4 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Karisimbi Hiking

1.  Touring Kigali city and visiting the Gisozi Genocide memorial site
2. Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
3. 2 Days of Mount Karisimbi Hiking

Day 1: Tour of Kigali City – Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park
Our guide will come pick you at your hotel or the airport early morning. After the initial briefing, you will start with a Kigali city tour. You will go visit the Gisozi genocide war memorial site to learn about the 1994 Rwandan genocide which led to the death of over 500,000 Rwandans. After learning about this sad episode in Rwanda’s history, you will go visit  the Kings palace and the local markets to buy some souvenirs. You will have lunch and then start the 3 hours journey to the volcanoes national park. You will be deeply impressed by the beautiful, green and mountainous countryside. Rwanda is indeed “The land of a thousand hills.

Dinner and overnight at The 5 Volcanoes Lodge ( Luxury), Davinci Lodge (Mid-range) and The Garden Place Hotel (Budget).

Day 2 and 3: Transfer to Kinigi – Begin two days of hiking Mount Karisimbi
Our guide will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning to take you to the Kinigi park offices for briefing on hiking Mount Karisimbi. Hiking to the top of Mount Karisimbi volcano takes 6 hours and starts at 8:00 am with a drive from the Kinigi park offices to the Karisimbi head trail. You will be joined by cooks and porters to help carry your backpack or hiking stick. Hiking starts from the Mount Bisoke side before finally reaching an altitude of 3,700 meters were you stop and camp for the night. Early the next day, you will continue up to the very top of the Volcano. Once you are on top, you will be able to view the beautiful landscape of the Virunga ranges which include nearby mountains and the volcanoes national park. Dinner and Overnight is at the top of the mountain. On the second day and after seeing enough of the beautiful scenes, you will descend back to the starting point where our guide will be waiting to take you back to the lodge for early rest in preparation for gorilla tracking the next day.

Dinner and overnight at The 5 Volcanoes Lodge ( Luxury), Davinci Lodge (Mid-range) and The Garden Place Hotel (Budget).

Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda – Transfer back to Kigali for departure
After yesterdays activity and early rest, wake up and take your breakfast before heading to the p-ark offices for briefing on gorilla tracking which usually takes place at 7:00am. The head guide will let you know of all information regarding gorilla tracking and how to conduct yourself while with the gorilla family. Briefing is compulsory and is also a time when you choose your gorilla family and hire a porter. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda involves selecting a gorilla family from the 10 habituated groups. Selection is based on ones overall fitness, location of your lodge and personal preference. Once you are done with the briefing and selections, you can now go to track the gorillas. Tracking mountain gorillas can be challenging depending on which gorilla family you choose but nothing beats the excitement of finally meeting the primates.

You will only have one hour with the gorilla family. Listen to instructions from your guide while with the gorilla family. After your time has elapsed, you should now head back to the starting point where you will find our guide who will take you back to the lodge for lunch and rest before starting the journey back to Kigali.

End of Tour

Gear for gorilla trekking

1. Good hiking boots
2. Thick cotton gloves
3. Light snack and drinking water
4. Porters to help with your luggage
5. Hiking stick

For the best gorilla tracking experience

1. Be in good physical fitness
2. Wear proper hiking footwear.
3. Take rain into consideration
4. Move with drinking water and packed snack
5. Reserve some 10USD as tip to the guides and rangers if you can.

Important Notes:

1. This Itinerary does not include accommodation and dinner on arrival but can be arranged
2. The minimum  age for gorilla trekking is 15 years
3. You need to check to ensure you meet all the visa and inoculation requirements.
4. You are required to have a yellow fever immunization card to enter Rwanda
5. Apply online for a Visa before traveling depending on your nationality

Tour Quote Includes

1. A Full time safari vehicle
2. A Full time guide from Mission Africa Safaris
3. Fuel for the entire safari
4. Gorilla Permits
5. Drinking water everyday
6. Hiking fees
7. Pickup and drop-off in Kigali
8. Touring the city of Kigali

Tour Excludes
International flights, visas, personal expenses like tip, beverages, wines and personal insurance.