Mountaineering In Rwanda : Rwanda is known as the “land of a thousand hills“, a phrase that describes the country’s stunning landscapes and justifies the existence of several hills and mountain peaks that are worth exploring. All mountain climbers and hikers, who dare to take on this task, can enjoy magnificent experiences when mountaineering in Rwanda.
VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a popular location for mountain climbing. Mountaineering is also available in Rwanda’s well-known gorilla location on the slopes of the country’s highest mountains, Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. One of Rwanda’s four primary protected areas is Volcanoes National Park. It is situated in Rwanda’s northwestern region.
The park includes five of the Virunga volcanoes, including Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhavura, which are shared with Uganda, and Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Mikeno, which are wholly contained inside the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s territory.
The Volcanoes National Park is where mountaineering is done in Rwanda, and the two mountains to climb are Bisoke and Karisimbi. The endangered mountain gorillas of Rwanda are well-known residents of the slopes of these mountains.
For the Kirisimbi hikers, climbing a volcano in the national park of volcanoes is challenging, exhausting, and fun all at once. A brief introduction to the experience is given at Kinigi, the park’s headquarters, before beginning any mountaineering in the Volcanoes National Park.
Before starting their hike, hikers and mountain climbers must show their proper travel passports and hiking permits. Hikers are transported to the beginning point of their mountaineering expedition around the two mountains in Volcano National Park following a brief lecture.
HIKING MOUNTAIN KARISIMBI
Climbing Mountain Karisimbi: Mountain Karisimbi is a stratovolcano located Between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At 4,507 meters, this peak is the highest among the Virunga volcanoes and the eleventh highest in Africa. Although climbing Mount Karisimbi may seem like a difficult and tiresome task, the benefits of the journey are enormous. Views of Mount Muhavura, Mount Nyiragongo, Nyamuragira volcano, the park’s lovely foliage, and forest are rewarded for the climb.
At the foot of mountain Bisoke is where the climb to mountain Karisimbi begins. It takes roughly 7 hours to reach the mountain’s summit. In order to prepare for the walk to the top, a camp for overnight stays is built. Climbers can take a nap here before the next day. It takes roughly 6 hours to return from Mount Karisimbi and reach the mountain’s base. Porters are constantly on hand to assist with carrying large baggage and other items. Hiking mountain Karisimbi can be enjoyable because of the Dian Fossey Grave, animals, and a distant sight of the mountain gorillas.
HIKING MOUNTAIN BISOKE
Volcano Mountain Bisoke is now active. It is situated halfway between Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park. Mount Bisoke’s top is entirely within the borders of Rwanda. It has a height of 3711 meters, and alpine meadows and equatorial rainforest predominate on its slopes.
One thing remains true: Hiking Bisoke is simpler than hiking Mountain Karisimbi. About 6 hours are needed to complete the ascent of Mount Bisoke, and it takes much less time to return from the peak.
BEST TIME FOR MOUNTAINEERING IN RWANDA
Hiking in Rwanda is possible in both the dry and wet seasons. The months of June through August and December through February are considered the dry seasons because they have higher levels of sunshine and less rainfall. The optimum time to climb is during the dry season when the trails are dry and less difficult. The remaining months—March, April, May, and September, October, and November—are considered the wet seasons. During these months, there are lots of rainfall, which makes the hiking challenging and the trails extremely muddy. But if you’re up for the effort of a strenuous hike, the wet season may prove to be the finest time to hike because of the best views.
WHAT TO PREPARE FOR THE HIKE
- Hiking shoes
- Long pants and long sleeved shirt to protect from stinging nettles
- Rain jacket/poncho
- Gaiters
- Garden gloves
- Camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat) for Mount Karisimbi hike
