Did you know that Mount Karisimbi is the tallest among the eight Volcano mountains in the Virunga Massif and the fifth tallest in Africa?
Mount Karisimbi is an inactive Volcano located on the border between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo in the Albertine rift valley. Although this mountain can be viewed in Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo, it stands at 4507m above sea level and has served as one of the major tourist attractions in these 3 countries. You can have a great view of Mount. Karisimbi while in Mgahinga national park on your gorilla trekking adventure if the weather is clear in Uganda, Rwanda, but more clearly from Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in DR Congo.
Since this mountain is located in Virunga Mountain ranges, it is a great home of flora and fauna hence good for research and tourism. There is much to discover ranging from mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, different bird species with some endemic only to rift valley region and unique plant species. Mountain Karisimbi gets its name from the local word “Amasimbi” meaning snow since it has snow on the summit hence local people termed it so.
Mount. Karisimbi neighbors other mountains such as Bisoke, Mount Mikeno and Mount Mikeno. This is a historical mountain where the Karisoke research centre is derived after a combination of mountain Karisimbi and Mount. Bisoke names. This great gorilla research centre is located between these two mountains in Volcanoes national park, created by a fallen primatologist Dian Fossey, who introduced gorilla habituation & research in the region.
Hiking Mount. Karisimbi.
Amazingly, Mount. Karisimbi is gifted with a crater lake called lake Muntangano and Branca Caldera. The main activities that take place here are hiking and gorilla trekking. Hiking the mountain takes 2 days and the whole safari takes about 3 days. At the summit of this mountain, temperatures can decrease to zero degrees from night to morning. Hiking is advised to be carried in the dry season from June to August and December to January. During rainy season, the trails are muddy and slippery.
Every visitor interested in hiking Mount. Karisimbi is advised to have all the hiking materials such as gloves, hiking boots, light clothing that reflect the environment, enough drinking water, a walking stick, insect repellent, snacks or packed lunch, raincoat since you can’t predict the rain in Africa, a camera for capturing memorable photos and a binocular to magnify distant objects and many more.
Gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking adventure is done in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park. It begins in the morning from 8:00am to around 2:00pm depending on the location of a gorilla family trekked. Each group of trekkers (8 people) is allowed to spend a maximum of an hour in the present which will be a rewarding time. Meet a family of gorillas playing, breastfeeding, grooming young ones and much more. The briefing is carried out at the Kinigi visitors post and in case you have extra luggage, hire a potter that will help you.
Bird watching.
This is another experience that is amazing to bird watchers and birds like African fish eagle, Grey-backed fiscal, Rwenzori batis and much more won’t be missed. Birding is normally carried out in the morning and late evening when birds are active. Bird watching can be carried out from both sides that is Virunga and Volcanoes national park.
How to access Mount Karisimbi?
This mountain can easily be accessed from Rwanda and Uganda. While in Rwanda from Kigali, the drive will take about 2 to 3 hours to reach Volcanoes national park – the home of Karisimbi. And from Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi national parks, it takes 4-5 hours crossing through Cyanika boarder in Kisoro district.
