Did you know that Mt Bisoke is also called Mt Visoke, a local word that means ‘soaked with water’?
Mount Bisoke is one of the eight volcanic mountains in the Virunga Mountains. This mountain is located on the border of Rwanda the land of a thousand hills) and DR Congo with an elevation of 3711m above the sea level. This mountains stands on itself among the other seven Volcanoes (Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Muhabura, Nyiragongo, Nyamuragira, Karisimbi and Mikeno) making it easy for enthusiasts traveller to hike. This mountain last erupted in 1957 leaving behind one of the largest crater Lakes in the Virunga Mountains. This mountain merges from rift activity on the continents tectonic plates that happens over 1000 years ago.
Mt Bisoke also called Mt Visoke is a home to Mountain gorillas since it’s between the two gorilla national parks and these are Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. This means that while on your gorilla trekking Safari, you can opt to hike Mt Bisoke. On the other hand, while on your hiking tour to Mt Visoke, you have higher chances of spotting the mountain gorillas.
Apart from the mountain gorillas, Mt Bisoke boosts diverse wildlife including the small and big mammals, beautiful unique bird species, serenity of the surrounding and the crater lakes in this amazing mountain. This mountain can be easily hiked from Volcanoes national park hence most of the tourists who love Hiking combine gorilla trekking Safari with Mt Bisoke hike. For those who love short hikes, they visit the former researcher center of Late Dian Fossey which is located between Mt Karisimbi and Mt Bisoke hence called Karisoke research center after making a combination of two mountain names.
Hiking Mount Bisoke is one of the adventure activities in Rwanda and it can be done to any hiker. The overall Hiking experience can take about 8 to 9 hours including several stopovers of viewing crater lakes, primates, stunning sceneries, and the unique alpine vegetation. Avery tourists is required to pay $75 for hiking permits per person. In Case you have extra luggage, you have an option of hiring a porter that costs an extra of $15.
Mt Bisoke Hiking Safari can take about 2 to 4 days and this will be a complete gorilla and hiking safari. While in your safari, we recommend to give gifts to the community, tip the Porter’s and your guides and more. This is the way you give back to the community and appreciate the work the locals. In the same way, you can buy some of their handmade crafts inform of the souvenirs.
What are the requirements and equipment for trekking Mt Bisoke?
They are quite many things you need while on your safari to hike Mt Bisoke and while on this article, we will talk about the most essentials such as the right clothing. Long pair of parts, long sleeved shirts, head gears, rain gears like the rain coat, sweater to keep you warm among others.
Woolen hand gloves are also important as they protect you from cuts and other injuries, light Hiking shoes, packed energy snack and water to keep you strong, camera and a pair of Binoculars and many more others. Our team will advise you more on what to carry depending on the season either dry or wet season.
Best time to hike Mt Bisoke.
All time is good to hike Mt Bisoke and this means you can hike any time of the year. Rwanda has two wet and dry season in a year whereby between March to May and September to December are the rains while in June to September and December to February which is a dry season. Therefore, the dry season is the best time to take part in hiking Mt Bisoke since the weather is highly favorable.
We are expert planners of African safaris and taking you to Mt Bisoke will be one of the best choices you will make, what you need to do is to book a safari and we take you for a retreat in this mountain jungle.
