A Mount. Karisimbi hiking tour in Volcanoes National Park, northwestern Rwanda is a delightful and memorable adventure you can experience. Mount. Karismbi in the Albertine Rift region is a dormant volcano and one of the eight volcanoes found in the Virunga ranges. Other volcanoes in the Virunga Massif are Mikeno, Muhabura, Sabinyo, Nyiragongo, Nyamuragira, Bisoke and Gahinga. With its summit at around 4,507 meters above sea level, Mount Karisimbi is the highest peak in both Rwanda and in the Virunga Massif.
Situated at the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the peak is named after the Rwandese word ‘Amasimbi,’ which translates to ‘white shell.’ This is because the peak has always had a white cap of snow and hail due to frequent storms. Besides this amazing scene, Mount. Karisimbi has various vegetation types that enhances its beauty and house a myriad wildlife species. The vegetation includes evergreen montane bamboo forest, subtropical montane forest, evergreen cloudforest, and altotropical grassland and woodland.
There are also a variety of wild animals that can be found on Mount. Karisimbi. These include buffalos, bushbucks, golden monkeys, duikers, blue monkeys, elephants and the critically endangered mountain gorillas. There are also numerous species of birds with some being endemic to the Albertine Rift region. These birds include collared apalis, Grauer’s rush warbler, regal sunbird, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori double collared sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, strange weaver, and stripe-breasted tit.
How a Mount. Karisimbi hiking tour is done
Generally, the scenic Mount. Karisimbi hiking tour takes two days and starts at around 07:00 with a short session at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters conducted by a park ranger. You will be taken to the starting point on the slopes of Karisimbi. Then, you will be led by an experienced hiking guide to ascend the mountain towards the first base camp (3,700 meters). This takes around 6 hours, and it is here where you will refresh, have dinner and spend the night to complete your adventure the following day.
On day two, you will have breakfast before you complete your hike to the summit (4,507 meters). Though this takes around an hour, it presents a more challenging hiking adventure due to the steepness and slippery trails you must pass through to reach the summit. Upon reaching the summit, you will have the best views of the birds, golden monkeys, crater on Mount Bisoke and other volcanoes including Nyiragongo and Mikeno. Take lovely photos of the scenery before descending back to the starting point, which takes around 6 hours.
Traveling for a Mount. Karisimbi hiking tour
Accessing Mount. Karisimbi is done via Volcanoes National Park especially at Musanze. Reaching Volcanoes National Park from Kigali city could be done either by road or air transport. By road, expect to cover around 104 kilometers from Kigali north-westwards on a scenic journey that takes 2 to 3 hours if the roads and traffic are okay. You could use private means by hiring a comfortable vehicle from Monteero Safaris. We also offer a professional driver guide, who is fluent in English and French to ensure that your transfer is intriguing. Select from our variety of vehicles, including 4-wheel safari car, saloon car and minibus.
You might as well go by air transportation if you are eager for a faster and shorter option that promises aerial views of Rwanda’s brilliant scenery. You will board a luxury helicopter from Kigali International Airport to Musanze airstrip near Volcanoes National Park. The scheduled flight normally takes 30 minutes and should be booked in advance. Once you arrive at Musanze, our representative will be waiting for you, and ready to take you to either your booked accommodation or Volcanoes National Park headquarters for registration and briefing.
Best time to travel for a Mount. Karisimbi hiking tour
A Mount. Karisimbi hiking tour can be done at any time of the year, however if you are eager for a tour during a relatively warm and dry time choose the dry season. In Mount. Karisimbi, such weather conditions are experienced twice each year, during the months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December. During these months the hiking trails are generally drier or less slippery thus safer to traverse. The chances of rainfall are also minimal thus providing you an uninterrupted hiking adventure.
Packing for Mount. Karisimbi hiking tour
Packing the right gear or items guarantees a perfect tour experience on Mount. Karisimbi. The following are some of the most essential items to bring,
- Light long-sleeved shirt and a pair of trousers
- Scarf
- Hiking poles
- Light rain jacket
- A pair of garden gloves
- A pair of waterproof boots
- Warm sweater
- Camera and extra batteries
- Binoculars
- Insect repellent against mosquitoes and other biting insects
- Sun protection gear including sunglasses, UV lotion and hat/cap
- Snack box to carry energy snacks
- Recyclable water bottle
- Torch
- Sleeping bag
- First aid kit
- Backpack
- Extra cash for hiring porters and any emergency expenditures