Mount Karisimbi in Rwanda

Introduction

Mount Karisimbi is the highest volcano of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga massif and it is located in Rwanda in Musanze province in Volcanoes national park. Mount Karisimbi is 4,507 meters above the sea level, Mount Karisimbi is in the middle of Mount Mikeno, Nyiragongo and Mountain Bisoke. Mountain Karisimbi has got 2 crater lakes at its summit and the largest Crater Lake is Mutango. The name Karisimbi is derived from the Kinyarwanda dialect which means a white shell and this always forms at the top of the mountain during dry season.

Hiking Mountain Karisimbi

Mountain Karisimbi hike starts with registration at Volcanoes national park headquarters at Kinigi and this is always in the morning hours at 7am where the visitors are briefed about the hiking this massive mountain. The location of the mountain in Volcanoes national park will give you an opportunity to encounter golden monkeys, birds, forest elephants and buffaloes, and on a good day you are likely to meet mountain gorillas since the park is a home to mountain gorillas as well.

As you gain heights during the hike, you will enjoy cruising through green vegetation, eye catching volcanic features, thick forests and muddy terrain which will give you the best experience making your hiking experience a memorable one. Hiking mountain Karisimbi is amazing during dry season in the months of June to October and December to march, this is when the trails are dry enough for easy navigation, however in the wet season some hikers go ahead to hike Mountain Karisimbi during wet season and this is because there is no congestion in the wet season and also lodges and hotels give discounts.

For one to engage in any hiking trip, you need to be physically fit and should be well prepared for the great heights and should be able to endure steep slopes and muddy terrain during hiking. If you want to hike Mountain Karisimbi, contact Omangwa Safaris which is well experienced and a reliable local company to organize for you your trip. We shall secure hiking permit for you, camping tents, advise the best time to hike, arrange porters, prepare camping tents and give you extra assistance just from the start of the safari to the end, and for you to complete the hiking trip, you need 2 days hiking Mountain Karisimbi unlike mountain Bisoke which is completed in 1 day and just 1 day Hiking mountain Bisoke is enough to ascend and descend.

The hiking starting point is at the foothills of mountain Bisoke which is adjacent to mountain Karisimbi, during hiking, the hikers always stop at the height of 3,700 meters where they camp, dinner is always prepared and they take a rest to complete hiking the next day and in the next day. The hikers have to wake up early morning at 5am, grab breakfast and embark on hiking and they should be at the summit in an hour’s time where you have to enjoy breathtaking views, take pictures and videos then descend to the starting point where you will meet your driver guide who will transfer you back to Kigali. While at the summit expect to have spectacular views of mountain Nyamuragira, Muhabura and Nyiragongo and Democratic Republic of Congo.

What to carry when going to Hike Mount Karisimbi?

The park management that s Volcanoes national park management provides ranger guides and porters who always assist the hikers to navigate. However it is a responsibility of the hikers to come along with the following

 You should carry hiking shoes

 Waterproof jacket

 A hat

 Hiking stick

 A tent if you are coming with your own tent not the services of the tour company

 A sleeping bag if not booked with Omangwa safaris

 Packed food

 Porters

Mount Karisimbi hiking permits

You can get a hiking permit through Omangwa Safaris which is a reliable local company and they will respond swiftly to your call, you can also contact Rwanda Development Board or acquire the permit from the park headquarters however it is always better to book the permit in advance since permits are sometimes sold out. Hiking Mount Karisimbi is $400 per person, hiring a porter is $20 and here is Omangwa Safaris is here to give you a hand in arranging the entire trip for you, right from booking the permits, arranging transportation to and from, accommodation, meals and other travel advises and if you have enough zeal, you can combine hiking and gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park with hiking Mount Karisimbi.