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