12 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Kilimanjaro Trek- Car Rental Tanzania

This 12 days trip Rwanda gorilla trekking and Kilimanjaro trek will starts in Rwanda for the mountain gorillas and ends in Tanzania with the Mount Kilimanjaro hike.  It is ran with the highest levels of efficiency and professionalism. At all times, you will safe and well taken care of. , quick responses and many times issues are addressed before even having to ask about them. You will hike Kilimanjaro using Machame route.

Safari highlights,

• Mountain gorillas
• Beautiful views
• Kilimanjaro summit

Day1: Mountain gorillas

Our guide will pick you from the airport or your hotel in Kigali very early in the morning. Enjoy the scenic drive to Ruhengeri. Upon arrival at the park headquarters, get briefed about the activity to be done, highlighting the dos and don’ts. Then go gorilla tracking in one of the habituated gorilla groups in Parc National des Volcans (group can be known at the time of booking a safari). Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch! Please note that some gorilla families however are more elusive and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. In the afternoon embark on your return trip to Kigali.

Accommodation at Onomo hotel Kigali

Day 2: Tanzania welcomes you

Your driver will pick you from your hotel very early in the morning to start your journey to Arusha Tanzania for your mountain Kilimanjaro hike using the Machame route.

Accommodation at O/N Four Points The Arusha Hotel.

Day 3: Orientation and gear check

We meet over breakfast at the hotel and join a detailed group orientation covering all aspects of the climb. After lunch we have a through equipment check, and those interested can join a walking tour (offsite) of Arusha before dinner.

Day 4: Machame gate to Machame camp

We travel by Land Cruiser to the Machame trailhead, winding through coffee fields and small forests of ferns and flowers. After registering with the park service, we meet our porters from the Chagga Tribe, indigenous to the slopes of Kilimanjaro. They are an integral part of our African journey and become friends and provide insight into their culture and society. Our climb begins on the edge of a rain forest (elevation 5,800 ft.). Below the watchful eyes of the monkeys, we trek seven hours to the Machame Camp (10,000 ft.) and set camp for the night.

Day 5: Machame camp to shira camp

Leave the Machame Camp, cross a small valley, and begin our ascent. The environment changes from heath forest to moor lands. These moor lands are littered with two species of giant groundsel, senecios and lobelia. Halfway up the trail we meet a river gorge and ascend across the Shira Plateau (12,300 ft.). We sleep at Shira Camp.

Day 6: Shira camp to Barranco camp

Today we climb to 14,800 ft. while crossing a ridge and viewing the plains far below. Here we eat lunch and admire the ancient glacier ice of the Breach Wall before dropping to our 12,800-ft. campsite at Great Barranco.

Day 7: Barranco camp to Karanga valley

We climb up and over the Great Barranco, topping out at about 14,500 ft. before dropping to our camp at the Karanga River at about 13,000 ft. This completes another day of acclimatization as we pass below the famous Breach Wall, the largest ice and rock face in Africa. The Breach Wall climbing route, known as “The Icicle,” was first climbed in the early 1970’s by Reinhold Messner. Daytime temperatures can reach 80 degrees F, while evening temperatures often drop below freezing.

Day 8: Karanga valley to Kosovo camp

From the Karanga River we climb about five to six hours to our High Camp at Kosovo (15,600 ft.). As we wind through beautiful and rarely traveled regions, we enter a high desert plateau, littered with volcanic boulders. Looking south, we view the desert plains as the pinnacles of Mowenzi Peak tower before us. At Kosovo, we prepare for the summit attempt. We spend our time packing and preparing for the early morning, 2 a.m. departure.

Recommended Cars for 7 Days Self Drive Trip.

Car Rental Tanzania recommends the most reliable and strong 4×4 land cruisers for your 7 days Tanzania safari. Wishing to visit on camping trip or lodging Tour? The choice is your , contact us to secure your Safari Tour with us.

Day 9: Summit day

Awake at 11 p.m. for a light meal and midnight departure. We climb wearing headlamps until the predawn light is reflected off the African plains. Following a distinct ridge, we approach the crater’s rim, then traverse northwest along the rim to the main summit, Uhuru Peak (19,344 ft.). From here we view the Bismarck Towers, rock pinnacles along the rim, the vast crater floor, the tiny Furtwängler Glacier, the ash pit, and the large northern ice cap. We then descend back to High Camp for a short rest and lunch before packing up and continuing down to our last camp on the mountain — Millennium Camp — at 12,250 ft.

Day 10: Millennium gate to Mweka gate

The sunrise is exquisite as we awaken at 5 a.m. below the towering mountain. We depart by 7 a.m., descending through the lush green landscape of the Mweka route into the thickest jungle we have yet encountered. The environment becomes primordial, with 20-ft. fern trees creating a prehistoric atmosphere. After reaching the Mweka Gate, we enjoy a festive celebration with our crew, followed by a hot buffet lunch. Our two-hour return drive to Arusha has us back in time for showers, and to enjoy a celebratory dinner together.

Accommodation at O/N Four Points the Arusha Hotel

Day 11: Arusha.

On this day, you will relax and spend the day at your hotel after the long Kilimanjaro hike. You can alternatively visit the areas around Arusha before your departure the following morning.

You can visit the hotel souvenir shop to buy gifts for the people you left back at home which are usually the African craft materials.

Day 12: departure

On this last day of your trip, your driver guide will transfer you to Arusha airport for your flight back home or to other tourist destinations. You are always welcome to Tanzania to visit more of the destinations that you were not able to go to while on this trip.