Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and Gorillas trekking in Rwanda

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and Gorillas Trekking in Rwanda Nestled in the northeastern part of Tanzania lies, Mount Kilimanjaro Africa’s tallest mountain at about 5,895 meters (19,340 feet). and is the largest free-standing mountain rise in the world. It is snow-capped through the ice levels have reduced

It is a stratovolcano with three cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Kibo is the summit of the mountain and the tallest of the three volcanic formations. While Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, Kibo is considered dormant and could erupt again though estimated time is not yet speculated.  The mountain is a popular hiking spot that attracts adventure lovers from around the world. It has a higher altitude, but hikes are not too challenging and can be made by inexperienced hikers. A Kilimanjaro hike is quite physical, tiresome, and risky but gives pride on summiting. Hiking needs less requirements as the hiking routes are clearly defined and well maintained.

Mount Kilimanjaro is surrounded by six forest corridors that combine to form Kilimanjaro National Park. Tourists always have alternating ideas when it comes to visiting Mountain Kilimanjaro.  Summiting this mountain can be done in 5 – 6 days as the shortest time. Kilimanjaro hiking safaris can be combined with gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda.

 Gorilla trekking experience

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is carried out in the  Volcanoes National Park that lies in the Virunga Massif which is shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking is a motivating activity that brings you to closer contact with the gentle giant apes in their natural habitat. This activity involves several hours of hiking in the dense bamboo forests and steep mountains in search of a specific gorilla family together with experienced game guides and rangers. The final encounter with the gorillas is a festive moment as you are allowed one hour to stay in their presence.

Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park Rwanda starts with a briefing from the authorities at the park headquarters at Kinigi.  After the briefing, participants are grouped into eight and then allocated to a particular gorilla family. Rwanda offers 10 habituated gorilla families, but no matter which family you are allocated to, the experience remains astonishing. Since the activity involves hiking,  physical fitness is highly recommended, and the search may last from 2 to 4 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. When you find the gorillas, you will spend one hour watching the young ones playing, the females giving care to the little ones, and the dominant silverback guarding his family. Gorillas are playful and funny that they can come closer to you, follow the instructions from the game guides, always stay calm and silent, and avoid unnecessary movements.

After the trekking, you will return to the park headquarters for trekking certificates and later drive back to the accommodation.

Reminder: If you have heavy luggage, hire a porter before you start the trekking. Porters are always available at the starting point and their services cost $10 to$15. If you feel unable to walk for longer distances, sedan chairs are available at the park though should be booked earlier before the trekking date. The elderly should also request to be allocated to gorilla families close to the park headquarters. You should have suitable trekking gear.

 Cost of hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and trekking gorillas in Rwanda.

Before traveling to Tanzania for a hike to Mount Kilimanjaro, you must be prepared to incur different costs. The cost of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is not cheap as it involves different costs depending on the number of days to spend on the hike and trail to be taken.

Before starting the hike, you need to pay for flights from your country of residence to Tanzania. If you are a native, you will need vehicle transport from your home to the starting point of the hike.

Mount Kilimanjaro hikes are done through various trails, some longer than others. This brings the variation in hiking costs.  The cost ranges from $1500 to $3500 per person depending on the route.  Hiking charges always include conservation fees that are charged per day by the Kilimanjaro Authority depending on the number of days for the hike.

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and  Gorillas trekking As you plan your hiking safari to Mount Kilimanjaro, campsite fees should be highly considered and range from $50 to $ 60 per person for each day spent in the huts (accommodation) along your hike route.

Rescue fees must be paid as you may not know what will happen as you hike. The fee is usually $20 and $30 per person. Other fees include guide and porter entrance fees, tour operator services costs, and government taxes.

Food and water to be supplied daily depending on the number of days for your hike must be budgeted for.  Costs range from $10 to $20 per climber per day. The cost of food in Tanzania is not too high but you need to incur costs of transportation and at times you will need fresh food supply because you need a healthy diet for a prosperous hike.

When budgeting for your hike, consider carrying lightweight gear because the heavier the luggage the higher the charges from porters, guides, and cooks. Usually, there are around 3-4 porters per climber depending on the route and length of the hiking trail. The number of guides depends on the number of hikers but a group of eight hikers should have two guides to ensure safety along the hike.

For one to participate in gorilla trekking activity in Rwanda, one should obtain a gorilla trekking permit issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).  This permit allows you access to the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.   A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 per foreign resident, $500 per non-foreign resident, and $200 per East African resident aged 15 years and above. Getting the gorilla trekking permit should be done by booking directly with RDB or through a trusted tour operator like Active African Vacations.

The cost of trekking gorillas not only includes obtaining a permit but also other expenses to be incurred on the safari like air tickets, accommodation, ground transportation, meals, tour operator commission, souvenirs, and tips among others.

 Best time for a combined Kilimanjaro Hike and gorilla trek safari in Rwanda.

The best time to go for the combined Kilimanjaro hike and gorilla safari is the dry season. The dry season from December to February and June to September offers the best time for these activities because the trekking routes in Volcanoes National Park are not slippery and the mountain gorillas can easily be spotted due to the thinning vegetation. It is also easier to hike up Mountain Kilimanjaro during the dry season because the hiking trails are dry. The wet season also favours trekking for budget travelers because the government offers permit discounts during this period and the accommodation facilities are a bit cheaper. The wet season is from March to May and October to November does not favour hiking Mt Kilimanjaro. Therefore, for all travelers who wish to have such a combined safari, the best time should be the dry season.

How to travel from Mount Kilimanjaro to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

The journey from Mount Kilimanjaro to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda is a combination of both road and air transport. The quickest way is to take a flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport with overlay routes in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and Nairobi (Kenya) then proceed to Kigali International Airport. From Kigali, you will travel by road to Volcanoes National Park. The flight time to Kigali will take 4-5 hours and by road to the Volcanoes National Park, it’s 2 to 3 hours.

If you opt to use only road transport, the journey is less costly but takes over 24 hours.

What to pack for a combined gorilla trek in Rwanda and Mount Kilimanjaro hike safari

The packing list for the gorilla safari and hike on Kilimanjaro is similar because activities in both places involve hiking, and these are some of the things that you will need to pack for your safari.

Warm and thick clothes for the cold weather in the thick rainforest of the Volcanoes National Park and in the higher altitude zones of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Strong hiking boots are recommended for hiking through the national park, tracking gorillas, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The boots should fit well, be knee-length, waterproof, and well-built.

Thick socks to keep warm and garden gloves are used for both the gorilla trekking and Kilimanjaro hike.

Adjustable gaiters to keep the dust and mud off your trousers.

Waterproof rain jacket. The rain jacket will keep you safe from the rain that is experienced all year round in the gorilla park.

Insect repellent to protect you from insect bites and stings.

Foldable and refillable water bottle

Sunglasses and a sunhat to protect you from direct sun rays.

Snacks during the gorilla trek food to be eaten at the campsites on the mountain.

Binoculars, cameras, and camera equipment including lenses, memory, batteries, portable adapters, and a waterproof water bag are necessary for you to capture memorable photos for our safari.

First aid kit for any medical emergencies.

A walking stick is available at the park headquarters. It will help you traverse the forest and when hiking the mountain.