Mount Bisoke Hiking Guide

Mount Bisoke (Visoke) lies along the Rwanda and Congo border in Volcanoes National Park. From Goma town, Bisoke is just 35km and is also located near the beautiful Lake, one of the biggest freshwater lakes in Rwanda and East Africa. Visoke’s summit is found on the Rwandan side and is among the spectacular 5 Virunga Mountain ranges located in Volcanoes National Park. Bisoke Volcano is a dormant Virunga volcano and forms part of the 8 (eight) Virunga Massifs.

In terms of heights, Mount Bisoke is set at 3711 meters, and at its summits, there exist a scenic Crater Lake. At the Visoke Summits, expect to experience the breathtaking views of the surrounding and crater. But as you ascend to the top, expect to navigate through the varying vegetation zones, including the lobelia bushes, hagenia hypericum forest, bamboo forests, and alpine meadows. The Northern base of Mt. Bisoke Volcano is composed of 2 small cones, which formed following the last eruption in 1957.

At the summits (peak) of Bisoke Volcano

The Bisoke Volcano features Lake Ngezi, a Crater Lake, and upon arrival, expect to embark on a short walk around it. Bisoke Volcano takes a conic shape, displaying its typical volcanic appearance from the bottom to the summit. The Bisoke usually experiences fog that fills its summits.

Hiking/trekking to the summits of Bisoke

Trekking to the summits of Bisoke can last for about 8 –hours, with 6 hours dedicated for ascending and descending takes a shorter period, about 2 hour. Just a single day is adequate to climb and descend from the summits of Bisoke Volcano. The length of hiking time may differ depending on the visitors’ fitness level and the current weather conditions.

The trekking length in terms of time may vary depending on your hiking skills/experiences. The beauty about it is that the hikes are accommodative to both first timers and seasoned climbers.

Hiking adventures to the Bisoke summits begin after a briefing at Kinigi. At Kinigi, you get to know the guidelines or safety measures to follow during the hike. During the session in the morning, you can be allocated an experienced guide. The guides are often present at the park offices to lead you through the guided trek to the Visoke Volcano. After getting briefed on the Bisoke volcano trek, you can be picked up from the park offices and transferred to where your actual trekking is intended to start with walking sticks. The walking sticks can be obtained at the respective lodges or park offices.

The Updated Mount Bisoke Hiking Fees

The hiking fees for Bisoke climbing adventure varies depending on the category of visitors and other amenities that add on the cost of the final itinerary. Other essential factors that influence the cost hiking Bisoke Volcano include cost of travel (transportation), accommodation (safari lodges, hotels, or camps).

Generally, foreign non-residents (international tourists) are charged USD 75 per person for Bisoke hiking. Foreign residents can book hiking Bisoke permits/licenses at USD 65 per tourist, and Rwandans are charged as low as USD 55 per hiker. The East African community residents have a chance to engage in the hike to the summits of the Visoke after paying hiking fee of USD 60 per visitor.

Hiring a porter for Bisoke Volcano Adventure

The porter services are recommended, especially if you intend to go with heavy luggage. The porter fee ranges from USD 15 to 20. Utilizing the porter services allows you to embark on the Visoke climbing adventure without being disorganized or inconvenienced. The porter can assist you carry all the luggage, especially the cameras and other equipment. By so doing, it offers you room to focus on the trek to your favorite summits of Bisoke Mountain.

The best time to get to Bisoke for hiking tours

Planning to enjoy the Bisoke volcano hike, and you are unsure when the best time is? To experience the breathtakingly stunning Bisoke Volcano and its wonders, the peak dry season offers the most ideal weather conditions for all hikers/climbers. The hikes can be conducted during the long dry season, which runs from June to September, while the short dry spell for hiking Bisoke begins from December to February.

Accommodation to consider for an overnight stay in Rwanda’s Volcanoes

List of safari lodges –accommodation options to include on your Bisoke hiking itinerary include Hotel Muhabura, Bisate Lodge, Le Palme Hotel, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Nest Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Gorilla Lodge, and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

Getting to Bisoke from Kigali/Uganda

Depart from the heart of Kigali for Volcanoes National Park, Ruhengeri, which takes between 2 and 3 hours of driving. Access to Volcanoes is excellent using a 4×4 tourist vehicle.

How to go about Mount Bisoke hiking

Book the Mt. Bisoke hiking tour and enjoy 3 days as you experience this scenic nature feature. The 3-Day Mount Bisoke tour takes you on a successful trek with an experienced guide. The hike will focus on the summits of Bisoke, and the first phase is likely to take about 6 hours, and descending takes 2 hours. Combined together, the whole hiking excursion on the Bisoke Volcano covers about 8 hours.

Day 1: Pick up & connect to Ruhengeri to hike Bisoke Volcano

The first day involves pick up and transfer in a 4×4 tourist vehicle to Volcanoes National Park. On the day of pick up, there is a possibility of visiting some of the sites in Kigali City, including the Kigali genocide, craft shops, and any close historical sites. After the city tour, you drive off to Volcanoes National Park located in the Northern Province, and getting there takes between 2 and 3 hours of driving. Arrive in time to check in your respective places of stay.

Day 2: Ascend & descend Mt Bisoke

Early in the morning, enjoy a heavy breakfast and proceed to Kinigi to meet officials from Volcanoes National Park. Get briefed and later, you connect to starting point for your hiking excursion. Today, you have about 8 hours set to concentrate on the round hiking in Mt Bisoke. The first 6 hours will be dedicated on ascending to the summits, and 2 hours you can use them to descend to the base and meet the driver guide. Transfer to the safari camp or lodge for relaxation as you wait for the following day’s program.

Day 3: Golden monkey tracking (optional) & departure

After breakfast, you can decide to have an addition of golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park or check out and return to Kigali. Once you have reached Kigali, you will be dropped off at the airport or hotel if you still have other things to finish up in Rwanda.

End of Bisoke Volcano hiking tour

What is included in the Bisoke Volcano Hike cost?

The cost of the Bisoke volcano trek covers hiking permits, accommodation, free bottled drinking water, transportation, meals, and others.

What is excluded from the Bisoke Volcano hike cost?

The Bisoke volcano hike excludes airfares, tipping, laundry, shopping, visas, all optional activities, and travel insurance etc.