Enjoy this 2 Days Affordable Mount Karisimbi Hiking Safari that includes ascending and descending Mount Karisimbi, the highest of all eight volcanoes in the Virunga Massif located in the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) in East-Central Africa.
On this Rwanda hiking safari, you will trek Mount Karisimbi Volcano inside Volcanoes National Park, found in the Ruhengeri region in northwestern Rwanda.
Mount Karisimbi is an inactive volcano with an altitude of 4,507 meters. It is surrounded by Mount Bisoke, Mount Nyiragongo, and Mount Mikeno. This Karisimbi hiking trip starts and ends in Kigali, which is about a 2–3-hour drive from the park.
2-Day Mount Karisimbi Climbing Tour Highlights
- Enjoy a 2-day hiking adventure to Mount Karisimbi, Rwanda’s highest volcano at 4,507 meters
- Begin and end your safari in Kigali with an easy 2–3-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park
- Experience a full-day hike through forested slopes with views of the Virunga volcano ranges
- Camp overnight on the mountain at about 3,700 meters above sea level
- Spot birds, monkeys, and other wildlife along the Karisimbi hiking trail
- Reach the summit of Mount Karisimbi for clear panoramic views of surrounding volcanoes
- Take an optional Kigali city tour to visit the Genocide Memorial before departure
- Enjoy guided hikes, transportation, meals, and camping arrangements included in the tour
Brief 2-Day Mount Karisimbi Climbing Tour Itinerary
- Day 1: Kigali to Karisimbi – Begin the First Hike to Karisimbi Volcano
- Day 2: Descend from Karisimbi and Departure
Detailed 2-Day Mount Karisimbi Climbing Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali to Karisimbi – Begin the First Hike to Karisimbi Volcano
Leave your hotel or residence in Kigali early in the morning for a 2–3-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park in Musanze. Upon arrival, you will receive a short briefing about your Mount Karisimbi hiking adventure from park guides.
The first hike to Karisimbi Volcano starts in the morning and takes about 6 hours. During this hike, you will enjoy scenic views of other Virunga volcanoes. Your overnight stop will be at an altitude of around 3,700 meters, where you will camp for the night.
While trekking along the Karisimbi hiking trail, you may encounter various wildlife species. Over 200 bird species live in Volcanoes National Park, including babbling cisticola, coqui francolin, Ross’s turaco, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, and red-faced woodland warbler.
You might also spot primates such as golden monkeys, Mona monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys during the hike. These experiences make Karisimbi hiking in Rwanda a memorable adventure.
Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Day 2: Descend from Karisimbi and Departure
Wake up early for the final climb to reach the summit of Mount Karisimbi, which stands at 4,507 meters. From the top, enjoy clear views of the surrounding volcanoes and the Virunga ranges.
After spending time at the summit, begin your descent back to the Kinigi Park Headquarters. Meet your driver-guide for a transfer to Kigali. You will be dropped off at your hotel or Kigali International Airport for your departure.
If time allows, you may take a short Kigali city tour to visit historical landmarks such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which tells the story of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
This marks the end of your 2 Days Mount Karisimbi Hiking Safari in Volcanoes National Park.