summits are noted for jaw-dropping views of Virunga Volcanoes, surrounding areas, etc.
Day 4: Descend from Mt. Karisimbi & departure
Enjoy a hefty breakfast, meet your guide and begin descending to briefing point from where you will exit Volcanoes NP for Kigali. Depart from Kigali Airport if you have your flight scheduled the same day.
End of the Rwanda gorilla tour and Karisimbi hiking days
Tour inclusions
- Gorilla permits USD1500 each
- Karisimbi hike fees
- Kigali tour
- 4×4 car for all your ground travel for 4 days
- Full-time French or English Rwanda guide for 4 days
- Any relevant Rwanda government taxes
- Bottled water
4 days Rwanda gorilla Safari excludes
- Cigars
- Visas, Passports
- Phone calls
- Flight fares
- Insurance
- Laundry
- Tipping
Things to pack for the 4-day Rwanda gorilla tour and Mount Karisimbi hiking
- Insect repellent
- First aid kit
- Toiletries
- Gardening gloves
- Rain jacket
- Snacks
- Camera free from flashlight
- Bottled water
- Sweater
- Rain jacket or coat
- Trousers
- Long sleeved shirt
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Hat