Mount Bisoke
Mount Bisoke is situated at the boarder between the Democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda its one of the mountains in Virunga massif, Bisoke last erupted in 1957 and its summit isn’t snow capped but its covered with fog.
The Bisoke is derived from two crater lakes in which the local people named the mountaina word to mean “ Soaked with water” The crater lake of Ngezi is 11 kilometers from the summit and the crater at the summit is 400 meters in diameter and 100 meters deep..
Bisoke was formed as a result of tectonic rift valley plate’s movements, Bisoke has got two hiking trails each leading to a superb panoramic view of a crater lake the most popular trail is the one leading to the crater at the summit.
Bisoke is also the mountain in which the famous American primatologist Dian fossey built her research institute called Karisoke by combining two names of mount Karisimbi and Bisoke. You can decide to visit her tomb and learn more about her dedication to the conservation of gorillas leading to her death in December 1985.
Bisoke is characterized by bamboo forests, Hagenia Hypericum and Senecio Lobelia bush near the summit, Bisoke stands at an elevation of 3,711 meters above sea level
Climbing mount Bisoke will depend on the route used, the one leafing to the crater lake at the summit takes 6 hours, 4 hours ascending and 2 hours descending. The second route leading to Lake Ngezi 2 hours ascending to the summit and 1 hour descending.
Hiking Bisoke costs $75 including a guide at the Kinigi headquarters of volcanoes national park, the trek always starts up at 7:00 am and porters are available to carry your language at an affordable price.
Tourists hiking Bisoke will be advised to carry water proof hiking boots, rain coats, garden gloves, insect repellents, walking sticks, water, energy snacks and food.
Mount Bisoke is 3 hours drive from Kigali the capital city of Rwanda, the starting point is 40 minutes drive from the headquarters
While climbing Bisoke, tourists will be able to come across various wildlife such as; forest elephants, buffalos, duikers, bush bucks, Orchid and so much more including primates like the black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, Syke monkeys and many more.
Tourists can also increase gorilla trekking in their itinerary to mount Bisoke. There are only three countries in the world where tourists can have one hour encounter with this great apes, mountain gorillas share 98% DNA with human beings.
Forest nature walks can also be done at the mountain slopes of mount Bisoke and you can come across various species of birds some of which are endemic to this area as well as see different types of butterflies.
