4 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Karisimbi Hike

4 Days of Exploration in Rwanda The Gorilla Trekking Safari and Mount Karisimbi Hike offers an incredible experience that transports you to Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda. Here, you will immerse yourself in the captivating activity of gorilla trekking, allowing you to connect with the endangered mountain gorillas. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to visit the local community and embark on a hike up Mount Karisimbi, the highest volcano in the Virunga mountain ranges and the eleventh highest peak in Africa.  Mount Karisimbi is an inactive volcano nestled in Volcanoes National Park, right at the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The towering volcano stands at an impressive 4507 meters above sea level, encircled by its formidable neighbors, Mikeno, Nyiragongo, and Bisoke.

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Volcanoes National Park.

Depending on your arrival time at Kigali International Airport on the first day of the 4-day Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and Mount Karisimbi hike, you will be welcomed by our driver guide who will brief you about the safari and then transfer to Kigali for a city tour. On the Kigali city tour, you will explore vibrant craft centers to purchase unique souvenirs, delve into the poignant history at the Kigali genocide memorial center, and engage with local traders at the bustling Kimironko market. Following the city tour, you will enjoy lunch before embarking on an exciting journey to the volcanoes national park, which will take approximately 2 to 3 hours by car. As you journey along, breathtaking vistas of the countryside unfold before you, with undulating hills and captivating landscapes. Upon reaching your destination, you will settle into the lodge for a delightful dinner and a cozy overnight stay.

Day 2: Embark on an exhilarating journey of gorilla trekking followed by an immersive cultural tour of Ibyi’wacu.

After an early breakfast on the second day of the 4-day Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and Mount Karisimbi hike, you will pack your lunch and meet your driver guide. Together, you will head to the Kinigi park headquarters for a briefing on the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking. Following the briefing, you will be divided into groups of eight, assigned a gorilla family to explore, and paired with a park guide who knows the jungle trails like the back of their hand. The trek to encounter the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park can range from 30 minutes to 7 hours, depending on the location where the gorillas rested the night before. Once the gorillas are located, you will have the opportunity to spend an hour with them in their natural environment. During this time, you can observe their behaviors, watch them feed, play, breastfeed, and capture photos and videos with a flashless camera. Following your exhilarating hour with the mountain gorillas, you will make your way back to the park headquarters, where you will reunite with your driver guide for a transfer to the lodge, ready for a late lunch. After lunch, you will embark on an exciting cultural tour to explore Ibyi’wacu village. On the cultural tour, you will have the chance to engage with the local community, allowing you to immerse yourself in their culture, traditions, and way of life. You will explore their farmlands and homesteads, discover the process of making local beer from bananas, hear their ancient tales, savor their traditional dishes, and participate in their vibrant performances, among other experiences. Following the Ibyi’wacu cultural tour, you will head back to the lodge for dinner and a night of rest.

Day 3: Embark on the journey to Mount Karisimbi

On the third day of your 4-day Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and Mount Karisimbi hike, you will start with an early breakfast. Afterward, you will pack your lunch, gather plenty of drinking water, and prepare your camping and hiking gear. Then, you will meet your driver guide for a transfer to the park headquarters, where you will receive a briefing about the hike up Mount Karisimbi. Following the briefing, you will embark on a journey to the starting point, where an experienced guide awaits to share their expertise about the mountain. You will receive a walking stick and have the opportunity to hire a porter, who will assist you by carrying your backpack and providing support during your hike. As you ascend Mount Karisimbi, you will traverse a variety of vegetation zones, from the enchanting bamboo forests at the lower slopes to the captivating Hagania Hypericum forest higher up, and finally to the striking giant lobelia, where a diverse array of animals and bird species await your discovery. Upon reaching 3700 meters, you will pause for a delightful dinner and a night under the stars.

Day 4: Embark on a thrilling hike to the summit, then make your way down before departing for Kigali.

On the final day of your 4-day Rwanda gorilla trekking safari and Mount Karisimbi hike, you will enjoy breakfast before setting off on the exhilarating journey to the summit of Mount Karisimbi. Upon reaching the summit, you will be greeted by breathtaking vistas of the stunning landscape, including Mount Muhabura, Mount Nyiragongo, and Nyamulagira in the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with the neighboring communities, perfect for capturing unforgettable photographs, among other experiences. After taking in the stunning vistas at the summit, you will begin your descent back to the starting point, where you will reunite with your driver guide for a transfer to the lodge for a late lunch.

After lunch, you will check out of the lodge and meet your driver guide for a transfer to Kigali. Upon arrival, your driver guide will drop you off at Kigali International Airport for your departure flight or at any advised location.

End of tour 

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