Kilimanjaro Gorilla Tour
Kilimanjaro gorilla tour is an 11 day combo African safari tour in Tanzania and Uganda. The Kilimanjaro gorilla tour brings together Kilimanjaro hiking and gorilla trekking.
11 Day Kilimanjaro Gorilla Tour Package
Kilimanjaro gorilla tour is an 11 day combo African safari. The Kilimanjaro gorilla tour brings together Kilimanjaro climbing and gorilla trekking.
The 11 days Kilimanjaro gorilla tour starts in Tanzania and ends in Uganda. You will use the Lemosho route on climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
You will also have an opportunity to go gorilla trekking in Uganda. This allows you to see the rare mountain gorillas in Uganda.
This will be in Bwindi impenetrable rain forest. The forest hosts more than half the remaining mountain gorillas in the world.
Highlights of the 11 Day Kilimanjaro Gorilla Tour Package
The highlight of Kilimanjaro gorilla tour is mountain climbing.
- Hike the tallest Mountain in Africa – Mt Kilimanjaro
- Gorilla Trek in Uganda
- Enjoy beautiful Scenery
- Great Nature walks
Detailed 11 Day Kilimanjaro Gorilla Tour Package Itinerary
Day 1: LEMOSHO (7,800 ft) – FOREST CAMP (9,500 ft)
Meet and greet by our Tanzania safari rep in Arusha. You will be briefed on the Kilimanjaro gorilla tour. Your departure from Arusha will be at around 0730 hrs.
You will have 4 hours transfer to Londorossi gate. This will be in time for registration and completion of entry formalities. You will then have a one hour’s drive to the Lemosho trail head. Enjoy lunch upon arrival at trail head.
Start the trek through undisturbed forest. This trek winds to the first camp. This will be about 3 – 4 hours of trekking. Your overnight at Forest Camp also referred to as Mti Mkubwa camp.
Day 2: FOREST CAMP – SHIRA 1 CAMP (12,200 ft)
You start your Kilimanjaro gorilla tour day with an early breakfast. Your Mount Kilimanjaro trekking then takes you out of the forest. You will take a steep track into a Savannah of tall grasses.
Head to the heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. Ascend through the lush rolling hills below the Shira plateau. Finally, you will reach Shira 1 camp at the edge of the plateau.
This will be a day of 5-6 hours trekking. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is quite amazing.
Day 3: SHIRA 1 CAMP – SHIRA 2 CAMP (12,600 ft)
Full day on Kilimanjaro gorilla tour exploring the Shira plateau. You will trek east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak. You have the option to visit the ancient collapsed Shira cone. This is the oldest of Kilimanjaro’s three volcanoes.
Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth, averaging 12,500 feet. Trekking time without the optional excursions is about 3 hours.
Day 4: SHIRA 2 CAMP – LAVA TOWER CAMP (15,000 ft.)
After breakfast proceed steadily up and down the expansive ridgelines of high desert. Your destination on Kilimanjaro gorilla tour will be to Lava Tower Camp. This trek will take you about 4 hours.
Lava Tower is a 300 foot volcanic plug. It marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet, where the campsite is set. Scramble to the top of Lava Tower for fabulous panoramic views.
Day 5: LAVA TOWER – ARROW GLACIER CAMP (16,100 ft)
A 2 hour-trek up a steep, boulder-strewn path bring you to Arrow Glacier Camp. This is located at the foot of the great Western Breach. From this campsite rises the steep path up to the crater.
The massive headwall of the breach glows a warm red in the afternoon sun. You will have a rest in Arrow Glacier Camp. This will be in preparation for the most challenging day ahead.
Day 6: ARROW GLACIER – UHURU PEAK– MWEKA CAMP (10,200 ft)
You will be woken up at 0000hrs. Start your Kilimanjaro gorilla tour day with a hot cup of tea or coffee. It is time to ascend the Western Breach. This will take approximately 5-7 hours.
Upon reaching the crater rim, you’ll be treated to a stunning view of the Northern Ice fields. You can also see the Furtwangler Glacier, and Uhuru Peak itself. You have another 2 hours through the crater floor to Uhuru Peak.
As an option you can hike for an hour the Ash Pit and Reusch Crater. It is celebration time; you are at Point Uhuru. Time is short as you need to descend as soon as possible.
Descend along the gently sloping crater rim to Stella Point on the crater rim. This is at an altitude of at 19,000 feet (5,790 mt.). Continue with the descend on Mweka Route down a steep scree slope. You will be at Barafu Camp (15,100 ft. / 4,600 mt.) in time for lunch.
In the afternoon continue the descent into the Heather Zone to Mweka Camp. It is here that you will have your dinner and spend the night. The trekking time from Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp will be from 6-8 hours. Total trekking time for the day is between 12-17 hours.
Day 7: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – ENTEBBE – KAMPALA
Enjoy a 3 hours descend straight to the Mweka gate. Your Kilimanjaro gorilla tour will be in time for lunch. You will have your Mount Kilimanjaro trekking certificates issued. It is time to head to Kilimanjaro Airport.
You will be in time for your flight to Entebbe in Uganda. You will be met by our Uganda safari rep for a transfer to Kampala. Drop off will be at Hotel Africana booked on bed and breakfast basis.
Day 8: KAMPALA- BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
The driver guide will be ready to pick you up at 0630hrs. Leave from Kampala early morning and drive south-west through the city. You will have a stopover at the Equator for photos.
Later proceed to Mbarara where you will be in time for lunch. After lunch you will continue with your drive to Bwindi Forest National Park. The drive takes you through savannah grasslands and banana plantations.
You will also see herds of Ankole cattle with their incredible long curving horns. You will go up the Kigezi highlands, known as the “Switzerland of Africa”. Arrival in Bwindi will be late in the evening. This is in time for dinner and overnight at Nshongi Gorilla Resort.
Day 9: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Wake up to an early breakfast before reporting at the HQ. Your Kilimanjaro gorilla tour takes you on giant ape tracking. This will involve walking up steeply in the dense rain forest. You will be going through different animals’ trails allowing access to tourists.
Gorilla tracking is an inspiring and wonderful adventure which one can’t miss. The Gorilla is a shy and peaceful animal. It is an unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact.
Return to the lodge later in the afternoon for some leisure time. You will have your dinner and overnight at Nshongi Gorilla Resort.
Day 10: BWINDI – KAMPALA
After breakfast you will drive leisurely back to Kampala. This will be with a stopover for lunch en-route. Stop at the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers to watch the ceremonial drums being crafted. You will be dropped off at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
Day 11: DEPARTURE
After breakfast you will end your Kilimanjaro gorilla tour. Enjoy a transfer to the Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.
———- End of Kilimanjaro Gorilla Tour Package ———-
11 Day Kilimanjaro Gorilla Tour Package Costs:
11 day Kilimanjaro Gorilla Tour Package Inclusions/Exclusions
- Transport to and from Nairobi to the trail head
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits
- camping/hut fees, rescue fees and Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only
- Private toilet up the mountain
- Four season, 3 person mountain tents, double occupancy
- Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thick
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
- Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
- Breakfast at hotel
- 1 x gorilla permit per person
- Accommodation on full board while on safari
- Concession fees
Not included in 11 day Kilimanjaro Gorilla Tour Package price:
- All International Airfare
- Lunch or dinner at hotel
- Regional Flight Kilimanjaro International Airport – Entebbe International Airport
- Beverages at hotel
- Personal gear and equipment
- Tips
Costs of additional services:
- Single supplement, for single tent/room, per trip $250
- Extra porter, for excess gear, per day $30
- Extra hotel night in Nairobi and Moshi, check in 11AM, check out 10AM, per double room $90
- Sleeping bag rental, Mountain Hardwear Lamina, synthetic -30F, per trip $50. No rental reservations necessary, payable in Tanzania
- Trekking poles rental, telescopic, per trip $20 No rental reservations necessary, payable in Tanzania
- Mount Meru climb (4 days/3 nights + 2 nights hotel). Per person $1,495 (2+ climbers), solo climber $1,695
