Mountain Bisoke Hike in Rwanda, hike to the Dian Fossey Tombs in Rwanda
Located in the Virunga Mountains of the Albertine Rift and the Western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley, Mount Bisoke is an active Volcano that spans across the border of DR Congo and Rwanda which has the Summit.
The Volcano is locates about 35 kms North East of the prominent Goma Town overlooking the beautiful Lake Kivu. The Volcano was formed by rift action hence creating a different border of the East African Rift and is elevated at 3,711 metres with a vast Crater Lake. It can be viewed in two different National Parks i.e Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and Virunga National Park DR Congo.
The steep slopes of the Volcano include Equatorial Rain Forest and Alpine Meadows and these are covered with Fog inhabiting the Mountain Gorillas. It comprises of the Karisoke Research Center that was founded by the popular Dian Fossey a known Primatologist that gave up her life saving the lives of the Mountain Gorillas that were hunted severely those days for meat, illegal trade etc.
Mountain Bisoke Volcano Hiking Process in Rwanda
Mount Bisoke Volcano is the most prominently hiked Volcano among all the Virunga Ranges due to the existence of 2 diverse crater lakes and less challenging hikes compared to the rest of the Volcanoes.
There are two different trails along the Volcano that lead to each of the Lake with the most prominent being one that leads to the lake at the summit. The entire hiking process will take you 6 hours i.e 4 hiking to the top and 2 descending.
The second trail leads you to the other Crater Lake i.e Lake Ngezi and will take you a period of 3 hours i.e 2 hours hiking and 1 hour coming back. Both take one day and can be hiked by anyone interested offering exceptional views at Wildlife animals, Golden Monkeys and Mountain Gorillas.
Things To Do along Mount Bisoke Volcano in Rwanda
Gorilla Trekking
You can go Gorilla Trekking around the forest vegetation on the Volcano as this will enable you watch the rare species of Mountain Gorillas enjoying their natural vegetation.
Visit to the Dian Fossey Tomb Site
The tombs belong to the prominent Primatologist Dian Fossey who gave up her life to save the rare species of Mountain Gorillas that were threatened at the time. There is a hiking trail that leads you to the Karisoke Research Center where you can learn more about her dedication to save the lives of the Gorillas as well as spot her tomb. This will take you a period of 2 hours and along the way, you will see Golden Monkeys, Mountain Gorillas and various bird species.
Bird Watching
The slopes and vegetation along the volcano also offer unique bird watching experiences to all avid birders around the world. You will watch numerous brilliant species flying around the trees along the slopes as well as wildlife animals like the buffaloes, Forest Elephants, orchids, etc.