3 Days Mount Karisimbi Hiking safari tour

3 Days Mount Karisimbi hiking safari tour is a short but very fascinating adventure mostly for those who wish to experience a hike to summit the top of Mount Karisimbi and descend back. This 3 days Mount Karisimbi hiking safari tour is conducted in Rwanda thus it starts and ends in Rwanda.

Mount Karisimbi is one of the most hiked volcanoes in the Virunga Massif, where 8 volcanoes exist, including Mount Nyiragongo, the most active volcano; Mount Gahinga; Mount Mikeno; Mount Muhavura; Mount Sabyinyo; Mount Bisoke; and Mount Nyamulagira.

These volcanoes are shared among 3 countries: Uganda in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda in Volcanoes national park and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Virunga National Park. Being a tall mountain, Mount Karisimbi is difficult to summit in one day; thus, hikers have to camp at 3700 m above sea level for an overnight and proceed with the hike the next day, then descend back on that same day. This 3 days Mount Karisimbi hiking safari tour starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda.

Highlights of 3 days Mount Karisimbi Hiking safari tour

  • Day 1: Kigali pick up and transfer to Volcanoes national park 
  • Day 2: Hike Mount Karisimbi (Ascend) up to 3700m
  • Day 3: Ascend from 3700M to the summit and descend back 

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to volcanoes national park

Kigali pickup and transfer to Volcanoes National Park: On day 1 of the 3 days Mount Karisimbi Hiking Safari tour, be ready to be picked up from your hotel in Kigali Rwanda or from Kigali International Airport upon landing and set off on a Kigali city tour, exploring some of the most visited places, such as genocide memorial sites, Kimironko market and many more.

After the city tour, your lunch will be served, then exit Kigali for Volcanoes National Park with a stopover at the park headquarters to obtain your Mount Karisimbi hiking permit, then proceed to the park, arriving in the evening for a lodge check-in, dinner and overnight sleep.

There is an option to visit Ibyiwacu cultural villa or to have a guided walk to the twin lakes of Burela and Ruhondo, only if time allows.

Meal plan: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Hike Mount Karisimbi (Ascend) up to 3700m

Hike Mount Karisimbi (ascend) to 3700 m: After an early breakfast on day 2 of 3 days of the Mount Karisimbi hiking safari tour, check out of the lodge with all the requirements that you need during the hike, including a sleeping bag, garden gloves, warm attire, a rain jacket, a cap, insect repellent, hiking boots, sun glasses and all other equipment that you feel is necessary while you hike. After that, meet your Rwanda safari driver for a transfer to the park headquarters, where a briefing for the Karisimbi hike is conducted.

During the briefing, you will be able to learn all about Mount Karisimbi, the possible wildlife to expect along the way, the dos and don’ts, and much more. Then, hire a porter and set off on the walk to start the real hike. You will walk through the forests and plantations at the base of the mountain, with the possibility of spotting various wildlife species, including primates, mammals, birds, and many more, that thrill along the trail.

During the hike, you will also be rewarded with a view of the Karisoke Research Centre that was put in place between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke by Dian Fossey, a primatologist who was unfortunately murdered by poachers.

Along the hike, you will have a stopover to enjoy your picnic-packed lunch and proceed with ascension up to 3700 m, where you will spend your overnight, ready to summit the top of Karisimbi the next morning.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Ascend from 3700M to the summit and descend back for departures

Ascend from 3700m to the summit and descend back for departures: On 3 of 3 days of the Mount Karisimbi hiking safari tour, rise to an elevation of 3700 m above sea level, have breakfast served and proceed with your hike with an opportunity of summiting the top of Mount Karisimbi in the morning to avoid the hot, scorching sun. Upon arrival at the summit, you will be rewarded with the major attraction situated at the top of this volcano and it’s none other than a caldera.

Spend some time viewing the caldera as well as the surrounding attractions, including the neighboring volcanoes, like Bisoke and also have a view of Volcanoes National Park at a glance. After fully exploring the top of Mount Karisimbi, be ready to start descending back to meet your Rwanda safari driver for a transfer back to Kigali with an en route lunch.

Once you get back to Kigali, you may choose to be dropped off at an early communicated hotel of your choice or else be driven to Kigali International Airport for an evening or night flight to your next destination or back home as you end your 3 days adventure in Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills.

Note: In case you missed out on the Kigali city tour on day 1 of the trip, then ensure that you spare some time for it on the last day, as it also complements your Karisimbi hike.

Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch 

END OF 3 DAYS MOUNT KARISIMBI HIKING SAFARI TOUR 

Inclusive in 3 days Mount Karisimbi Hiking safari tour

  • Mount Karisimbi hiking permit
  • Kigali pick-up and drop off
  • A 4×4 safari van/land cruiser 
  • An English/French-speaking safari driver 
  • Ranger fees
  • Enough bottled drinking water
  • All Meals as stated in the itinerary
  • Accommodation as stated in the itinerary for 2 nights

Exclusive in 3 days Mount Karisimbi Hiking safari tour

  • International travel visa and flight air ticket
  • Porter fees
  • Optional and additional activities
  • Accommodations before and after the safari
  • Tips to the porter, ranger and guide
  • Souvenirs
  • Laundry fees
  • Life insurance
  • Other drinks such as alcohol and juices
  • Other personal expenses such as Emails airtime, cigars, beer, and many more.
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