This 3 days mount Karisimbi hike is an adventurous safari that starts and ends in Kigali city. The tour will take you to volcanoes national park in northwestern Rwanda. While in volcanoes national park you will take part in hiking mountain Karisimbi which is the highest mountain of all eight volcanoes in the Virunga conservation area. Karisimbi mountain is at an elevation of 4,507 meters above sea level. Hiking mountain Karisimbi is one of the breathtaking activities in volcanoes national park that reward you with great views of beautiful scenery, surrounding mountains, mammals, primates, bird species, and a crater lake at the summit.

3 days mount Karisimbi hike Safari highlights

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to volcanoes national park

Day 2: Climb mount Karisimbi

Day 3: Reach the summit of Karisimbi volcano and descend back to the starting point.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to volcanoes national park

On arrival at Kigali international airport, you will be welcomed by our English-speaking guide who will brief you about the entire safari and then start the journey to Kigali for a city tour. During the Kigali city tour, you will visit places like the Kigali genocide memorial site where bodies of 1994 Rwanda genocide victims were laid to rest, the Kimironko market which is the largest in Rwanda, the presidential palace, art galleries, and shopping malls. After the Kigali city tour, you will have an en-route lunch in one of the restaurants around Kigali and after which you will start your journey to volcanoes national park in northwestern Rwanda about 2 – 3 hours’ drive from Kigali. On your way to the park, you will have stunning views of the rolling hills, beautiful scenery, terraced farmlands, smiling local people among others. Upon arrival at the park, you will check into your booked lodge for evening relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel – luxury, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge – mid range, Garden Place Hotel – budget

Day 2: Climb mount Karisimbi

After morning breakfast on the second day of your safari, you will get your packed lunch and meet your driver-guide to transfer you to the park headquarters for a briefing about hiking. After the briefing, you will be given a guide to lead you in the process and you will be driven by your driver to the starting point. Here you’ll get hiking sticks and start hiking the mountain which is 4507 meters above sea level. Ascending mountain Karisimbi takes you about 6 hours passing through volcano edges, ridges, steep altitude, bamboo forest, calderas while coming across animals such as elephants, warthogs, forest hogs, monkeys, and different bird species. You will stop at an elevation of 3,700 meters for an overnight and dinner.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Cabin – mountain Karisimbi

Day 3: Reach the summit of Karisimbi volcano and descend back to the starting point.

On the third day of your safari you will have an early morning breakfast and then start climbing to the top of the mountain where you will be rewarded with beautiful views of Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira active volcanoes, forests, landscapes, surrounding areas, and other Virunga ranges. You can take photos and record videos after which start descending back to the beginning point which takes you about 3 to 4 hours and on arrival you will meet your driver guide ready to transfer you to the lodge for lunch.

Departure to Kigali, after having lunch you will check out of the hotel and meet your safari driver who will drive you to Kigali international airport or at your hotel to end your 3 days mount Karisimbi hike

Meal plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Tour includes

Karisimbi hiking permit

Kigali city tour

Park entrance fees

English speaking driver-guide

Accommodation

Transport

Drinking water

Tour excludes 

International tickets

Visas

Optional activities

Life

Personal expenses