2 Days Mount Karisimbi Hike
2 Days Mount Karisimbi Hike: Are you a nature lover with an enthusiastic need to hike mountains? Then look no further! At Explore Rwanda Tours, we renowned experts at offering the best mountain climbing safari experiences in the East African Region. This 2 Days Mount Karisimbi Hike is specifically tailored for tourists looking to explore some of the dormant volcanic mountains in the Republic of Rwanda. Mount Karisimbi is one of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Volcano Massif, and it is strategically situated on the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This 2 Days Mount Karisimbi Hike can be done by any adult traveler and does not require one to have any experience in hiking mountains. You can also combine this 2 days Mount Karisimbi hike with other interesting activities such as gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, or Dian Fossey hike. Do let us know in advance if you wish to have any of these activities included in this itinerary.
Highlight of the 2 Days Mount Karisimbi Hike.
- Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
- Day 2: Reach the summit, descend and return to Kigali.
Detailed Itinerary for 2 Days Mount Karisimbi Hike.
Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
Pickup and Transfer to Volcanoes: Depending on your location in Kigali, you will be met by your tour guide/driver as early as 5 am in the morning. You will then set off for Volcanoes National Park, which is located in Ruhengeri, in the northeastern part of Rwanda. The national park is located about 106 kilometers from Kigali city, which is about a 2⅟₂ hours’ drive to the park. Upon your arrival in the park, you will be welcomed by the head ranger at the park and later briefed prior to your hiking activity. You will be assigned a park guide/ranger and you can also hire the services of a porter, who will carry your luggage at for a fee.
Hiking activities in the park commence as early as 8am in the morning, so you will be required to report to the park by 7am. It is therefore recommended that you keep time on this day.
It takes a maximum of 2 days to ascend and descend Mount Karisimbi. The hike involves a lot of strenuous hiking expeditions and will require you to be both physically and mentally fit for the challenge.
As you hike Mountain Karisimbi in Rwanda, you will have the opportunity to view the spectacular wildlife and surrounding landscape Volcanoes national park. You will get to spot amazing birds species such as the Rwenzori Turaco, Archer’s ground robin, the Cllored Apalis and the Rwenzori batis to mention but a few. You will also get a chance to spot primate species like vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys; and if you are lucky, you might also sight some mountain gorillas during your hike. This hiking expedition will take about 6 hours before you reach your camp site where you will have dinner and spend your night on the mountain.
Day 2: Reach the summit, descend and return to Kigali.
Hike Summit and Descend: Wake to the beautiful sounds of birds whistling in the trees. Have your breakfast and embark on your hike to the summit of Mount Karisimbi. Once you reach the mountain’s summit, you can take some pictures as proof of your hiking adventure on the Karisimbi Mountain. You will then proceed to descend the mountain, and reunite with your guide who will be awaiting your return at the park’s headquarters in Kinigi.
Transfer back to Kigali: After receiving your mountain climbing certificate, have lunch and later your guide will then transfer you back to Kigali city. You can have your guide drop you off at a hotel of your choice in Kigali, or at Kigali International Airport where you will board your next flight back home. If you still have time to spare on your travel schedule, you can have your guide take you on a short tour of Kigali city where you can visit interesting sites like; Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, Camp Kigali, Caplaki craft village, Kimironko market among others. Please note that this activity is optional and comes at an extra cost, should you choose to incorporate it into your travel itinerary. End of Tour.
