Our 4 days Uganda Gorilla trekking and Mount Karisimbi hike safari is designed for visitors who wish to track gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda) and then Hike Mount Karisimbi in Rwanda. The sudden increase in the price for a gorilla permit in Rwanda from $750 to $1500 has an impact on the number of visitors to Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park. Looking to cut traveling costs, many visitors now prefer the more affordable permits in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This 4-day package is designed for travelers who might find Rwanda’s permits beyond their budget but still wish to do gorilla trekking and hiking Mount Karisimbi.
Mount Karisimbi is a dormant volcano found in the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Mount Karisimbi is 4,507 meters tall and hence the highest of all the 8 Virunga ranges of mountains. Mount Karisimbi is flanked by Nyiragongo to the west, Bisoke to the East and Mikeno to the north. During the dry seasons of December to March and also June to August snow can be spotted on top of the Volcano.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in the southwestern part of Uganda and close to the border with Rwanda. It is a UNESCO World Heritage and contain about half of the overall population of mountain gorillas in the world. Bwindi is also home to chimpanzees, smaller primates, birds and forest mammals. The key activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are gorilla trekking, birdwatching and visiting the Batwa pygmies. Bwindi has about 50 gorilla groups but only 17 are habituated. Bwindi is special because it is the only park where one can take part in the gorilla habituation experience. A gorilla permit in Bwindi (Uganda) costs $700 while the gorilla habituation experience goes for $1500.
The 4 days Uganda gorilla trekking and Karisimbi hiking package includes a tour of the city of Kigali and visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village. In case you are interested in doing both activities in Rwanda, then you need to check out the 4 days Rwanda gorilla trekking and Karisimbi hike package. If you are only interested in hiking Karisimbi, then you could choose the 3 days Karisimbi hike package. The 3 days Rwanda gorilla tour package is designed for travelers who are only interested in gorilla trekking. If you want to do only gorilla trekking in Uganda, then check out our 3 days Uganda gorilla tour package.
Tour Highlights
This tour requires that the traveler has a considerable level of fitness to comfortably complete both the Mount Karisimbi Hike and Gorilla trekking. The two activities will test your endurance and overall fitness. The main tour highlights are: –
- Kigali City tour
- Visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village
- Hiking Mount Karisimbi
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest Uganda
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali City tour – Transfer to the Volcanoes National park – Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village
Wake up early and take breakfast. Our company Guide/driver will be waiting for you at the hotel lobby or airport in case you are arriving by flight. The Guide will brief you and share details about the 4 days’ trip before taking you for a tour of the city of Kigali. The city tour will allow you witness the transformation that has taken place in Rwanda since the horrific genocide in 1994. Kigali is organized, clean and developing at a fast rate. You will also visit one of the genocide war memorial sites and the presidential palace museum before going out shopping for souvenirs. You will have lunch at Hotel Rwanda in Kigali before starting the three-hour journey to the Volcanoes National Park. While on the road to the park, lookout for Rwanda’s amazing countryside with rolling hills, green tea plantations and smiling locals.
Once you reach your hotel, the driver will give you some time to rest, shower and relax before taking you to visit the nearby Gorilla Guardians Village. Formerly known as the Iby’iwacu Cultural village, it started as a small center where former poachers could sell artisan products to tourists. It has now been revamped to become one of the leading cultural centers in East Africa. While at the Centre, you will watch traditional dance performances or visit one of the traditional huts. You may be requested to dress up in traditional regalia while holding a spear for beautiful photos.
You will have dinner and sleep at either Virunga Lodge (Luxury), the Da Vinci lodge (Midrange) or Kinigi Guest House (Budget).
Day 2: Mount Karisimbi Hiking
Wake up to sumptuous breakfast and wait for the driver to take you to the park headquarters in Kinigi for registration at around 9am. While at the park headquarters, you will undergo briefing about what to 
expect and build endurance for the 2-day hike. You will be assigned Guides and Rangers along with other hikers before being taken to the starting point of the Hike. Remember that you will also be moving with a team of porters to help with setting camp and cooking dinner. Hiking Mount Karisimbi starts at 10am. We will provide the walking stick, packed lunch, drinking water, hiking and camping gear. A camp will be set before reaching the summit where you will have dinner before resting for the night in a tent. We will also take care of the porters and chef to cook for you while up in the mountain.
Day 3: Reach the summit and descend down the volcano – transfer to Bwindi
You will be woken up by singing birds to take early morning breakfast and then continue the climb to the summit of mount Karisimbi. Your persistence will be rewarded by stunning landscape and vegetation. 
You will be able to see the Volcanoes National Park with lush green forest and get clear view of 7 of the Virunga volcanoes including Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Other key important landmarks include Virunga National Park, Rwenzori National Park, Bwindi National Park, Mgahinga National Park. After these amazing sights, it’s time to descend down. Once you reach the starting point, our Guide will take you for lunch and rest before embarking on the one-hour journey to one of Uganda’s top tourist destinations – Bwindi impenetrable forest.
Dinner and Overnight at Mahogany Springs Lodge (Luxury), Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) and Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget).
Day 4: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Kigali for departure
Wake up very early to great breakfast and ensure that you have packed lunch arranged by the lodge. Our Guide will take you to the park offices for registration and briefing. There are 11 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi forest park. You will be assigned a gorilla family depending on your overall fitness and 
preference. Mountain Gorilla tracking takes anywhere between 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorilla family and their location that day. If you wish to hire a porter to help with extra luggage, request for one at a fee of about $15. Mountain gorilla tracking is the ultimate wildlife experience. You cannot compare it with a normal safari. You will be observing creatures that resemble and behave like we humans the most Once you meet these amazing creatures, take as many photos as you can. Follow the instructions of the wardens and guides. You will only be allowed one hour with the gorillas. Remember that security and safety while with mountain gorillas or at Bwindi impenetrable forest is guaranteed. After observing the primates for one hour, head back to the lodge for checkout and travel back to Kigali. The driver will drop you at a hotel in Kigali or at the airport if you have a late flight.
End of Tour
Tour Inclusions and Exclusions
The tour includes:
- Gorilla permit for Bwindi forest in Uganda
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle with fuel for 4 days
- Accommodation for 3 days and as specified in the itinerary
- Lunch and bottled drinking water for 4 days
- An experienced English speaking Tour Driver/Guide
- Any park entry fees
- Karisimbi hiking fees
- The Karisimbi package which includes porters, a chef, tents and meals while on top of the mountain
- Park Ranger and guiding fees
The tour cost will exclude personal expenses such as beverages, crafts, cigars, souvenirs and tips.
Hotels and Lodges
Virunga Lodge: Virunga Lodge is a luxury lodge found close to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. It is one of the best luxury lodges in area. Apart from the quality of services, what sets it apart is the location. The lodge overlooks the scenic twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo but also offers jaw-dropping views of the Virunga ranges or mountains. Virunga Lodge is made up of 8 spacious stone rooms. Each room is self-contained and has a verandah, a shower, Eco-toilets and warm water among several other luxury services. Other amenities include magical gardens and central restaurant where all guests gather to eat and socialize. Late in the evening, guests are entertained by traditional dance performances.
Mahogany Springs Safari Lodge: This luxury lodge is found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The lodge gets its name from the mahogany trees found in its gardens – some as old as 400 years. Mahogany Springs offers high-end rooms with single, twin, double or triple beds. Each room is uniquely designed and offers stunning views of the forest. There is one presidential Suite for those who yearn for the ultimate luxury. The presidential suite has two bedrooms, a private bathroom and a verandah overlooking a river. I shouldn’t forget to mention that there is a special honeymoon suite too. Other amenities include a dining area, a bar, a central lounge and a terrace with amazing views of the park.
Buhoma Community Rest Camp: This is one of the most affordable lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Camp offers 6 safari tents and 3 cottages that are self-contained. The lodge even 
offers a dormitory with 6 beds and several campsites for backpackers. For the self-contained rooms, guests can choose to stay in doubles, twins or single beds. The food is prepared by local chefs using fresh products got from nearby gardens. The lodge prepares packed food for guests going out for gorilla trekking consisting of sandwich (cheese, eggs, peanut butter/jelly and tomatoes), fruits, a juice box, biscuit and boiled eggs. Other amenities in the camp include a gift shop, laundry services, massage services, parking space, books/games, walking sticks for rent and a bar.
