Karisimbi is an inactive volcano that is found in Virunga Mountains on the border between Rwanda and democratic republic of Congo.it is the highest volcano among the eight major mountains of the mountain ranges and the 5th highest in Africa which is also part of the Albertine rift valley in the western side of the African rift valley. This mountain rises at an elevation of about 4507m above the sea level.
The name karisimbi came from a local Kinyarwanda word “amasimbi”which means snow. This snow is mostly found at the peak of the mountain during dry season in the months of June, July, august and September. This is the perfect time to do a Rwanda safari involving a hike to the top of karisimbi.
Karisimbi volcano is surrounded by other three mountains such as Mikeno that is in the north, Bisoke in the east and Nyiragongo in the west. Between karisimbi and kirisoke mountain, there exists kirisoke research center that was founded by Dian fossey in order to observe the mountain gorillas that were living in these mountains therefore if one happens to hike karisimbi volcanoes, you have a great chance to visit the grave of an American zoologists who was murdered and her body was lied in at kirisoke research center and golden monkey tracking.
Climbing Mt karisimbi.
The climb starts very early in the morning taking 6 hours which involves navigating through the Bisoke side before reaching the first stopping place at an altitude of 3700km for an overnight camping. Night will be spent here as you’re resting to proceed with the climbing the next day.
Mt karisimbi is 2 days hike there it needs one to have relatively good health and physically fit in order to be able to hike the slippery slopes to reach reach this summit which is white capped as result of snow which accumulates in the higher elevation from its frequent storms. Therefore it implies it will incur one an extra cost to hire a porter to help carrying the language and other hiking equipment’s.
A hike to karisimbi summit is such an amazing hike that it affords sights of variety of different bird’s species and other primates such golden monkeys, mountain gorillas since the volcano lies in the primates park of volcanoes national park. The place is also known for its exotic plants in its four belts of vegetation, from the dense forest at the base of the volcano up to its top of its summit.
The hike to the summits is characterised of muddy trials especially during the rainy season because of its attitude it can rainy at any time therefore we advise the visitors to carry light hiking boots that are water proof and durable enough so that your able to move for long distance in muddy places.
The hike also requires one to carry alight jumper or jacket that is breathable and water proof to ensure that one can still continue hiking in case of any weather changes.