In this 5-Day Congo Safari and Mount Karisimbi Hike, you will visit the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in East Africa. These two neighboring countries share the large Virunga mountain range.
This will be a road trip crossing both countries. In Virunga National Park, one of the biggest parks in Africa, you will look for mountain gorillas.
Near Volcanoes National Park is Mount Karisimbi, where the hike will take place. The trip starts and ends in Kigali. You need to be physically fit to walk through mountains and forest paths. Expert guides who know the area well will lead you.
Detailed Tour
Day 1: Kigali City to Virunga National Park
You will meet your driver guide at the pickup point. While enjoying a cup of African coffee, you will get a briefing and have your travel documents checked.
Then the journey begins from Kigali city to Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kigali is one of the cleanest cities in Africa. You will reach the park in the late afternoon or evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park
Wake up early for breakfast, then go to the park offices for a pre-trek briefing with your packed lunch and other needs. Ranger guides will explain the rules, check documents, and give directions.
The briefing lasts about 30 minutes. The trek can take between one and eight hours depending on where the gorillas are. When you find the gorillas, you will spend one hour with them, taking pictures and learning about them from the guides.
You will track the gorillas on foot by following their last known location. Along the way, you may see monkeys, birds, and rare plants. After the trek, you will have lunch in the forest.
Later, return to the lodge to rest and drink water. If you have energy, you can choose an optional nature walk on marked paths. The day ends with dinner before bedtime.
Day 3: Virunga to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
After breakfast, check out of the lodge and drive to Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. You will stop for lunch on the way. When you arrive at your lodge, you will be welcomed and shown your room to rest before dinner.
Day 4: Hike Mount Karisimbi
After an early breakfast, leave the lodge and go to the hike starting point at Kinigi headquarters by 7:00 am. Mount Karisimbi is 4,507 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by Mount Bisoke, Nyiragongo, and Mikeno. In the dry season, its top is covered with snow, which is why it is called Karisimbi, a Kinyarwanda word meaning “white shell.”
Climbing and coming down the mountain takes two days. Today, you will hike up to around 3,700 meters (halfway to the top). Along the way, you may see birds, monkeys, and enjoy views of the nearby mountains.
The hike takes about seven hours, so being fit is important. When you reach the campsite, you will set up your tent, have dinner, and rest for the night. Lunch is provided during the hike.
Day 5: Descend Mount Karisimbi and Return to Kigali
Wake up early to see the sunrise. After taking photos and enjoying the views, continue hiking to the summit. From there, you will see wide views of the lakes and mountains around you.
When done, hike back down where your driver guide will be waiting to take you back to Kigali.
