Mount Karisimbi
Mount Karasimbi is an inactive volcano located in the Virunga ranges at the boarder of the Democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda, its bordered by mount Bisoke, mount Nyiragongo and mount Mikeno. Mount Karasimbi is the mountain on which the research institute of Karisoke name is derived combined with mount Bisoke
Mount Karasimbi stands at an elevation of 4,507 meters above sea level making it the highest mountain range in the Virunga massif and the 6th highest mountain in Africa and its gifted with a out crater known as Muntango with over 100 cones connected to lake Kivu.
Mount Karasimbi is always snow capped even in the dry months of the year hence it derives its name from a local word to mean “Amasimbi” referred to as “Snow “ or “white shell” in the local Kinyarwanda language, the Branca caldera is also situated in Karasimbi volcano with a lot of explosionbreccia’s, pumices and tuffs.
Hiking mount Bisoke will take two days, the hikes always start at 7:00 am in the morning to 3,700 meters where you will camp and then hike up to the summit the next da, the snow at the top of mount Karasimbi resulted from sleet and hail accumulating at high elevations due to Storms.
Mount Karasimbi volcano boasts with volcanic cores at the summit, dense forests, exotic plants, the average thickness of its lava is 40-60 meters yet the maximum thickness is over 140 meters and the longest lava flow is 12 kilometers long covering an area of 24 kilometers squared. You will feel the a lot of loose rock and volcanic ash.
Mount Karasimbi contains adventive cones with higher density than Kilimanjaro, Etna and Mauna Kea volcanoes. At the top of mount Karasimbi, tourists can view one of the worlds active volcanoes mount Nyiragongo.
The temperatures at mount Karasimbi can freeze to zero degrees early mornings and at night, the best time to hike mount Karasimbi is during the dry season of June to August where you will have clear elegant views! You are likely not to be disrupted by rain and muddy trails.
Climbing mount Karasimbi is not the only activity you can do in the area you can also include other activities in your itinerary such as:
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is he most famous activity at the Virunga ranges including this on your safari will be the best choice you can make you can also visit the Karisoke research centre the place where Dian Fossey set up for conservation of mountain gorillas.
Bird watching
The Virunga ranges boast with various species of birds some of which are endemic to the Albertine regions some of the examples of birds are: African fish eagle, spur winged lapwing, grey backed fiscal and many others
The best time to climb mount Karasimbi is in January, February, March, July, August, September and October.
Mount Karasimbi can be climbed from volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Congo.
While climbing mount Karasimbi you will be required to carry garden gloves, warm clothes, rain coats, snacks, water, insect repellents and so much more. Porters will be available to help you with your language up the mountain at an affordable price.
On the 27th of 1908, an expedition led by Von Egon Krischkstein was coming down the Branca crater and a snow storm and hail storm caused 20 of the porters to perish.
