4 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking and Karisimbi Hike : This 4 days Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Mount Karisimbi Hike Safari is designed for visitors interested in tracking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda) and then hike Mount Karisimbi in Rwanda.
Mount Karisimbi is a dormant volcanoes found in Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, the volcano lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Mount Karisimbi is 4,507 meters tall and hence the highest of all the 8 Virunga ranges of mountains. Mount Karisimbi is flanked by Nyirangongo the west, Bisoke to the East and Mikeno to the north.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to about half of the overall population of mountain gorillas, the park is also home to chimpanzees, smaller primates, birds and forest mammals. There are 20 habituated gorilla families and on this safari, you will trek only one habituated gorilla family.
Tour Highlights
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Kigali City tour
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Visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village
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Hiking Mount Karisimbi
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Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest Uganda
Detailed itinerary of 4 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking and Mount Karisimbi Hike
Day 1: Kigali City tour – Transfer to the Volcanoes National park – Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village
On the start of your safari you will enjoy breakfast at your lodge, meet our company guide/drive. He will brief you and share details about this 4 Days safari before taking you for a tour of the city of Kigali, this tour allows you witness the transformation that has taken place in Rwanda since the horrific genocide in 1994.
Kigali city is organized, clean and developing at a fast rate. Also, you will visit one of the genocide war memorial sites and the presidential palace museum before starting the three hour journey to Volcanoes National Park. Along the way lookout for Rwanda’s amazing countryside with rolling hills, green tea plantations and smiling locals.
Once you reach your lodge, you will have some time to rest, shower and relax before going on a visit to the nearby Gorilla Guardians Village, formerly known as the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village which start as a small center where former poachers could sell artisan products to tourists. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options – Virunga Lodge (Luxury), the Da Vinci lodge (Midrange) or Kinigi Guest House (Budget).
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Mount Karisimbi Hiking
Wake up to sumptuous breakfast and wait for the driver to take you to the park headquarters in Kinigi for registration at around 9 am, while at the park headquarters you will undergo briefing about the hike. You will be assigned guides and rangers along with other hikers before being taken to the starting point of the hike.
Remember that you will also be moving with a team of porters to help with setting camp and cooking dinner, hiking Mount Karisimbi starts at 10 am. We will provide the walking stick packed lunch, drinking water, hiking and camping gear. A camp will be set before reaching the summit where you will have dinner before resting for the night in a tent. We will also take care of the porters and chef to cook for you while up in the mountain.
Day 3: Reach the summit and descend down the volcano – transfer to Bwindi
You will wake up by singing birds to take early morning breakfast and then continue the climb to the summit of Mount Karisimbi. Your persistence will be rewarded by stunning landscape and vegetation.
You will be able to see the Volcanoes National Park with lush green forest and get clearview of 7 of the Virunga Volcanoes including Mount Nyirangongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Other Key important landmarks including Virunga National Park, Rwenzori National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. After these amazing sights, you will descend down and once you reach the starting point. Our guide will take you for lunch and a short rest before embarking on the one-hour journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda’s top tourist destination.
Dinner and Overnight at Mahogany Springs Lodge (Luxury), Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) and Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget).
Day 4: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Kigali for departure
Wake up very early to great breakfast and ensure that you have packed lunch arranged by the lodge. Our Guide will take you to the park offices for registration and briefing. There are 20 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi forest park. You will be assigned a gorilla family depending on your overall fitness.
Mountain Gorilla tracking takes anywhere between 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorilla family and their location that day. If you wish to hire a porter to help with extra luggage, request for one at a fee of about $15. Mountain gorilla tracking is the ultimate wildlife experience. You cannot compare it with a normal safari. You will be observing creatures that resemble and behave like we humans the most Once you meet these amazing creatures, take as many photos as you can. Follow the instructions of the wardens and guides. You will only be allowed one hour with the gorillas. Remember that security and safety while with mountain gorillas or at Bwindi impenetrable forest is guaranteed. After observing the primates for one hour, head back to the lodge for checkout and travel back to Kigali. The driver will drop you at a hotel in Kigali or at the airport if you have a late flight.
End of 4 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking and Karisimbi Hike
