With the 12 Days Gorilla Trekking & Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour, you have the rare chance of hiking Africa’s tallest Mountain and as the World’s highest free-standing Mountain (Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania) through one of its established climbing routes, life-changing gorilla trekking experience in Uganda and Rwanda.
This 12 Days Gorillas & Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour kicks-off from Tanzania and winds up from Uganda or Rwanda
Detailed Gorilla Trekking & Kilimanjaro Climbing Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania
Arrive through Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet and greet our Company representative at the same time your safari driver at the Airport. Be transferred to Arusha Town or Moshi (Capital of Kilimanjaro) for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Drive from Moshi or Arusha Town to Machame Gate for the hike to Machame Camp (at 3000 meters)
In the morning at 07h00, pick-up from your place of residence and drive to Machame gate where you will be introduced to your hiking crew, porters and other hikers.
Registration is done prior to starting the hike and thereafter begin the climb with your packed Lunch and drinking water, through the forest.
The hike lasts 4-5 hours and you will arrive Machame Camp in the afternoon for dinner and overnight Camping.
Day 3: Hike from Machame Camp to Shira Camp (at 3800 meters)
Breakfast then begin the hike to Shira Camp (at 3800 meters) through the short Savannah rain-forest and other vegetation types for 4-5 hours. Picnic Lunch en-route and be at Shira Camp in the afternoon to get enough rest, dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Climb from Shira Camp to Barranco Camp at 3950 meters above sea level
Prepare for the most challenging day of the Mount Kilimanjaro hike because you will have to hike the daunting Lava Tower thus start the hike slowly through semi-glacier as well as sandy areas.
Hike for 3-4 hours and be at Barranco Camp in the afternoon for refreshment, dinner and overnight in your tent.
Day 5: Hike from Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp (at 4500 meters above sea level)
A hot cup of tea/coffee to warm your body and left your spirit for the challenging hike to Barafu camp, another challenging day.
Climb through the Barranco wall and continue towards Karanga Valley where you will take a break to enjoy your picnic Lunch. Continue until Barafu Camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Hike from Barafu to Uhuru Peak then descend to Mweka Camp
This is the best day of your Mount Kilimanjaro Hike because you will reach its highest peak on this day. Wake-up call by midnight and prepare for the hike that begins at 01h00. Hike in total darkness with your headlight for 5-6 hours to get to Stella Point.
The challenge gets tougher but to achieve the ultimate goal, you will have to hike intensely for an additional 2 hours to reach Uhuru peak.
Make merry, shout at the top of your voice for emerging victorious after this challenging hike. Put your signature at the peak, have lunch and relaxing at Barafu Camp and descend back to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Descent from Mweka Camp to Mweka gate, then transfer to Arusha or Moshi Town
Camp breakfast and begin your descent to Mweka gate. Willingly tip your hiking crew and porters to appreciate their tremendous efforts towards making the hike memorable, learn about their experiences and connect to a Hotel in Moshi or Arusha Town for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Flight from Kilimanjaro to Kigali International Airport
On this day you will take a flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Kigali International Airport. Your safari guide for the Uganda-Rwanda tour will be waiting to drive you from the Airport to your Hotel in Kigali City.
Day 9: Drive from the beautiful City of Kigali to Ruhengeri Province
Breakfast and embark on a City excursion to explore the craft markets/souvenirs shops, City Center, Kigali Genocide Memorial center, Presidential Palace and Kimironko Local Markets, However, exploring all these places depends on the time spent at each tourist site.
Lunch at one of the best City restaurants and drive to Ruhengeri, home to Volcanoes National Park. This 2-3 hours’ journey transverses through the jaw-dropping hilly countryside and ushers you to your Lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: First Mountain Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park and cross-over to Uganda
Early morning breakfast at the Lodge is followed by a drive to Kinigi Park Headquarters for registration, briefing, gorilla group allocation and later meet-up with your assigned Ranger Guide.
These pre-tracking rituals are followed by 20-30 minutes’ drive to the different trailheads where the actual gorilla treks begin.
Total time spent during the entire gorilla trekking process is unpredictable but may take 2-6 hours. Observation and Photography of these Great Apes munching bamboo shoots, nursing babies, grooming, playing and exhibiting several human-like behavior takes only one hour but is worthwhile.
Later descend back to your Lodge for Lunch and later embark on a transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This involves crossing the Katuna or Cyanika border points for immigration clearances and arrival is in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: Second Mountain Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Another memorable gorilla trekking experience, although more challenging than the previous day. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a more rugged terrain, thicker vegetation and steeper slopes than the previous gorilla trekking destination, thus be prepared to take on this challenge.
Briefing, registration, group allocation and the trekking process here is done within any of the four gorilla trekking regions/sectors. Return to the Lodge after one hour with the mountain gorillas for Lunch.
You will be treated to a Lunch buffet then rest for the entire evening or head for a guided community walk which you will not regret undertaking. Spend your evening interacting with locals to learn about their unique way of life and cultures then get back to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Drive back to Entebbe International Airport or Kigali City
After breakfast, start your transfer trip to Kigali International Airport taking 3-4 hours or to Entebbe International Airport taking 8-9 hours but with boundless beautiful scenery and en-route stopovers. This marks the end of the 12 days Hiking Kilimanjaro, Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking tour.
End of 12 Days Gorillas & Kilimanjaro Trekking Tour.
