Mountain hiking is one of the not-miss adventures in Volcanoes National Park. Home to five of the eight Virunga volcanoes, Volcanoes National Park offers the best mountain climbing experiences for adventure seekers. The park is home to the highest Volcano (Mt Karisimbi) along with other dormant Volcanoes. Mountain hiking in Volcanoes National Park complements other experiences such as mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, nature walks, community tours, Musanze caves, and visiting twin lakes among others.
The Mountains in Volcanoes National Park include:
Mount Karisimbi
Located on Rwanda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mount Karisimbi is one of the most hiked mountains in Volcanoes National Park and the whole of the Virunga Massif. The stratovolcano stands 3507 meters above sea level and is the highest Volcano among the eight. The Volcano can be hiked in two days including an overnight stay on the mountain’s slopes.
The lower slopes of Mount Karisimbi shelter the Karisimbi gorilla family and other primates that climbers can encounter on a good day. The volcano is named after the snow” Amasimbi” seen on the volcano’s summit in the dry months of June, July & August. Mount Karisimbi is bordered by Mount Mikeno in the north, Mount Bisoke in the east, and Nyiragongo in the western side. Mount Karisimbi is the 11th-highest mountain in Africa
Mount Bisoke
Also known as Mount Visoke, Mount Bisoke is another popular volcano hiked in Volcanoes National Park. The Volcano stands at 3711 meters above sea level located on the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the summit of the Volcano is located in Rwanda and it is where hiking takes place. Physically fit travelers can hike Mount Bisoke in one day and hiking time takes roughly 6 hours to the summit and back. The summit of Mount Bisoke contains two crater lakes. Mount Bisoke first erupted in 1891 while the last eruption took place in 1957. There are geological activities seen at the volcanoes, evidence that the volcano might erupt another time in the future.
Dian Fossey Graveyard
A hike to the graveyard of Dian Fossey is a not-miss on your Rwanda hiking safari in Volcanoes National Park. Born in 1967 and died in 1985, Dian Fossey was an American Primatologist who dedicated her whole life to saving the endangered gorilla and promoting conservation and sustainable gorilla tourism in East and Central Africa.
Dian Fossey set up the Karisoke Research Center between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi where she conducted her extensive research about endangered gorillas. Dian Fossey spread awareness about gorilla conservation and her gorilla conservation campaign is the reason why gorillas survived extinction due to poaching and habitat loss.
Unfortunately, Dian Fossey was killed by Poachers in 1985 and her body was buried in the gorilla Park. Hiking to the graveyard of Dian Fossey is to remember and appreciate her conservation efforts that have seen gorillas survive up to the present. On your hike to the graveyard, you may meet some wild animals such as Forest Elephants, African Buffalos, golden monkeys, colobus monkeys, and mountain gorillas among others.
Mount Sabyinyo
Named after a Kinyarwanda word “Irinyo” meaning tooth, Sabyinyo has the shape of an old man’s tooth and it’s the oldest Volcano among the 8 mountains in the Virunga Massif. The summit of Mount Sabyinyo is located 3,669 meters above sea level and is shared between Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mountain slopes of Sanyinyo shelter the endangered primates and birds. Whereas Mount Sabyinyo is shared by the 3 countries, hiking is done from the Uganda side in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Other Virunga Mountains
Mount Nyiragongo
Located in Virunga National Park, Nyiragongo Mountain is an active strata volcano that last erupted in 2021. The summit of Mount Nyiragongo shelters the 25-kilometer Crater Lake which contains boiling lava. Mount Nyiragongo summit stands at 3470 meters above sea level. The 3 Days Nyiragongo hike is a suitable package for this active volcano.
An overnight stay on the slopes of Mount Nyiragongo is an adventurous opportunity to peep into the Crater Lake whose boiling magma glows in the night. Hiking safaris to Nyiragongo Volcano are on halt as well as gorilla safaris in Virunga National Park due to insecurity threats in the park. Maranatha Tours and Travel will keep you updated when tourism in Virunga National Park resumes.
Mount Nyamuragira
Also located in Virunga National Park, Mount Nyamuragira is the most active volcano in the Virunga Conservation Area which has erupted over 40 years since 1885 when the first eruption happened. Hiking Nyamuragura is so risky and travelers are not allowed to hike it. Nyamuragira is located near Goma town north of Lake Kivu. The active Volcano stands at 3058 meters above sea level
Mount Muhabura
Locally translated as “the guide”, Mount Muhabura is the third highest volcano in the Virunga Conservation Area after Mount Karisimbi and Mount Mikeno respectively. Mount Muhabura stands at 4127 meters above sea level located in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park on the borders of Uganda and Rwanda. Due to its high slope, local people used to refer to it as a guide. Mount Muhabura can be seen from different parts of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mount Mikeno
Standing at 4437 meters above sea level, Mount Mikeno ranks as the second-highest Volcano in the Virunga Conservation Area after Mount Karisimbi. Mikeno is the 13th-highest volcano in Africa! The mountain slopes are so harsh for human habitation and it is the reason behind the name Mikeno which is locally translated as” poor”
Mount Gahinga
Located in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park on the borders of Uganda and Rwanda, Mount Gahinga is situated between Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabyinyo and it’s the smallest of the three Volcanoes. Gahinga is a local word that translates as “a small pile of stones”. The summit and slopes of Mount Gahinga comprise piles of stone after which the volcano was named.
The lower forested slopes of Mount Gahinga is home to primates, birds, and reptiles. The volcano can be hiked in one day and hiking time is between 5-7 hours depending on your hiking speed. The summit of Mount Gahinga offers you excellent views of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, local communities, and other Virunga Volcanoes.
Cost of Mountain hiking in Virunga Massif
The cost of hiking depends on which Volcano you are hiking. The cost is Nyragongo hiking permit is $300 per person, $75 for Dian Fossey graveyard hike, $400 for Mount Karisimbi, $75 for Mount Bisoke $100 for Mount Muhabura, $85 for Mount Sabyinyo and $75 for Mount Gahinga. Maranatha Tours and Travels offers customized hiking tours to any volcano of your choice. You can combine more than a volcano for a more adventurous experience.
What to pack for hiking tours in Rwanda
The packing list for mountain hiking in Volcanoes National Park includes a Rain jacket, Hiking boots, Long socks, hand gloves, hat, sunglasses, Long pants, a long-sleeved blouse, headlamp, extra batteries, bottled drinking water, and insect repellent among others. A walking pole and a porter are highly recommended
Conclusively, mountain hiking is among the top adventures done in Volcanoes National Park. Contact us for a customized Rwanda hiking safari at affordable rates
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