Join this 10 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Kilimanjaro Safari to discover the small land of a thousand hills and the true wilderness of Tanzania. The safari entails hiking to the summit of the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest volcano in Africa.
More so, visit and trek the endangered mountain gorillas of Rwanda in Volcanoes National park for a greater and memorable primate trekking experience. The 10 Days Rwanda gorillas and Kilimanjaro is an adventurous experience you ought to enjoy. This safari starts in Arusha Tanzania ending in Kigali, Rwanda.
10 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Kilimanjaro Safari itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & transfer to Machame Camp
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet and greet your professional driver guide representing our company. You will have a brief guide through your itinerary arrangements and thereafter transfer to Mechame Camp at the base of Mount. Kilimanjaro.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Today is the start of the hiking Adventure! Wake up very early, have a spacious heavy breakfast and transfer to Machame gate for registration and the briefing on the safety guidelines of Kilimanjaro hiking. You will then start off a hike to Shira Camp located at 12,500ft above the sea level.
This hike takes between 4-6 hours through the rain forest across small ridges in the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Endeavor to have your hiking gears since this hike is usually slippery and hectic.
Day 3: Shira Camp –Lava Tower-Barancco Camp
Wake up very early, have breakfast and get ready for yet another adventurous hike. Today you will hike from Shira Camp via Lava tower to Barancco camp located at 13,000ft above the sea level.
The hike takes between 6-8 hours hiking in the semi desert part of Mount. Kilimanjaro. You will trek via the Shira plateau across the Kibo peak connecting to the Lava tower in the southern part of the mountain. Enjoy the scenic views at this point. From there, cross a junction descending to Barancco camp at 13,000ft.
Day 4: Barancco to Karanga Camp
Today is for acclimatization! You will have a delicious breakfast, and start off a hike from Barancco camp at 13,000ft to Karanga Camp at 13,100ft above the sea level. The hike takes between 4-5 hours via the alpine desert which gives you scenic views of beautiful Tanzania from this alpine region. You will cross a steep bridge to Karanga Camp
Day 5: Karanga to Barafu Camp
Have an early morning breakfast and start up another busy day. Today you are hiking from 13,100ft to 13,500ft above sea level. The hike is still in the semi desert across Mweka trail to Barafu Camp where you have great views of Mawanza and Kibo peaks. The hike takes between 4-5 hours.
Day 6: Barafu Camp-to the summit to the Mweka Hut
Today’s hike starts very early at 2:00am! You will need torches for light and warm jackets since it will still be night and dark. Setoff from Barafu camp and hike up towards the summit of the iconic mountain. Trek via the Stella point is the most challenging adventure from 13,500ft to 18,600 meters above the sea level.
Enjoy a sunrise breakfast at Stella point as you enjoy scenic views of Tanzania’s attractions from above. From there, proceed with a hike to Uhuru peak, the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro. The summit is located between Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. Have a great time at the snowcapped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, take pictures and have fun. In the evening, descend to Barafu camp for refreshment and them to Mweka camp for an overnight.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mosh
Enjoy your morning sleep, wakeup to have a cup of hot coffee and start off a hike down from Mweka Camp to Mosh. Descend from 10,000ft to 5,400ft via the rainforest towards the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will find your driver camp at Mosh camp who will them transfer you to Arusha
Day 8: Arusha to Kigali (Volcanoes National park)
Today you enjoy your morning sleep, wakeup at your pace and enjoy a relaxed breakfast and lunch at your hotel in Arusha. You can even have a shirt city tour through Arusha city to meet and interact with local people of Tanzania.
After lunch, transfer to Arusha airport for your connecting flight to Kigali Rwanda. After reaching Kigali, embark on a 3 hours’ drive northwestwards to Volcanoes National park home to the endangered mountain gorillas.
Day 9: Mountain gorilla trekking.
Wow, the great day of visiting and spending time with the mighty mountain gorillas. Wakeup very early, have breakfast and with your packed lunch transfer to Kinigi Park headquarters for briefing and registration on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. The hike to see these endangered species starts at 8:00am. Volcanoes National park is home to over 400 mountain gorillas which have ben habituated into 10 gorilla families. The park shelters the highest number of gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area.
The trek to meet gorillas may take between 2-7 hours depending on the location of your allocated gorilla family. Spend an hour in the company of the gorillas, take pictures, capture videos, and see how adult females nurse babies like human mothers while the silverback gorilla guards the family like a human dad in a home. In the evening if time allows, you may visit the local communities near the park to learn Rwanda’s traditions, norms and customs.
Day 10: Kigali city tour & Departure
Have a relaxed morning, enjoy your last moments of the safari and get ready for your return flight. Depending on your departure time, you may have a city tour through Kigali to enjoy the ambiance and calmness of this small city.
Visit a few tourist destinations in Kigali such as the Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali Genocide memorial center and the local markets among others. Drive to the airport for your connecting flight. This will mark the end of your 10 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Kilimanjaro Safari.
End of the safari
