Gorillas & Kilimanjaro Hiking safari: This 10 Days Bwindi Gorillas & Kilimanjaro Hiking safari takes you to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Tanzania and Africa at large and to the home of almost half of the entire mountain Gorilla population in the world (0ver 1,000), Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. One of the most popular UNESCO heritage sites in Uganda.
Gorillas & Kilimanjaro Hiking safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arusha to Machame Gate – Machame Camp
- Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp
- Day 3: Shira Camp – (Lava Tower) – Barranco Camp
- Day 4: Barranco Camp – Barafu Camp
- Day 5: Barafu camp – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp
- Day 6: Mweka camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha
- Day 7: Transfer to JRO Kilimanjaro Airport – Flight to Entebbe, Uganda
- Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
- Day 10: Transfer to Entebbe
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Machame Gate – Machame Camp
Our company representative will be pick you up and drive you to the Machame Village. Pick your lunch boxes and buy mineral water. Depart the village for the Machame Gate, stop at the park offices for registration after which you will start your ascent to the top of the tallest free standing mountain in the world.
Machame route is quit scenic, enjoy the views as you trek along with your hiking poles helping you over the slippery trails in the rainforest. You will have a short break halfway the journey to have lunch. Thereafter, proceed to the Machame camp, arriving in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 2: Machame Camp – Shira Camp
Early in the morning, you will leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path up to a steep, rocky ridge with stunning views. The vegetation transforms into the infamous high altitude plants of the Kilimanjaro (the Lobelia Deckenii and the Scenecio Kilimanjari) as the altitude changes.
Halfway the hike, you will have a break to enjoy a meal. Continue your ascent to reach the Shira Plateau which provides rewarding views of the mountain and Kibo glaciers weather permitting. In no time, you will be at the Shira Camp. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 3: Shira Camp – (Lava Tower) – Barranco Camp
Today, you will continue your ascent towards the East. This is a vital day for acclimatization. You will begin by hiking east on the expansive Shira Plateau. Reaching the junction of the Shira and Lemosho Routes is your first milestone for the day.
You will stop for your lunch and a little rest before descending gradually to the Barranco camp. The camp is set in a valley close to the intimidating Barranco Wall. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 4: Barranco Camp – Barafu Camp
Start your day with a dessert after breakfast, the climb up the Barranco Wall. Once you reach the top, you will descend sharply into the greener territories of the Karanga Valley. One more climb and you are at Karanga camp, stop for lunch and a mini break before you continue to Barafu “ice” camp completing the South Circuit.
The summit is now a further 1,345m up and you will make the final ascent this same night. Prepare your gear for the final ascent. Early dinner and early to bed to get enough rest. Dinner and overnight at the Barafu Camp. Prepare for a really cold night.
Day 5: Barafu camp – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Mweka Camp
Wakeup call at around 23:30hrs or midnight, take a hot cup of coffee / tea and biscuits then set off into the night in a North-West direction through heavy scree towards the Stella Point. Making it to this point also earns you a certificate, but that’s no reason of stopping here. Have a short stop and then ascend to Uhuru Peak 5,895 m (19,341 ft.).
Once at Uhuru Peak, take photos as you marvel at the stunning surrounding views. The time spent at the summit depends on the weather conditions. Time to descend the Kilimanajaro. Descend straight to Mweka Camp with a lunch break and a brief rest stop at Barafu Camp. Pack your gears and other property and set off to Mweka Camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Mweka camp – Mweka Gate – Arusha
After your breakfast, you will continue your descent to the Mweka Park Gate where you will be handed your summit certificate and then your driver will drive you to Mweka Village for lunch and after drive you to your hotel in Arusha for well-deserved showers, mouthwatering meals and ample rest. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 7: Transfer to JRO Kilimanjaro Airport – Flight to Entebbe, Uganda
Enjoy your much deserved rest this morning. After your breakfast, your driver will pick you up and drive you to the Kilimanjaro JR airport for your flight to the pearl of Africa, Uganda.
You will be welcomed by our company driver / guide at the airport in Entebbe, who will later drive you to Entebbe / Kampala to check in at your hotel / lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Welcome to Uganda.
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After your breakfast, very early in the morning, your guide will pick you from your hotel and embark on your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the scenic South Western part of Uganda with numerous views, from rolling hills, swamps, acacia dotted grasslands, farms and plantations and beautiful lakes.
First stop at the Equator line in Kayabwe, then in Mbarara for a delicious lunch. Continue with your journey arriving in the evening, where you will do nothing much but check in, relax and enjoy the view. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge / camp.
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
This is a special day dedicated to the famous but rare Mountain Gorillas. After your breakfast with your packed lunches, you will head to the park’s headquarters for briefing about the gorilla trekking dos and don’ts. You will be allocated to a gorilla family group, then off you go into the Bwindi Forest to search for these gentle giants led by ranger guides.
Trekking time varies from 2-8 hours depending on different factors. Once you meet the gorillas, you will be spend a full hour in their presence, take pictures and ask any questions you may have. Retreat and head back to the starting point where your driver will be waiting to pick you up and drive you back to your lodge for relaxation. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your lodge or you can opt to go for a village/nature walk or visit the Batwa Community. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge / camp.
Day 10: Transfer to Entebbe
Wake up early in the morning, have your breakfast and embark on your journey back to Kampala / Entebbe. You will be dropped at your hotel or at the airport to catch your flight back home.
