Country: Rwanda
Destination: Volcanoes National Park
Itinerary at Glance
Day 1: Arrival Kigali and transfer to Musanze
Day 2: Hike Mount Muhabura at Volcanoes National Park.
Day 3: Ascend Mount Karisimbi
Day 4: Descend Mount Karisimbi and transfer to Kigali
Day 5: Departure
Trip Overview.
Embark on an unforgettable 5 Days Mount Karisimbi and Muhabura Hiking Adventure as you scale the majestic peaks of Mount Karisimbi and Muhabura. Beside primate adventures at Volcanoes National Park, hiking safaris is one of the most adventures activities that many visitors take part in to keep themselves fresh and fit, as one explores the park through taking a hike. The park also features a number of Great Virunga Mountain ranges that offer breathtaking experiences to hikers and adventure enthusiasts.
You will kick off your hiking adventure at Volcanoes National Park, with hiking Mount Muhabura (4.127 m), which is one of stunning mountains in Rwanda. Followed by hiking Mount Karisimbi.
Mount Karisimbi, named after amasimbi which denotes white shell in Kinyarwanda due to its white capped summit is a strenuous yet very rewarding hike which is normally done as a complement to gorilla trekking and all done within Volcanoes National Park. This volcano features as the highest out of all the 8 Great Virunga Volcanoes. It stretches up to 4507 meters above sea level and features as the sixth highest in Africa. A hike to Karisimbi’s summit is not an ordinary one, since you need two days and above where you will first camp around 3700 meters and catch a glimpse of stunning Mount Bisoke. The second day takes you to the summit and returns to where you started from. The hike takes two day.
Highlights for the 5 Days Mount Karisimbi and Muhabura Hiking Adventure.
- Mount Karisimbi hiking experience
- Mount Muhabura hiking experience
Day 1: Transfer from the airport to hotel
Day Itinerary
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcome by your guide, share a short briefing and transfer to your booked hotel in Musanze, a town close to Volcanoes National Park (depending on your arrival time, we may opt for Kigali city tour with a visit to Kigali genocide memorial) which is roughly 3 hour’s drive away from Kigali, you will reach late evening and check in for dinner and overnight stay.
Volcanoes National park
Bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda in Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience a face to face encounter with these intriguing creatures, making it the most famous park in Rwanda. The park is set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Highly regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorillas are without a doubt the main drawcard, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, visiting the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey and the Karisoke Research Centre, and enjoying a beautiful day hike to the Crater Lake on Mount Bisoke. You can as well as opt for trekking the shy golden monkeys or head for a canoe ride on the twin lakes. The beautiful Buhanga Eco Park, still remains virgin and open to visitors, where you get more cultural insight in regards to leadership and kingship of Rwanda.
Overnight stay at: La Palme Hotel.
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Hike Mount Muhabura
Day Itinerary
After breakfast, you will head off to the park headquarters for a briefing. After briefing at the park, you will later head off for hiking. The hike will typically take a full day from 6 to 8 hours depending on your Mount Muhabura hiking experience. You will head off with your packed lunch. You need to be in good shape, however the hiking is not as strenuous as other mountains, though challenging as well. On the summit, you will be able to see Crater Lake which is on the top of the Muhabura Mountain. (4,127m).You will later descend and drive back to the hotel.
Overnight stay at: La Palme Hotel.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Hike Mount Karisimbi
Day Itinerary
Have an early morning breakfast, as today you’re up for a great challenge, thus hiking Mount Karisimbi in two day. You will need to be in very good shape, so as to be able to submit the mountain in a short time. Your guide will meet you very early by 6am, and proceed to drive to park headquarters for briefing and later head off for the hiking adventure. Later head off, for the Mount Karisimbi hike. You will undertake the hike to the summit of mount Karisimbi which stands at 4507 meter above sea level, roughly 6 – 7 hour’s hike. You will head with packed lunch and water with you. You will need to bring along some snacks and energy drinks. Upon reaching the summit, you will later descend to your camp, for an overnight stay on the summit. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Overnight stay at: Camping
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Descend Mount Karisimbi and transfer to Kigali
Day Itinerary
Have a relaxed mouthwatering breakfast, later you will start your descend down with an en route lunch. You will meet your guide who will transfer you, for refreshment at the hotel in Musanze before you drive to Kigali. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel
Overnight stay at: Quiet Haven Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Departure
Day Itinerary
After having your early morning breakfast, depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to Kigali airport, for your onward flight back home. End of 5 Days Mount Karisimbi and Muhabura Hiking Adventure!
Meal Plan: Breakfast
This safari package includes.
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- Karisimbi hike permit
- Mount Muhabura hike permit
- En-route lunches
- Hiking logistics
- Soft drink during the meal
- Services of English speaking driver/guide
- Unlimited bottles of mineral water
The package excludes expenses of personal nature like:
- Visa Fees & flights
- Optional activities
- Tips & gratuities
- Laundry
- Alcoholic drinks
- International vaccinations
- Health test requirements
- Porter fees while trekking
- Personal travel Insurance
- Personal shopping bills
- Phone call bills
- Extras while at the hotel
- Items of personal nature
Please contact us for a free detailed quote on the option of your choice. We can tailor a request that suits your interests, and budget, as well as we can change or upgrade the lodge options. Write to us with more details about your safari.