Volcanoes National Park Hiking in Rwanda.

Volcanoes Hiking National Park in Rwanda. With a large share of the magnificent Virunga Mountains, Rwanda is a great destination for mountain hiking and trekking. The Virunga Mountains are a chain of 8 volcanoes along the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Five of these volcanoes are shared along Rwanda’s border: Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhavura. These five mountains make up Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s most popular national park, known for gorilla trekking and as a prime destination for hiking tours.

The Virungas are a nature lover’s dream, with incredible natural beauty, including lush forests, different vegetation zones, beautiful crater lakes, breathtaking scenery, and unique mountain life. The mountains are home to plenty of wildlife, much of which is endemic to the Virungas or the Albertine Rift Valley. This wildlife includes mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, buffaloes, forest elephants, and several endemic birds on many birdwatchers’ wish lists.

Hiking is done on four of the Virunga volcanoes in Rwanda, but not on Mount Sabyinyo due to its enormous craters and sharp ridges, which make it dangerous for climbing. The mountain can only be hiked from its Ugandan side and offers one of the most rewarding hikes in the Virungas due to its location at the center of the Virunga chain and at the meeting point of all three country boundaries.

Apart from the major trails that require hiking to the peaks of the four volcanoes, there are other beautiful trails along the mountains. These trails may be less challenging for non-seasoned hikers. One may also experience the volcanoes by doing the famous gorilla trekking Rwanda and golden monkey tracking adventures.

Hiking Trails in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Mount Bisoke Crater Lake Hike

Mount Bisoke (3711m/12175ft), located on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a dormant volcano with a massive crater lake at the peak, measuring about 400m in diameter and fully within Rwanda. The Mount Bisoke crater lake is the most popular trail for hiking tours in Volcanoes National Park, as hikers aim to reach this beautiful crater lake. Mount Bisoke is also located closer to the center of the Virungas and offers stunning views of the chain. Hikers can catch sight of the sharp peak of Mount Mikeno in the Congo and may see gorillas and golden monkeys along the hike. The difficulty level of this hike is challenging to difficult but can be done by non-experienced hikers with good fitness. The round trip is about 6 hours, with 4 hours climbing up and 2 climbing down.

Lake Ngezi Trail on Mount Bisoke

Lake Ngezi, a beautiful crater lake on the side of Mount Bisoke adjacent to Mount Gahinga, offers a relatively easier hike on Mount Bisoke. The round trek is 4–5 hours, depending on fitness levels.

Mount Karisimbi 2-Day Trail

Mount Karisimbi (4507m/14787ft) is the highest volcano in the Virungas and the 5th highest mountain in Africa. The mountain receives snow during some months, a phenomenon due to its location near the equator. For seasoned hikers preferring a longer and more challenging hike, Mount Karisimbi is perhaps the best volcano to climb in Volcanoes National Park. Unlike the other volcanoes that are one-day hikes, the Mount Karisimbi hike is a 2-day adventure with camping on the mountain for one night at an elevation of 3700m/12139ft.

Mount Muhavura

Mount Muhavura (4127m/13540ft), shared between Rwanda and Uganda, is located at the end/start of the volcano chain. The trek on Mount Muhavura offers wonderful views of the mountainous landscape and the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo below. At the peak of Mount Muhavura is a beautiful crater lake. The round trip is about 6–8 hours and requires good fitness and endurance.

Mount Gahinga

Mount Gahinga (3474m/11398ft) is the shortest mountain in Volcanoes National Park and the least hiked. For non-seasoned hikers, this may be a good one to start with before taking on the more challenging mountains in the chain.

Dian Fossey Tomb Trail

The Dian Fossey trail, located in the valley between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi, starts from the base of Mount Bisoke and goes to the burial place and research station, Karisoke, of the famous researcher Dian Fossey. Fossey dedicated her life to studying and advocating for the protection of the mountain gorillas and their habitat in Rwanda and neighboring countries. The Dian Fossey trail offers a beautiful trek with wonderful views of the mountains and special mountain vegetation such as orchids. There is a chance to encounter mountain gorillas. The round trip is about 3–4 hours and offers a less strenuous hike.

Best Time for Volcano Hiking in Rwanda

Hiking can be done during the dry or wet season. The dry seasons, from June to August and December to February, are the best times because the trails are dry, making climbing easier. The wet seasons, from March to May and September to November, bring frequent rains that render the trails very muddy and difficult to hike. However, the scenery is best during the wet season, and it can be a rewarding experience if you are ready for the challenge.

What to Prepare for the Hike

• Hiking shoes
• Long pants and long-sleeved shirt to protect from stinging nettles
• Rain jacket/poncho
• Gaiters
• Garden gloves
• Camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat) for the Mount Karisimbi hike