“I’ve climbed with some of the best climbers in the world, more importantly, to me, they are some of the best people in the world. That’s another reason why I climb”.- Jim Wickwire
OPTION 1: CLIMBING KARISIMBI ( 4,507m ) 3 days
Karisimbi is rising at an elevation of about 4,507m above sea level is a beautiful, majestic mount Karisimbi. Karisimbi is a stratovolcano which is the highest of the eight major volcanoes of the Virunga massif and the 5th highest mountain in Africa.
The name Karisimbi is derived from the word ‘Karisimbi’ in Kinyarwanda which means “white shell”, referring to the white-capped summit which is often seen on top of this volcano.
Climbing Mt Karisimbi is a strenuous yet very rewarding 2 days hike. It is known for its exotic plants in its four belts of vegetation, from the dense forest at its base to the barren volcanic core at the summit. A hike to Karisimbi’s summit is not an ordinary one, but also affords sights of several bird varieties, primates like monkeys and maybe Gorillas since the volcano lies in the volcanoes national park
OPTION : 2 CLIMBING BISOKE ( 3,711m ) 2Days
Bisoke, like all of the peaks in the Virunga Mountain Range, is a volcano created by rift action on the forming divergent boundary of the East African Rift which is slowly bisecting the African plate. The mountain reached a height of 3,711 meters (12,175 ft) after its last eruption in 1957. Bisoke has the largest crater lake of the range.
Day1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
We will meet at UTC at 2 Pm and drive to musanze to head to Red rocks for overnight camping.
Day2: Karisimbi climbing
The climb starts early in the morning taking 6 hours and involves navigating through the Bisoke side before reaching the first stopping place at an altitude of 3,700 meters for overnight camping.
Day3: Hike to the Summit and Descend down
After an early morning breakfast, you will hike to the summit of Mountain Karisimbi and this will take 3 to 4 hours. During the hike up the mountain you need to be prepared for the trail being muddy in places but at the end of your highland travel, you will be surely overwhelmed by a transcendent view, with Nyiragongo to the west, Bisoke to the east, and Mikeno to the north.
After enjoying your time on the summit, we will descend back to the camp at 3700m then headed back down to the park gate – this decent takes about 6 hours. On arrival to the trail head, we will go for lunch and later drive back to KigalI.
CLIMBING KARISIMBI ( 4507m )
VISITOR | COST/PRICE | DAYS OF STAY | ACCOMODATION | MEALS |
INTERNATIONAL | 400$ | 3 | CAMPING | CARRY YOUR SNACK |
RESIDENT | 300$ | 3 | CAMPING | CARRY YOUR SNACK |
EAC | 200$ | 3 | CAMPING | CARRY YOUR SNACK |
RWANDAN | 50,000FW | 3 | CAMPING | CARRY YOUR SNACK |
CLIMBING BISOKE ( 3,711m )
VISITOR | COST/PRICE | DAYS OF STAY | ACCOMODATION | MEALS |
INTERNATIONAL | 200$ | 2 | CAMPING | CARRY YOUR SNACK |
RESIDENT | 185$ | 3 | CAMPING | CARRY YOUR SNACK |
RRWANDAN/EAC | 30,000FW | 2 | CAMPING | CARRY YOUR SNACK |