Mt Karisimbi Hike and Gorilla trek.  Of the mountains and volcanoes that Rwanda has , Mountain  Karisimbi is a the highest with an altitude of about 4507 metres and probably the most beautiful of them!  The hike will last for 2 days and just like gorilla permits , a Karisimbi hiking permit must be booked in advance  in order to  enable ORTPN arrange ranger guides  to escort you  along the climb.  A Karisimbi climbing permit costs US$ 175 per person and this must be paid for in advance to avoid embarrassments. Porters are available for hire at USD 30 for the trek.

Day 1; Rwanda Tour and Safari – Genocide Memorial.

On arrival at the airport , you will be met and welcomed by a tour guide from AA safaris and tours Ltd .  He will brief you about your  itinerary and then later transfer  you to Kigali  for a city tour if time allows. The Kigali city tour offers a fantastic view of the Kigali the capital city  of Rwanda . Kigali  is the geographical and cultural heart of Rwanda with a high altitude and blessed with a year round moderate climate.   It is also the country’s vibrant commercial center and it was founded in 1907 as a small colonial outpost by Dr Richard Kandt, the first Germany colonial resident of Rwanda.  Visit the Kigali Genocide memorial – The display at the Kigali Memorial Centre instigates several genocides and genocidal-type situations.  It does not give instances of all genocidal massacres because of limited space but once you listen to the documentary , you will  just feel like you have seen what exactly happened in the era of ignorance  and cruelty in  Rwanda .   The Kigali Genocide memorial site only illustrate a few instances of a heartbreaking cross-section of a century of genocide. You will later transfer to Kinigi for dinner and overnight at

Budget -Kinigi Guest House/ Muhabura lodge

Standard -Gorilla Nest Lodge / Gorilla View Lodge  /La Palme Hotel/ Le Bambou Hotel

Luxury -Volcanoes  Lodge  / Sabinyo Silver Lodge

Day 2; Mountain Gorilla Trekking  Trek.

Take breakfast and  guide from AA SAFARIS AND TOURS will escort you to report at the ORTPN Offices for registration and formalities that are usually done before proceeding for your gorilla tracking trek.  Thereafter head to the starting point  of  Volcanoes National Park for an unforgettable experience of tracking the mountain gorillas.  Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda is done in the Volcanoes national Park which is among the Virunga Conservation Area.   This area is found  around the higher slopes of the dramatic Virunga volcanoes  which is made up of adjoining national parks which include   Mgahinga National Park and  Bwindi National Park in Uganda, Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in Rwanda  and Parc des Virungas  of Virunga National Park commonly called Djomba in the Democratic Republic of Congo. About 650 mountain gorillas make their home in these afro-montane forests. In Parc National des Volcans which is also known as Volcanoes National park on the Rwandan side, where Dian Fossey worked, there are five habituated gorilla families.  You will be allocated to track one of the families . The time  taken while  tracking gorillas is unpredictable because these apes are conversed from their natural habitats and their movements  vary with  the proximity of food in the forest . The further the food, the longer the trek because where the food is- is where the gorillas will be found. So you must be well prepared to move longer distances to search for the gorillas. A reasonable pair of  ankle level hiking boots and a rain coat is a requisite.

Return to the lodge or if gorilla tracking ends early , why not pay for an  excursion to the scenic, seemingly super imposed twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.  Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel on Full board basis.

Day 3; Mt Karisimbi Hike Rwanda-

You will assemble at the ORTPN Offices for registration, briefing and allocation of  Ranger Guides who will escort you to trek the Mt. Karisimbi .  Mountain Karisimbi  gets its name from a Rwandese  word that means  “white shell”, because it often  has white-capped summit. The Karisimbi is the fifth highest snowcapped mountain of Africa. The climb that must start early in the morning  takes 6 hours. You will ascend further more via the Bisoke side, before realization  of the first stopping place which is  at an altitude of 3.700 m for Dinner and overnight half way up of Mt. Karisimbi (Camping gear is required so you must come well equipped ). Sometimes you may  require a tent. Packed dinner for our stay on the mountain.

Day 4;  Karisimbi Descent

Wake up early and ascend to the very top of Mt. Karisimbi.  The trek  takes about 4 hours to reach the apex of this snow capped volcano. Wait for the astonishing panorama and charming foliage.  Descend  down the volcano  in  6 hours. Your AA SAFARIS AND TOURS  guides will be at the foothill  just ready to transfer  you to Kigali

Dinner and over night at ;

Budget – Hotel Chez Lando

Moderate Hotel Des Mille Collines/ Hotel Gorillas/ Hotel Umubano

Luxury – Kigali Serena Hotel .

Day 5; Kigali Safari Rwanda

After breakfast,  take an excursion  to tour  to some more few places and markets that you may have missed out on day one before you transfer to the Airport for your home-bound flight. End of Rwanda Safari