Rising to 4,507 metres, Mount Karisimbi is the highest of the Virunga volcanoes and the highest mountain in Rwanda. It is a demanding two-day hike through five vegetation zones, with a night in a high camp and a summit that often sits above the clouds. For fit travellers who want more than a day walk, it is the most rewarding mountain challenge in the country.
The mountain
- Height: 4,507 metres (about 14,787 feet), among the highest peaks in this part of Africa.
- Location: Volcanoes National Park in north-west Rwanda, on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Type: a dormant volcano, younger than its neighbour Sabinyo, the oldest of the range.
- Name: the name comes from a local word for white shells or snow, because the summit is sometimes dusted with hail or frost.
- Setting: Karisimbi stands between Mount Bisoke and the Congolese border, and Dian Fossey’s research camp was built on its saddle.
The two-day hike
The route is normally done as an overnight hike with a guide, rangers and porters:
Day 1: up to the camp
You meet at Kinigi for a briefing, then drive to the trailhead. The trail climbs through farmland and into dense bamboo, then through the twisted hagenia and hypericum forest of the mid-slopes. The hike to the camp takes about six hours, and you sleep at around 3,700 metres, in a basic camping area. Weather at this altitude is cold and damp, and a mountain camp is simple, so a warm sleeping bag is important.
Day 2: summit and down
Setting out early, you climb through the afro-alpine zone, with giant lobelias and groundsel, and up the last steep slopes to the summit. On a clear day the view over the Virunga chain, the Rwandan hills and the Congolese plains is extraordinary; more often the summit is wrapped in mist, and part of the reward is the sense of standing above the clouds. The descent to the trailhead takes about six hours, and the whole trek requires stamina.
Wildlife and plants
The lower slopes are home to golden monkeys, buffalo, duikers and sometimes forest elephants, and mountain gorillas live on the flanks, though hikers do not go looking for them. Higher, the vegetation is unlike anything else in East Africa: giant lobelias and tree groundsels stand like sculptures in the mist, and Albertine Rift birds such as sunbirds dart between them.
Is it for you?
Karisimbi is a serious hike. You should be comfortable walking for six hours or more on two consecutive days, on steep and muddy ground, at altitude. The nights are cold, and altitude can cause headaches or nausea. Please read our Health & Safety page and tell us about any medical conditions. Porters, who are drawn from local communities, are strongly recommended for carrying camping gear and part of your load.
What to bring
- Warm sleeping bag and layers, including a hat and gloves.
- Waterproof jacket and trousers.
- Broken-in hiking boots.
- Head torch, water bottle and snacks.
- Personal medication, sunscreen and trekking poles.
Camping equipment is usually provided by the park or a supporting operator, and we arrange it.
Practical information
- Base: Musanze (Ruhengeri), reached from Kigali in about 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Best time: the driest months are about June to September and December to February, when the trail is easier and views are more likely.
- Permits: a hiking permit is required and, because numbers are limited, should be booked in advance. Fees change, so we confirm them when booking.
- Combining: most travellers do Bisoke first as a test hike, or add Karisimbi to a gorilla trek. Allow an extra rest day.
Climb Karisimbi with Offmap Safaris
We plan Karisimbi as part of a Rwanda volcano stay of three to four nights. Plan your safari, message us on WhatsApp +256 701 243 304 or email [email protected]. See our Responsible Travel page.