Mount Bisoke Volcano

Mount Bisoke also known as Visoke is an active volcano in the Virunga Mountains of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift.

It straddles the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but the summit is located in Rwanda. It is located approximately 35 km northeast of the town of Goma and adjacent Lake Kivu.

Activities to do at Mount Bisoke

Hiking to the Crater Lakes

Mount Bisoke is the most hiked of all the Virunga Volcanoes because of the two stunning crater lakes, breathtaking mountain scenery and relatively easy trek. The volcano has two major hiking trails each leading to one of the Crater Lakes. The most popular of the trails is the one to the Crater Lake at the summit. It is in total a 6 hour hike, that is, 4 hours to the summit and 2 hours back.

The second trails leads to the second Crater Lake, Lake Ngezi, and this is much shorter, and takes only about 3 hours, with 2 hours to the Crater Lake and 1 hour back.

Both are one day hikes, relatively easy that even the non-experienced hikers can take on. The hikes also offer chances of encountering the Mountain Gorillas, sighting the Golden Monkeys, plus a range of wildlife and breathtaking mountain scenery.

Gorilla Trekking

Mount Bisoke is home to habituated Mountain Gorilla Groups and you stand a good chance of encountering these at the start of your ascent up the mountain.Travelers can enjoy one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife adventures, that is, trekking the Mountain Gorillas.

Dian Fossey Tomb Site

Trekking the trail to dian fossey tomb and karisoke research center, Dian Fossey was a wildlife researcher & renowned primatologist that dedicated her life to conserving the Mountain Gorillas. The survival of these greats is so much credited to her efforts for which she paid the ultimate price. She was buried in the wild of Mount Bisoke, at her research center, alongside the Mountain Gorillas.

A hiking trail leads to her tomb and Kirisoke Research Center and it is roughly 2 hours hiking up steep and slippery slopes, where you have a chance of sighting Mountain Gorillas, Golden Monkeys, numerous birds, & wildlife along the trail.

Birding & Forest Walks

Explore the trails through the mountain vegetation for a rewarding birding experience. Volcanoes National Park has about 165 species of birds, of which 17 are endemic to the area. There is an array of wildlife to encounter including Mountain Gorillas, Golden Monkeys, Forest Elephants, Buffaloes, orchids and other lots of unique mountain vegetation

What you need to pack when hiking Mount Bisoke

A rain pocho

Hiking boots

Day pack for your water and lunch

Hiking trousers and long sleeved shirt to protect from the stinging nettles

Insect repellent

Sunscreen