Bisoke Volcanic Hike

The Bisoke Volcanic hike is one of the most thrilling experiences in Volcanoes National Park. The mountain is one of the 8 series of the great Virunga volcanic mountains tucked within Africa’s oldest national parks. Mountain Bisoke also known as Visoke it is popular for mountain hikes in Rwanda it straddles along the country’s borders with the democratic republic of Congo although most of its areas including the summit are in Rwanda. Mountain Bisoke boasts the largest crater of all the Volcanic mountains of the Virunga at the summit stretching approximately 400 meters in diameter and 100 meters in depth, the name “Bisoke” locally means soaked in water, the locals get this from the 2 crater lakes on the mountain, one at the summit and the other just below the known as Lake Ngezi.Along the slopes of the Mountain is a growing angelic vegetation zone ranging from the farmlands, and bamboo forest through the Hagenia to the subalpine zone towards the summit of the mountain.

Mountain Bisoke rises 3,711m above sea level, it is believed to have last erupted in 1957 although scientifically the mountain is still active, with the summit covered in fog due to high altitudes, you might witness a little mist hence important to take waterproof clothes when going to Hike, the mountain was created as a result of the movement of tectonic plates hence volcanicity, along the slopes of the mountain are animals species and birds that live here, including golden monkeys, mountain gorillas, forest elephants, giant forest hogs, to mention a few. There are large groups of mountain gorillas, these are the most catch of the volcanoes known to the world the primates love living in the bamboo forest

Bisoke Volcanic hike can be done in one day depending on one level of fitness and if in a group speed taken depends on that of the last person, it takes approximately 3 hours to reach the summit, beginners might end up using more time to even 6 hours to hike the mountain due to the multiple times of stopping to take some rest, Bisoke hikes begins with a transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before heading out, rangers will check if you have all the requirements fit to go for the hike, while at headquarters you will be offered a hiking stick and an armed game ranger, to the starting point you will be transferred using vehicle support. In case of heavy camera equip mentor bags, it is important to hire a porter to help you with the luggage. When moving through, the forest, you will get a chance to view many plant species, butterflies, and flowers, in the bamboo forest you might be chanced to see Mountain gorillas on a lucky day.

Hiking Mountain Bisoke will give you angelic views of the neighbouring mountains of Sabinyo, Nyirangongo, Mikeno, Gahinga, Sabinyo, and Muhabura, upon reaching the summit enjoy the scenic views and later descend it is easier to go downhill to find your driver who will transfer you back to the hotel or Kigali city.