Mount Bisoke Hiking in Rwanda

Mount Bisoke Hike

Standing at 3,711 meters above sea level, Mount Bisoke is possibly the most scaled peak in Volcanoes National Park.

Although the hike up the mountain tests your physical fitness and stamina, the trek is well worth it thanks to the superb views of Lake Ngezi in the crater atop the volcanic peak.

You will begin your day at 7.00am at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, where you will be assigned your guide before a half-hour drive to the start point for your trek, at an elevation of 2,700m. You will pass through Bisate Village, with its picturesque potato farms.

At this stage, you also have the option of renting trekking clothing including raincoats, gumboots, and gloves, which are important for navigating this potentially muddy terrain. Those seeking assistance can request a porter to help carry any equipment along the way.

Your trek should take about 6 to 7 hours to complete if you are not used to scaling mountains; of this time, 2 or 3 hours is spent returning to the base.

More experienced of hikers may complete the trek in a total time of 4 or 5 hours. According to regulations, hikers must reach the summit by 2:00 p.m. You must turn back at that time, even if you have not made it to the top.

During the ascent, you’ll be trekking through a number of different vegetation zones. On the lower slopes you’ll pass through bamboo forest, the preferred food of golden monkeys and mountain gorillas.

As you climb up to the higher slopes you will come to a band of Hagenia forest, which then opens out to Lobelia bush as you approach the summit, after about three hours. A wide variety of birds are found on the slopes of Mt Bisoke, so keep your binoculars handy.

The summit is dominated by a large crater lake, and on a clear day the views are far reaching. This is a great place to relax and enjoy your lunch, before starting your descent.

Age limit: You need to be at least 15 years old for this trek and the hike cost US$75 per person.