10 Days Uganda Gorilla Trek & Kilimanjaro Hike is an adventurous Uganda-Tanzania safari allowing visitors to trek mountain gorillas from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as well as Hiking the breathtaking Mount Kilimanjaro.
For the hike to the summits of Mount Kilimanjaro, you will use one of the seven routes while for gorilla treks, you will spend time with one of the 20 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi. The 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Trek & Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari starts in Tanzania, goes through Kigali City to connect to Uganda then back to Kigali City.
Detailed Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Hotel Pick-up and transfer to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, then hike to Machame Camp
Your first day starts with an early morning pick-up from Moshi or Arusha town, then drive to Machame Gate at the base of Mount. Kilimanjaro. On arrival, be registered, meet the team of experienced hikers for this adventurous hike and also hire porters. Begin slowly ascending Africa’s tallest Mountain while transversing different vegetation types, primates and bird species.
After 5-6 hours of climbing, you will be at Machame Camp (about 3000 meters)-your first stop of this hike and this is where you will spend overnight and enjoy meals.
Day 2: Transfer from Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Another great day of hiking the breathtaking Mount Kilimanjaro and starts with breakfast at Machame Camp then proceed with the hike through the verdant rainforest to Shira Camp, your second stop of this hike.
For this camp, you will arrive in the afternoon to allow you have plenty of rest and prepare for a more hectic hike and be immersed in the phenomenal views of the glacier on Kibo cone from Shira Plateau.
Day 3: Hike to Barranco Camp
Begin your hike from Shira Camp after an amazing breakfast and transverse through the sandy part of the mountain as well as the semi-glaciers until you reach Barranco Camp. The hike is slower but most difficult part of this day’s hike is taking on the nerve-wracking Lave Lower at an elevation of 4640 meters. You should prepare for fast breathes from this point.
Just climb for another 700 meters from the Lava Tower until 4500 meters where you will pitch Camp at Barranco Camp for dinner and overnight stay. Experiences show that this is the most beautiful Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day 4: Continue with hike to Barafu Camp
You will begin feeling the real challenging hikes of Mount Kilimanjaro from this point, as you will be climbing the breathtaking Barranco wall, for traditional rock climbing adventures. After passing this test, continue towards the magical Karanga valley and break from the hike for Lunch. You will continue hiking for another 2-3 hours from Karanga Valley to get to Barafu Camp for dinner and overnight camping.
Day 5: Proceed to Mweka Camp then Uhuru Peak
Be up by midnight to start the hike in total darkness and this takes 5-7 hours to get to Stella point before the sunrises. You will need to start hiking intensely from this point for another 2 hours to reach the breathtaking Uhuru Peak. This is the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro towering at 5,895 meters above sea level and rewards hikers with the best views on earth. Begin descending towards Barafu Camp for hefty Lunch and continue to Mweka Camp for overnight camping and dinner.
Day 6: Descend to Mweka Camp then Mweka Gate and drive to Arusha
Breakfast and begin descending until Mweka Gate where you will be awarded your certificate of completion, tip the hikers and porters in addition to interacting with porters and hikers to share experiences from the hike. Hop into your safari vehicle for a drive back to Arusha or Moshi (Kilimanjaro) for relaxation, overnight stay and dinner.
Day 7: Flight to Kigali International Airport and check-in at a Hotel in Kigali City
Take a flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport to Kigali International Airport, be transferred to a Hotel for Lunch. In the afternoon undertake a City excursion and in the evening return to the Hotel of dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Cross-over to Uganda and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Breakfast at the Hotel and drive to the Cyanika or Katuna border points for immigration clearances, then transfer to the northern or southern sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
This Park is about 4-5 hours’ drive from the City and on arrival straightaway check-in at the booked Lodge for Lunch, relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9: Trekking the Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Have breakfast and be driven to the Park Offices for registration and briefing on the mountain gorilla treks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After this briefing, join other trekkers, armed ranger guides for the walk through the forest to search for the allocated gorilla group.
Have one hour with them and get back to the trailhead for your trekking certificate. The whole trekking process (including the one hour in the presence of gorillas) lasts 2-7 hours and later return to the Lodge for late Lunch. In time permits, you will get a chance to experience the culture of Bakiga and Batwa people living around the borders of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 10: Drive back to Kigali City. Departure
Be up early for breakfast and leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Kigali City. Border crossing at Katuna or Cyanika border points and drop-off at any location of our choice (Hotel or Airport. This marks the end of your 10 days Uganda Gorilla Trek & Kilimanjaro Hike.
End of 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Trek & Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari.
