This adventure links two of East Africa’s most physically demanding activities — a Kilimanjaro summit and a gorilla trek — with genuine recovery time on Lake Kivu’s shores between them, rather than stacking every challenge back to back.
Detailed Itinerary
DAYS 1–7
The full seven-day Machame Route ascent, from the Machame Gate through Shira, Barranco and Barafu Camps to a sunrise summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895m), then descent to Mweka Gate. See our dedicated Machame Route itinerary for the full day-by-day breakdown.
Kilimanjaro Climb, Machame Route
Accommodation
All levelsMountain tent camping, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner daily
DAY 8
A well-earned rest day in Arusha after the climb, with hot showers, laundry and a proper bed.
Rest Day, Arusha
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeHatari Lodge
LuxuryRivertrees Country Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
A flight via Nairobi to Kigali, then a drive to Kinigi at the base of the Virunga volcanoes.
Fly to Kigali, Transfer to Kinigi
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeMountain Gorilla View Lodge
LuxuryVirunga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
A full day tracking a habituated mountain gorilla family through the Virunga volcanoes — genuinely demanding, but a different kind of physical challenge from the mountain.
Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
A drive to the shores of Lake Kivu, with the rest of the day free to relax after eleven days of near-continuous physical activity.
Transfer to Lake Kivu
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeCormoran Lodge
LuxuryLake Kivu Serena Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12
A completely free day by the water, with optional boat trips or kayaking for those who aren’t quite ready to sit still.
Free Day, Lake Kivu
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13
A drive to Kigali and transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward international flight.
Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Kilimanjaro National Park fees, camping & rescue fees | Included in package price |
| Rwanda gorilla permit | $1,500 per person |
| Regional flight, Kilimanjaro to Kigali | Quoted separately |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers building a genuine bucket-list trip who understand that two major physical challenges need real recovery time between them, not back-to-back scheduling.Tour Includes
- Full Machame Route climb: park fees, mountain crew, camping equipment, meals
- All ground transport in Rwanda in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide (Rwanda leg)
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- Gorilla permit
Tour Excludes
- Regional flight, Kilimanjaro to Kigali
- International flights
- Personal climbing gear (available for hire locally)
- Visas
- Tips for mountain crew and safari guide
- Travel & high-altitude insurance