This 5 Day Rwanda Safari grants you opportunities to visit Volcanoes National Park for Mountain gorillas and Karisimbi Hike. This is usually ranked to be one of the most adventurous trips taken while in Rwanda.
Mountain Karisimbi is the highest of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains as recorded, rising to 4.507 m, is a huge dome, now dormant, which dominates the range more in girth than in height as compared.
Karisimbi hike is not a one day excursion but rather takes two days and you have to book the trek at least two weeks before the actual hiking dates.
Day 1: Arrival – Volcanoes National Park
Upon arrival at the Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed and picked from airport by our tour guide who will later transfer you to Volcanoes National park.
This amazing journey from Kigali to the park takes about 2-3 hours of driving depending on speed used, traffic on the way and included stop overs. On reaching the park, check in at your lodge of choice for Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla trekking
After breakfast in the morning, our guide will pick you and drive to the park offices where briefing is conducted by park officials before journey start. After the briefing and getting assigned to a particular gorilla group you are to trek, begin the trekking journey in search of mountain Gorillas within the forest.
The trek can be quite tough that normally it takes a lot of time approximately 2-8 hours of hiking depending on where these apes spent their last night. After locating these apes you are allowed to stay in their presence for only one hour.
After the trekking, if time allows, you can do the Iby’wacu cultural experience visiting the Batwa people for interaction and other activities. Dinner and Overnight at the lodge.
Day 3 and 4: Hike Mountain Karisimbi
After breakfast in the morning, you will go for the 2 day volcano hiking excursion on Karisimbi which refers to its often white-capped summit; the hiking journey is associated with en route game viewing.
Dinner and overnight camping at an altitude of 3,800 m. Then second day after the overnight stay at the summit descend back and, return for dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 5: Kigali City Tour – Departure
After heavy breakfast in the morning you will drive to Kigali with our guide for a city tour visiting the Kigali genocide memorial, cultural sites and local markets.
After the city tour, you will have lunch and transfer to the airport for your departure flight back home or check in at your booked hotel of residence for overnight stay. End of the five day Rwanda Safari vacation.
Package includes:
- Airport Pick up
- Gorilla permit
- Karisimbi hike
- Ground transport
- Accommodation & Meal
- Mineral water
- Driver guide
It excludes:
- Laundry
- Expensive drinks
- Tipping fees
- Flight tickets
- Visas
Day 1: Kampala – Transfer to Bwindi
Early in the morning after breakfast, check out at the hotel and meet our driver guide. The journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park starts via Kampala – Masaka – Mbarara highway including en route stopover at the equator for some information about it, photos, cup of coffee and snacks.
The journey continues for another stopover in Mbarara town to have lunch. After lunch, continue to Bwindi where you will arrive in the evening. Check in at the lodge and accommodation options to stay include:
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp/ Buhoma Community
Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp/ Silver back lodge
Luxury: Mahogany springs/ Buhoma lodge
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Early in the morning, transfer to the Park offices for the short briefing conducted by the available officials to highlight trekkers on how to behave while in the jungle. After briefing, the journey to the jungle starts in a group following the permanently established routes searching for these apes.
Only one hour is allowed to stay in the presence of these apes after discovering their location. The one hour session includes sighting of these apes while feeding, laughing, playing plus taking photos and videos of them.
After the close encounter with these apes in the jungle return to the park offices for certificate award and then see your way to the lodge for relaxation.
Later in the evening you will do a community walk visiting the Batwa people in their local communities for different experiences including cultural performances, way of living and more.
Day 3: Bwindi – Transfer to Queen – Afternoon Boat Cruise.
After morning breakfast, check out and start the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the southern Ishasha sector route. Chance are high that you will sight the famous tree climbing lions resting up in the fig tree branches on your way.
Continue with the journey straight to Mweya canteen for lunch as you get prepared for the afternoon launch trip cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
Launch trip cruise along Kazinga Channel offers several panoramic views of areas around and aquatic species like Hippos, crocodiles, water bird species and wild animals which come closer to the banks in need of water.
After boat cruise, check in at the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options to stay include:
Budget: Bush Lodge/ Mweya Hostel/ Simba Safari Camp
Mid-range: Simba Safari Lodge/ Katara Lodge.
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Kyambura game lodge/ Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
Day 4: Game Drive in Kasenyi Plains – Transfer to Kampala
Have your delicious morning breakfast, Check out at the lodge and meet our driver for the morning game drive through the Kasenyi plains to catch the early risers like Kobs, Elephants, Buffaloes, spotted hyenas, reed bucks, different bird species and more.
After 2-3 hours game drive, the stirring journey back to Kampala starts accompanied with stunning views of areas around, rolling hills and terraces. En route stopover is included in Mbarara for lunch and after continue up to Kampala.
Our driver will drop you at the airport for your return flight or Hotel of residence if you are to stay for the night. End of four day amazing Safari in Uganda.
Package includes:
- Gorilla Permit
- Batwa Cultural entertainment
- Park Ranger Fees
- Full Board Accommodation
- Full time English speaking Driver
- Ground Transportation
- Airport Pick & Drop.
Excludes:
- Airfares
- Visa Fees
- Personal Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature like luxury drinks, tips, laundry, cigarettes.
