Mountain Bisoke, this is the fourth highest mountain among the 8 mountains of the Virunga volcano massif area elevated at 3,711m, the mountain borders Rwanda the Democratic Republic of Congo. The summit of the Mountain Bisoke also known as Visoke situated in Volcanoes national park. The biggest part of this mountain is in Rwanda. The summit has a crater lake of a diameter of about 400m and 100m in depth. Mt Bisoke volcano has another crater lake named Ngezi on the side about 11km from the peak. Locals named it Bisoke which means soaked with water. The mountain has different kinds of vegetation but the biggest part is covered by bamboo forests. Mount Bisoke has a faultless conic shape, covered in green from the base to the peak with varying vegetation zones that range from a little bamboo at the bottom that ends at 2800m, through Hagenia Hypericum 2800m – 3200m, to Sub-alpine zone at the top.
The slopes of Mount Bisoke are largely covered by forest and shelter a variety of wildlife. Here we have the endangered mountain gorillas, with several habituated groups occupying territories on the mountain. The golden monkeys are the other primate on Mt. Bisoke. Both the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys are endemic to the Albertine rift valley in which the Virungas are located. Other animals include the forest elephants, buffaloes and duikers. The Mount Bisoke Crater Lake hike involves trekking to the peak of the Bisoke volcano where you are rewarded with the breathtaking scenery and views of the largest crater lake of the Virunga Mountains. This is the most popular hiking trail in Volcanoes National Park and arguably in Rwanda.
The Bisoke hike takes about 6 hours in total, 4 hours of climbing to the top and 2 hours hiking back down. It can be more or less depending on hiking fitness, pace experience, and weather of the day. The experienced fit mountain climbers and hikers get to the summit in 2 hours or less, while the non-experienced and less fit take up to 6 hours to the get to the peak. The particular hike is in fact intended to be quicker so that you get to the peak earlier to enjoy the lake for a short time and begin the descend as the weather can change any time.
The Lake Ngezi hike provides a short distance adventure than the Bisoke crater hike. It takes 4 hours depending on one’s pace. Lake Ngezi lies about 11km from the summit and was formed after an eruption in 1957. The lake overlooks Mount Gahinga. The Lake Ngezi trail can also be used for a nature walk or a birding trail where one can spend a full day recording many species of birds and wildlife. Hikers here have enough time to view wildlife as they walk. In case you meet the gorillas on you hike you are not allowed to photograph them.
Hiking Bisoke costs $75 for Foreign Non Resident (international tourist), $60 for Foreign Resident (foreigner living in Rwanda with a work permit or resident visa), $65 for east African residents, $55 for nationals and $45 for students. Porters are available for at $10 and you are encouraged to take one to support the locals.
These are the essential items for the trek; Good hiking shoes to keep you stable on the tough terrain that can get really muddy in case it rains, Rain jacket/poncho, Warm sweater. Proper outdoor clothes i.e. long pants and long sleeved shirt, Garden gloves to keep your hands warm, sunscreen, head gear to protect your hair from particles falling off trees and also keep your head warm in the chilly higher elevations, Drinking water, snack to eat and copy of your passport.
