RWANDA MOUNTAINEERING
- July 28, 2024
- Posted by: chosen@202q
- Category: Prepare To Travel Tips
RWANDA MOUNTAINEERING
Mountain Hiking Rwandans refer to the country as Bisoke, “the land of a thousand hills,” which is a well-known expression used to describe the stunning scenery of the nation and provides justification for the existence of several hills and mountain tops that are worth seeing. For those who dare to take on this challenge, mountain climbing and hiking in Rwanda provide breathtaking experiences.
Volcanoes National Park
In Rwanda, mountain climbing is done in the national park of Volcanoes. The well-known Rwandan gorilla location also provides mountaineering on the flanks of its highest peaks, Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke.
Volcanoes National Park is one of the four primary protected areas in Rwanda. It is situated in Rwanda’s northwest region.
Five Virunga volcanoes are included in the park; these include the mountains Gahinga, Muhavura, and Karisimbi, which are shared with Uganda, Bisoke, and Mikeno, which are situated solely on Democratic Republic of the Congo territory.
The two mountains that hikers can tackle in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park are Bisoke and Karisimbi. The renowned mountain gorillas of Rwanda live on the slopes of these mountains, in risk of extinction.
Volcano climbing is an exciting, tiresome, and joyful experience for Karisimbi hikers in Volcanoes National Park. A briefing regarding the experience is given at Kinigi, the park headquarters, before mountaineering in Volcanoes National Park begins.
Before hiking may start, hikers and mountain climbers must show their hiking licenses and acceptable travel documentation. Hikers are transported to the beginning of the mountaineering route around the two mountains in Volcanoes National Park following a briefing.
Trekking up the Karisimbi Mountain A stratovolcano is Karisimbi.
It is situated between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. With a height of 4,507 meters, this mountain is the tallest of the 11 African volcanoes and the highest of the Virunga range. Although climbing Mount Karasimbi can seem like a laborious and tiresome task, the benefits are immense. The climb offers breathtaking views of the park’s lush woodland and flora, as well as Mount Muhavura, Mount Nyiragongo, and the Nyamuragira volcano.
At the foot of Mount Bisoke begins the journey to Mount Karisimbi. Reaching the mountain’s summit requires roughly seven hours of climbing. As a result, a provision camp is built for a sleep-over prior to the actual summit walk. Climbers can relax here in preparation for the next day. Reaching the mountain’s roots after descending from Mount Karisimbi takes roughly six hours. Porters are always willing to assist with anything, from heavy luggage to other tasks.
Hiking Mount Karisimbi can be rewarding because of the Dian Fossey cemetery, animals, and a distant view of the mountain gorillas.
Climbing Bisoke Mountain
Volcano Mountain Bisoke is now active. It is situated between Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park. Mount Bisoke’s top is wholly contained by Rwanda. At 3711 meters high, alpine meadows and equatorial rainforest predominate on the slopes.
There is no denying that hiking Bisoke is less difficult than hiking Mount Karisimbi. It takes over six hours to trek to the summit of Mount Bisoke, although it only takes slightly less time to return from the starting position.
The mountaineering season
For the finest hiking experience in Rwanda, especially on the mountain Karasimbi with its steep slopes and muddy, treacherous pathways, it is advised to visit during the dry season. In Rwanda, mountain climbing is possible all year, even during the wet season.