Among the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains, Mount Bisoke is the one that most travellers climb. It is high enough to feel like a real mountain, short enough to do in a day, and at the top there is a reward that few other hikes in East Africa can match: a deep, still crater lake in the clouds. The trail also passes through some of the finest forest in Rwanda, where golden monkeys leap through the bamboo and gorillas sometimes live nearby.
The mountain
- Height: 3,711 metres above sea level.
- Location: Volcanoes National Park, on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It can be hiked only from the Rwandan side.
- Type: a dormant volcano, with a crater lake at the summit, said to be about 400 metres across. Its last recorded eruptions were in the mid-twentieth century.
- Name: Bisoke is said to come from a local word meaning “soaked in water”, a reference to the crater lakes and the mist that clings to the mountain.
The Virunga chain runs along the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo, and includes Mount Karisimbi (the highest, at 4,507 metres) and Mount Sabinyo. Bisoke sits between Karisimbi and the border, close to the place where Dian Fossey built her research camp.
The hike
The day begins early at the park headquarters at Kinigi, where rangers brief the group and assign guides. A short drive takes you to the trailhead at the foot of the mountain. The route climbs steadily:
- Farmland: the first stretch crosses potato and pyrethrum fields, with views of the volcanoes rising over the terraces.
- The park wall: a stone wall marks the edge of the park and keeps buffalo and elephants from entering the fields.
- Montane forest and bamboo: the trail enters cool, mossy forest and steep bamboo zones, where golden monkeys and duikers may be seen. If a gorilla family is near the trail, rangers may allow a short, quiet stop, but you may not leave the path.
- Hagenia and giant lobelia: higher up, the trees give way to twisted hagenia, giant lobelias and mist.
- The summit: the final scramble brings you to the crater rim and the lake, often wrapped in cloud, with the Congolese side beyond.
The climb usually takes about four hours and the descent two, so expect a full day of six to eight hours including breaks. It is a real hike: steep, often muddy and at altitude. There is also a shorter route to a smaller lake, taking two to three hours.
What to bring and how to prepare
- Waterproof jacket and layers: the summit can be cold, wet and windy.
- Sturdy hiking boots with good grip, plus gaiters if you have them.
- Gloves for the many steep sections, when you grab bamboo or roots.
- Water and lunch: a packed lunch is usually provided.
- A porter: hiring one is highly recommended. It helps the local economy and makes the day easier.
- A walking stick: provided at the start.
- Fitness: a moderate level is enough, but training beforehand helps. Tell us about any knee, heart or breathing concerns. See our Health & Safety page for guidance on altitude.
Wildlife and views
Golden monkeys, endangered primates of the Virunga region, are the most likely wildlife encounter. Other species include black-and-white colobus, bushbuck, buffalo and forest elephants, and there are birds of the Albertine Rift throughout. On clear days the panorama over the volcanoes, Lake Ruhondo, Lake Burera and the fields of northern Rwanda is superb, but the mountain makes its own weather, and many climbers see the crater lake half-veiled in cloud. That is part of its charm.
Combining Bisoke with other activities
Bisoke sits alongside the other activities of Volcanoes National Park: mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, the Dian Fossey grave hike (which branches from the Bisoke trail) and the ascent of Karisimbi. Because the park is popular, hiking permits and gorilla permits should be arranged well in advance. Many travellers do Bisoke on the day after gorilla trekking, as long as they have energy left.
Practical information
- Base: Musanze (Ruhengeri), about 2 to 2.5 hours by road from Kigali.
- Start: around 7 am briefing at Kinigi.
- Permit: a separate hiking permit is required. Fees change, so we confirm them when booking.
- Best time: the drier months, about June to September and December to February, though rain is possible at any time.
Hike Mount Bisoke with Offmap Safaris
We schedule Bisoke as part of a Volcanoes stay of two or three nights, together with gorillas or golden monkeys. Plan your safari, message us on WhatsApp +256 701 243 304 or email [email protected]. Please read our Responsible Travel page too.