Hiking Mount Bisoke Volcano – How to Book, Cost, Price and Hiking Guide
Hiking Mount Bisoke is another stunning adventure that you may not forget because it features a crater lake on top of the summit and interestingly can be hiked within a day rated as moderate for the averagely fit hikers.
Mount Bisoke is at an elevation of 3,700 meters above sea level and straddles the borders of Rwanda, Ugandan and Democratic Republic of Congo but the larger part including the Crater Lake on top of the summit is located in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.
Hiking Mount Bisoke
Hiking the Bisoke volcano takes about 4-6 hours which largely depends on the guide, the hiking pace of other climbers and the nature of the trails. Sometimes steep slopes and muddy trails make it more strenuous. Hiking starts at 09:00 am from Kinigi visitor center, hikers need to pack lunch and enough drinking water plus hiking sticks, sturdy boots, rain coats, warm clothing and if at all one cannot carry the luggage may decide to hire porters.
Guides and rangers are there to assist hikers and you are advised to seek advice from them because they are knowledgeable about the mountain.
The journey to the summit crater is rewarding with thick green vegetation at the base of the volcano, the ascent takes you through the hagenia hypercerium belts, bamboo forests, and bare rocks to the sub alpine vegetation on top where the crater is covered by mist and fog that alternates with weather changes. The top of the summit is relatively flat and good for relaxing after several hours of hiking as you wonder the at the 400 meter diameter crater.
Getting to both Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke volcanoes is easy and quick from where ever you lodge or hotel is whether in goma, musanze or kinigi you can be transferred early in the morning to volcanoes national park the walk a few minutes to kinigi visitor centre. There after get a briefing from your guide as you gather with a team of climbers to be accompanied by armed rangers for security.
Hiking these two is done all year round though most hikers prefer the dry season between June to September and December to February when trails and quite dry and easy to hike. On the other hand the wet season begins from March to May and between October and November. Still you would hike and get what you want despite the weather conditions.
When hikers finish the volcano treks, there are a variety of activities to enjoy such as the hike to the Dian Fossey grave site where you can learn about the foundation for mountain gorilla conservation. Gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, visit Akagera for wildlife or track chimps and walk on top of forests in Nyungwe national park. A visit to the community initiatives like Iby’ Iwacu cultural village gives a real meaning of rural Africa and Rwandan culture in particular. If you have enough time get to Kigali city and visit the genocide memorial centers.