Hiking Mount Bisoke in Rwanda

Hiking Mount Bisoke in Rwanda

Mount Bisoke is among the volcanoes of Virunga, offering adventure safaris to visitors who are interested in exploring much of it. Remember that the virunga have got eight volcanoes, and these volcanoes are shared by different borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is a wonderful destination for visitors to explore because of its beauty and the unique adventure vacations. Vibrant Holiday Safaris offers or arranges hiking safaris to the wonderful and fascinating Bisoke Mountain.

Are you planning a vacation to Rwanda and want to know what exciting and fun activities you can do there? Take a look at one of the magnificent Virunga volcanoes. Mount Bisoke is clearly the most feasible. Mount Bisoke, sometimes known as Visoke, is a volcano in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. It lies at 12,175 feet above sea level on the border between Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda.

Rwanda  harbors the endangered mountain gorillas as well as the  Bisoke mountain which got the craters on top of it.  Yes, it is a very active volcano, but you don’t need to be concerned because the volcano’s most recent eruption occurred in 1957.  Just meters to the top of the Bisoke, you will explore  a crater lake in the names of, Lake Ngezi.

Indeed, mountain Bisoke in Rwanda is home to one of the endangered mountain gorillas, which are among the most popular attractions on the African continent. The mountain is enshrined within various vegetation types, which have provided the perfect grounds for the endangered mountain gorillas because of the food availability. Other than the endangered gorillas, climbing this great mountain up to its peak is a thrilling adventure, as most of the visitors who go to Rwanda for gorilla trekking do so with the climbing adventure safaris to Mount Bisoke, which is very interesting. You will enjoy the active volcano on top of the mountain.

Here we discuss the process and experience of the visitors climbing the great mountain Bisoke in Rwanda. Yes, although hiking Mount Bisoke only takes a day, it does require a certain degree of athleticism in order to have the greatest experience. Are you really an experienced mountain climber and you would you like  to take the Bisoke Hiking challenge? It’ll take you three hours to climb, so just have some good exercises so that you are physically fit to be able to enjoy this wonderful safari.

If you’re not used to climbing mountains and aren’t in good shape, getting to the peak of Mount Bisoke Volcano might take up to 6 hours because you need to have some level of fitness. This is due to the fact that you would have to stop and rest multiple times. If you are in poor physical condition, you should not go trekking. There’s a lot to encounter while hiking the Bisoke Mountain and this will include passing through the rocky and muddy terrain. You may also have to cope with stinging insects and prickly vegetation. Mental readiness is the most important factor to consider when trekking in the mountains.

Begin our Mountain Bisoke Hiking expeditions.

As it is, all the visitors for the Bisoke hiking safari must be first briefed, and this usually happens at the park headquarters, I mean the Volcanoes National Park. The briefing takes place in the morning as you will be given instructions of what to do and not to do while hiking . You’ll be registered, given a hiking stick, and driven to the starting site by armed rangers/guides in your vehicle while at the park headquarters. all the visitors for hiking, must first be cleared and get the Bisoke hiking permits  which allows them to have the successful hiking . It is advised that you utilize the washrooms before leaving for the starting site, as this will be the last time you will have access to a good toilet.

Because the route is rather difficult, it takes around 40 minutes for the visitors to get to point where the Mt. Bisoke hiking safari starts from. The armed rangers are there to protect you from roaming wild animals and any armed rebels who may have crossed into the park from the Democratic Republic of Congo. In this location, rebels are nearly unheard of, and animals seldom assault hikers. Tourists are not to be taken lightly by the armed guards. If something goes wrong, it might result in a lot of bad press.

Porters are also available for hire if you need them, and these can cost you between 10 to 15 United States dollars. The porters will assist you in carrying heavy gear and will provide a hand during the harder stages of the walk, such as climbing Mount Bisoke in Rwanda. The porters are locals who have ascended the mountain several times. They are well acquainted with the area. Some people claim to have been assisting hikers since they were youngsters. At the foot of the mountain, the beginning is rocky and difficult. You’ll see that the park has stone walls around it to keep animals away from reaching the local community garden.

At the foot of the volcano, the journey begins with a flat but rocky and uneven trail. Before reaching the park gate, you’ll travel past a few local gardens and plantations. Stone walls surround the park, preventing animals from entering and humans from entering. The amazing environment and plants that surround the Virunga region, including the Mount Visoke Crater Lake, Mount Karisimbi volcano, and Mount Mikeno in Congo, will be visible after you reach the peak.

The wall stones that are around the Volcanoes National Park that you will see while hiking the mountain Bisoke keep humans out of the park unless they have permission. The Rangers will lead you beyond the bamboo woods at the mountain’s base to semi-alpine vegetation at the peak. Keep in mind that you can not abandon someone. It is for this reason that being physically healthy and psychologically prepared is critical. The entire squad can be slowed down by a single hiker. The amount of time you spend trekking and how long you stay at the peak is determined by the weather on that particular day. If the weather is nice, you might even be able to enjoy a picnic at the top.

 Interesting things to see while hiking Mount Bisoke in Rwanda

While hiking the Bisoke Mountain in Rwanda, you can see a lot of tourist attractions. Some of the interesting attractions that you can see while hiking Bisoke Mountain in Rwanda include, the crater, which is found at the summit of the mountain, as we earlier said. Therefore, be sure to view these as well as the fog at the peak. These waters, however, are not suited for swimming. The alpine vegetation is also something to anticipate. Yes, the mountain also harbors the endangered mountain gorillas, which you will see, as well as several other species, including forest buffaloes, elephants, birds, and golden monkeys. Unfortunately, if you are fortunate enough to come across mountain gorillas while hiking, you must stay a safe distance as the group you encounter may not be habituated.

To avoid wasting time, the Rangers will restrict your time with the gorillas to 10 minutes. No images are permitted unless you have registered for gorilla monitoring on Mount Bisoke. Mount Bisoke also offers spectacular views of the Virunga volcanoes, including Muhabura, Nyiragongo, Mikeno, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Karisimbi, which may be reached by hiking.

Once you have reached the summit of Mt. Bisoke, you will have to hike down to the starting point, and as you are hiking down, you will still have to navigate through muck and steep areas of the mountain. At the starting site, your driver will be waiting for you. Before beginning your trek back to your lodge or Kigali, it is necessary to tip the porters and rangers. It’s done in the spirit of giving back to the community while also recognizing individuals who work hard but aren’t well compensated.

Items that you should bring for the Mount Bisoke hiking safari in Rwanda

Please make sure that you come with the right shoes and socks for hiking. During the rainy season, you’ll want to wear shoes that are water-resistant, light, and durable enough to handle muddy paths. These shoes must be light in weight so that you may walk comfortably without becoming fatigued. The stockings are required to be tucked into your pants for protection against dirt, spiky plants, and stinging insects.

You should also bring appropriate clothing; as you progress up the mountain, you’ll need a long trouser, a long-sleeved shirt, a thick sweater, and headwear to keep you warm. The long-sleeved shirt protects the wearer from stinging insects.

Hand gloves, preferably woolen or gardening gloves, are also recommended for mountain bisoke hiking. These will protect your hands when you need to hang on to trees with jagged branches, socks and water, as these come in handy if you feel hungry or thirsty while climbing and on a hiking or walking stick. All participants are given a hiking stick by the park guides to help them navigate the steep terrain and muddy routes.

Hiking Mount Bisoke in Rwanda

How much money do I need to pay to hike Mt. Bisoke?

Bisoke Hiking costs $75 per person. On days when there aren’t any hikers, tickets can be purchased at the trailhead. It’s dangerous to book straight from the park because there’s no assurance that you’ll obtain complimentary tickets. What’s included in the $75? A park ranger and a hiking guide are included in the permit fee. Transportation from Kigali to the park and lunches are not included in the $75 fee. It’s for this reason that most hikers choose a guided trip. Vibrant Holiday Safaris can reserve permits and organize transportation for you in advance. If going with another person, the total cost of ascending Mount Bisoke is $250.

Hiking Mount Bisoke in Rwanda