This 12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari offers guests a spectacular hiking experience along Africa’s highest mountain peak, standing at 5,895m.
This exhilarating adventure allows you to explore different ranges of Mount Kilimanjaro and its breathtaking snow-peaked peaks.
After conquering this magnificent mountain, you will head into Rwanda for a personal encounter with the gentle giants – mountain gorillas that make this tiny, beautiful country celebrated.
Mountain gorillas are found in only three countries, and Rwanda is the most favored over Uganda and DR Congo.
You will meet these beautiful creatures in the famed Volcanoes National Park. Be ready to encounter one of the most incredible primates on this vast continent.
Detailed Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Kilimanjaro Hiking Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and pick up by your driver guide
Upon arrival in Tanzania, be met by your tour guide who will assist with your transfer to your lodge and throughout your safari.
Check-in at the lodge, rest, have a welcoming dinner, and await your Mount Kilimanjaro hiking adventure the next day. You will also receive a pre-adventure briefing on this day.
Day 2: Hiking from Machame gate (1800m) to Machame camp (3000m)
Rise early for tea or coffee along with a hearty breakfast in preparation for the day’s journey. Afterward, transfer from your lodge to Machame gate.
Here, you will meet the hiking guides, have a simple introduction, and receive a briefing about the upcoming activity. This is also where you can hire a porter to assist you on this challenging trek.
After registering in the record book, your hike begins. The trek from Machame gate to Machame camp usually lasts 4 to 5 hours with a picnic lunch along the way, providing an opportunity to rest and regain energy for the trek to the next camp. Please note, the duration may vary slightly based on experienced trekkers.
After lunch, continue trekking until late afternoon to reach Machame camp, where you will prepare for dinner and an overnight stay. At this elevated altitude, you will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro’s stunning scenery. Camp, have dinner, and rest for the night.
Day 3: Machame camp (3000m) to Shira camp (3800m)
After a delightful breakfast, embark on your journey towards Kilimanjaro’s peak. This leg of your trek will mostly traverse through the savannah forest with a mix of other vegetation types.
The trek to Shira camp also takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, with another scenic picnic lunch along this majestic mountain, offering splendid views of the park below and the harmonious melodies of resident bird songs.
As evening approaches, settle at Shira camp, enjoy a satisfying dinner, and prepare for the night.
Day 4: Shira camp (3800m) to Barranco camp (3950m)
As with the previous day, begin with an early breakfast and set off before the sun’s intensity peaks. This portion of your hike will progress more slowly due to navigating the somewhat challenging mid-glacier and sandy slopes.
Lunch is typically enjoyed in the afternoon, which usually takes 2 to 3 hours. Trek to Barranco and establish camp, relaxing while awaiting dinner and the activities of the following day.
Day 5: Barranco camp (3950m) to Barafu camp (4600m)
Awaken to breakfast in the brisk mountain air as you prepare to trek to Barafu camp. Barafu, meaning ‘ice’ in Kiswahili, reflects the cold conditions often experienced at these heights.
Heavy clothing is essential at higher altitudes, and the trek requires careful navigation of treacherous trails.
Enjoy a packed lunch en route, roughly 4 to 5 hours before reaching Barafu camp. This will be a welcome respite given the day’s activities and extreme conditions. Dinner and rest await in preparation for the final trek the next day.
Day 6: Barafu camp (4600m) – Uhuru peak (5895m) – Mweka camp (3100m)
Today, rise earlier than ever before to prepare for the final hike to Uhuru peak. Enjoy a quick breakfast and embark on this eagerly anticipated and most thrilling part of your trek.
This segment presents the toughest challenge, and achieving Stella Peak, reached in approximately 4 to 5 hours depending on your pace, determination, and experience, marks a significant milestone.
Persist through this endeavor to ultimately conquer the quest and stand on the snowy floor of Uhuru Peak. Celebrate with signatures, capture memorable photos as souvenirs of your expedition, then return to Barafu camp and descend further to Mweka camp.
Day 7: Mweka camp (3100m) to Mweka gate – Arusha
After a leisurely late breakfast, continue the final trek down to Mweka gate. Here, bid farewell to your porter and hiking guides before transferring to your lodge, arriving in the afternoon.
Relax and reflect on the adventure-filled days. Spend the remainder of your day at leisure, preparing for your transfer to Rwanda the following day.
Day 8: Transfer to Kigali Airport, Rwanda
On the eighth day, fly from Kilimanjaro to Rwanda. Consider a city tour of the vibrant city of Kigali.
Visit local markets to experience robust African markets, sample local cuisine, then retire to your lodge for dinner and relaxation after the city tour.
Day 9: Kigali to Kinigi – Volcanoes National Park
After a delicious breakfast, embark on another brief city tour to visit sites missed the previous day. Explore the renowned genocide memorial site of Gisozi, browse souvenir shops, and discover various historic sites like genocide churches, museums, and mosques.
Enjoy lunch in the city before heading to Ruhengeri and eventually Kinigi, the hotspot for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. This journey showcases the beautiful countryside of the ‘land of a thousand hills,’ with opportunities for brief stops to capture fun photos.
Day 10: Trekking the mountain gorillas
Enjoy an early breakfast followed by a transfer to the park headquarters at Kinigi. Here, receive a briefing on trekking protocols—such as maintaining a safe distance, avoiding littering, and minimizing noise—before being allocated a guide and group.
Immediately proceed to the trailhead for the jungle trek. Mountain gorilla trekking typically lasts 2 to 3 hours, depending on the animals’ location after their overnight rest.
Upon encountering the gorillas, savor a full hour in their presence before returning to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, explore the stunning Lake Kivu and Gisenyi. Return to your accommodation for a night of relaxation and a delightful dinner.
Day 11: Second Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Volcanoes National Park
After a satisfying breakfast, follow yesterday’s itinerary by heading to the park headquarters for a briefing on rules and regulations, group allocation, and then proceed to visit a different gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park.
Mountain gorillas are an exceptionally rare species, critically endangered, making the experience of encountering them face-to-face truly remarkable and unforgettable.
After tracking and locating your assigned group, spend the mandatory but awe-inspiring hour with them.
Return to the park headquarters for a mouthwatering lunch, and later embark on an expedition back to Kigali. En route, you may stop at Lakes Ruhondo and Burera if time permits.
Day 12: Departure from Kigali, End of Safari
After a leisurely breakfast, take some time to purchase souvenirs commemorating your 12-day African safari, stroll through the streets of Kigali, and interact with the locals known for their welcoming and peaceful culture.
In the afternoon or evening, board your flight back home, marking the end of your memorable 12-day safari in Tanzania and Rwanda.
End of 12 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari.
