Hiking Mount Bisoke

Hiking Mount Bisoke : Hiking mt.Bisoke should be on your bucket list when visiting Rwanda. Mount Bisoke is one of the active volcanoes found within the Virunga rangers of mountains. With a height of 12,175ft, mount Bisoke lies within the borders of Rwanda (volcanoes national park). The summit and greater part of the mountain is in Rwanda. Mount bisoke was formed as a result of a rift valley that gradually diving sections of east Africa. It has two crater lakes, one at the top and the other ( lake Ngezi) found midway. Its last eruption in 1957 left behind one of the largest Crater Lake within the Virunga mountain rangers.

Mount Bisoke is a home to mountain gorillas. These primates are by large Rwanda’s most valuable tourism attractions. The rich bamboo forests and other vegetation surrounding the mountain provide ideal shelter and food for mountain gorillas. However hiking mount bisoke is also favorite activity for many visitors to the volcanoes national park. in fact, most tourists combine gorilla trekking in the volcanoes national park  with hiking mount Bisoke.

Climbing mount Bisoke

Hiking mount Bisoke is an adventurous and exciting activity which is not restricted to experience hikers. Hiking up to the summit takes about 6hours while coming down 2 or more depending on how frequently the hiking team stops for rest. Seasoned mountain climbers can reach the summit in 3houurs. Mount bisoke hike is considered less demanding but hikers should be reasonable fit and prepare to ideal with the thorny plants, stinging insects and muddy trails especially during the rainy seasons. The temperature/ oxygen level is one aspect hikers have to prepare to ideal with. Temperatures can get so low and make the hike tilting hence requiring frequent stops.

Bisoke hiking is popular among visitors to the volcanoes national park in Rwanda because of the possibility of viewing the crater lakes, stunning views and rare alpine vegetation found nowhere else on earth. The volcano is also home to forests elephant, buffalo, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and several bird species. One may get truck and meet one of the gorilla’s families or golden monkey troops along the trails which would make for an even more fulfilling experience. In case of an encounter with gorillas, hikers are allowed only 10 minutes to see the gorillas and from a distance. Taking photo of the gorillas during the hike is prohibited. The opportunity to take photo and spend more time with gorillas is only reserved for tourists who are registered for gorillas tracking. It is important to note that the mountain goorillas and golden monekys you spot on the way not be habituated hence keeping a distance

Hiking mount Bisoke usually starts in the morning with briefing from an assigned rangers at the park offices. The office is usually busy in the morning because it is where all tourists gather before heading out for activities like gorillas trekking, golden monkey tracking and fosey dian grave hike. You will be required to show your hiking permit, passport and other documentation during briefing. This is the last time you get a chance to use a decent/proper toilet and snack until you come back from the summit.

After registration and briefing, hikers are then transferred from the park offices to the starting point by their company guide or hired a tax for those traveling on their own.

The jorney top the head trail and starting pont takes 40 minutes through road. At this point you will be provided with hiking sticks from the park officials. You will be met by armed rangers to escort you uo to the summit and have a chance to hire porters to help with extra luggage. The armed against thereats from wild animals. Porters also help hikers navigate difficult sections by pulling them up or down. The porters live close to the park and rare also very knowledgeable about the mountain. Some have been helping hikers since their childhood. Hiking a porter will cost you about $15.

Mount Bisoke Hike

The hike starts with navigating through leveled but rocky and rough ground at the foot of the volcanoes. You will pass through several local gardens/ plantations before reaching the park entrance. Some parts of the park is protected by stone walls to stop animals raiding farms and human entering the park. Once you reach on top of the summit, you will be able to spot the grater landscape and vegetation that surround the Virunga regions including the mount visoke crater lakes, mount karisimbi volcano and mount mikeno in congo. The lake at the summit is not suitable for swimming.

   Requirements and equipment for hiking mount Bisoke

In order to prepare well for hiking mount Bisoke, you need to first ensure that you fit and have good health. We hear to first ensure that you are fit enough and up to the task ahead. We hear many hikers abandon the climb at the beginning of the trail just because of the mud. you need to prepare mentally with the intentions of completing the hikers regardless of the challenge you encounter.

1. The right clothing; come with long trouser, a sweater, along sleeved shirt and headgear. The long sleeved shirt will help protect you from stinging insects like beetles while warm when it gets cold.
2. Walking stick: this will be provided to you by the park guides to support you while navigating through difficult and steep sections of the trails.
3. Hand gloves: woolen or gardening gloves while holding sharp tree branches protects the hikers from being hurt by the sharp branches.
4. Light hiking shoes: the hikers should be sturdy and able to help you comfortably and effectively hike through the mud filled trails especially during the rainy seasons. The hiking socks should be tucked to your trouser to keep away insects, mud and sharp stems.

     Cost of hiking mount Bisoke

The permit for hiking mount Bisoke can be bought on the day of the hike from park headquarters. The mount Bisoke permit costs $75 per person. This doesn’t include transportation as you will need to hire a vehicle to the park and also to the head trails. Your safari company will help you arrange the entire trip by helping you book for accommodation and transportation if necessary.