Hiking Guide to Mount Karisimbi Rwanda
Hiking Mount Karisimbi in Rwanda, is one of the dream hiking mountains for most hikers. No much information has been given out about this beautiful mountain. This hiking guide to Mount Karisimbi Rwanda is meant to help you plan better for Rwanda mountain hiking safari.
Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris, is one of the top tour companies that has specialized in arranging a number of hiking tours to Mountain Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke and Mount Muhabura.
With quite a number of hikers in demand for more information in regards to hiking mount Karisimbi, we bring to you a full guide to hiking mountain Karisimbi and how the entire experience goes, from booking to hiking.
Mount Karisimbi is the highest stratovolcano in the Virunga Mountains on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is currently a dormant mountain and stands at 4,507 m. Mount Karisimbi is located in Volcanoes National Park on the Rwanda side, and you get trekking permission from Rwanda Board.
Below are some of the hiking Guide to Mount Karisimbi Rwanda, are as below.
Booking Mount Karisimbi Hiking Package/Permit
When you need to book mount Karisimbi hiking package, you will need to do this in advance, either 3 days before the hiking dates, so as to have it all arranged for you in advance. There should be earlier communication with the tour company handling your booking.
Rwanda Eco Company and safaris, will make sure that the permit is bought on time, and by the time you travel for the hiking, you will find everything arranged for you, and your hiking permit is ready.
Every hiker needs a hiking permit to be allowed to hike mount Karisimbi from the Rwandan side and this needs to be done prior to the day of hiking. This Hiking Guide to Mount Karisimbi Rwanda helps you ease your booking process.
How much is the Mount Karisimbi hiking permit?
Mount Karisimbi hiking permit costs 400 dollars for a single hiker and 350 dollars for 2, or more hikers, who are going on the same hike. This is only the amount for only hiking permit, and excludes transportation, meals, and other logistics for the trekking.
How long does the Mount Karisimbi hiking take?
The hiking is roughly 11 kilometers one way, thus 22 kilometers, return round trip. You set off early in the morning and it takes roughly 5 -7 hours to reach the summit. Depending on your fitness, you can make it up to the summit in 5 hours.
The hiking takes mostly two days, with one day to ascend up the mountain, and another day to descend down.
There have been scenarios where some of our clients managed to summit the mountain in one day. This means that they are totally fit, and are experienced hikers, with great hiking power. However, if you’re in a group it may not be possible as the guide moves at the pace of the slowest person in the group.
To do the hike in one day, you will need to be super good at hiking, and you will managed to take on the mountain in roughly 10 hour’s round trip.
The whole package can range from 3 days to 5 days, depending on your length of stay and other activities you would wish to add and flight arrangements.
At what time does the Mount Karisimbi hiking start?
All Volcanoes park activities start at 8 am, with briefing at the park headquarters’ but for the hiking, they can wait for you, in case you communicate this in advance with reason why you may delay. We often make arrangements for our clients, so that they can be accommodated in case of delays. Our Hiking Guide to Mount Karisimbi Rwanda helps you to keep time for a great hiking experience.
By 9am, you will be at the starting point, to hike up to the summit. In case you fail to make it up to the summit on first, you will make it in the next day before you start to descend down.
Where does Mount Karisimbi hiking start from?
The Karisimbi hiking starts at the base of the Volcanoes at Kinigi, outside the farm land. You will start with a drive to park offices, for registration and briefing, and later drive to the starting point at the base of the volcanoes in the outcast of the farm land, which gives you a great experience of viewing the farm gardens and Terrace, before you join the forest zone to head with your hiking.
How are the hiking trails at Mount Karisimbi?
The hiking trails at Mount Karisimbi are well maintained, but at some point, you will face a boggy section, which requires good hiking boots that are waterproof. Some sections are too muddy, and you will as well require a hiking stick. You will be always going up and down across the valleys, and forest vegetation.
Are there resting areas/ places at Mount Karisimbi trail?
You will have a number of stop overs, to take a rest. Number of tree shades and open areas that will favor your resting are in place. Your guide will always suggest you to stop and take rest depending on your situation.
Fitness level for mount Karisimbi hike.
You will need to be in good shape and able to hike for over 5 hours. You do not need any kind of hiking experience to be able to hike mount Karisimbi, only you need to be fit to be able to take on this mountain. You do not need other hiking gadgets used on rocks or snows. Mount Karisimbi is just about hiking. You will also need a walking stick, to give you great support, as you will be walking up and down, cross hills and valleys, through boggy areas and some parks are very sloppy.
What should one bring along when hiking Mount Karisimbi?
You should bring some hiking energy drinks and snacks, to keep you busy as you hike.
For the clothing, you will need to bring rain gear, from sweaters and overalls. Being a tropical zone, there is a downpour any time. You will need sun glasses and gloves to keep you warm.
Also warm clothing for sleeping at the summit as it’s too cold. You will need some medicine for your health, in case you have some health issues. You will also need a hut to wear so as to protect your head from the scorching sun, in case it’s a sunny day. Have a back bag to carry your essentials, with a waterproof protector. You can as well have head socks and shoe garter’s to protect you from the mad.
Weather condition at Mount Karisimbi
Being at a higher altitude, it’s always very mild and misty. The temperature is always very low, however it can be sunny on some days, but often rain at any time. We advise you to MUST bring rain gears and warm clothes. The weather is unpredictable being a tropical, there it can rain or shine at any moment. But for coldness, it’s always cold up there. Be ready and prepared for whatever the situation will turn up for the day. This also must come with a good walking/ hiking shoes.
Hiking guide at Mount Karisimbi.
Your guide will be with you the whole hiking process. He will brief you, and later you head off to hike Mount Karisimbi. The guide has knowledge of the mountain, and he is experienced with the Mount Karisimbi hiking. You will be following him along the trail, as he guides you around, and enjoy the nature of this beautiful mountain. You will enjoy a guided hike, with a great experience of nature. Feel free to share with the guide, share life stories and chat as you hike along the trail. He will be at your disposal to attend to your questions. You’re just like hiking partners, make it a memorable time together. The local guide himself is a ranger attached to Volcanoes National Park.
There will also be other rangers, who will be at a distance for your safety and security, they may hike a head of you, and always a distance away from you.
What can be seen along the guide trail of Mount Karisimbi.
There is a lot of wildlife and vegetation. You will encounter numerous birds and wild animals. Forest elephants, buffaloes and duikers do live in the lower buffer zone. A number of antelopes are often as well.
Are gorillas seen along Mount Karisimbi hike?
On a lucky hiking day you may meet the gorillas, you will only be allowed 5 minutes of interaction with the gorillas, as you have not paid for the trekking experience. The gorillas are often encountered as they do feed and share the same area on the lower mountain feeding zones. In most cases, they are encountered around the garden areas, feeding on the calypsos trees. Your guide will allow you to have a short glimpse, as you proceed with the hiking and this may be your trip highlight if you had not booked the gorilla trekking as part of your stay in Rwanda.
Meals while hiking mount Karisimbi.
Rwanda Eco Company and safaris, often arrange meals for their clients. The package includes transport, meals and logistics plus the permits.
You will have packed lunch with you, while hiking with water. On reaching the summit, dinner will be prepared on time, and you will enjoy a wonderful moment with your guide and cook. Your cook will serve you with enough meals and in the early morning, breakfast will be made, with packed lunch to enjoy on your way back down.
Are there accommodations at Mount Karisimbi?
There is a hut built with a kitchen. The hut has one large room, where clients and guides camp in their separate tents. As part of the logistics and package, you will be provided a sleeping tent, sleeping bag and porch. You will need to bring warm clothes, to keep you warm at night. The guide will provide you with dinner and breakfast, at the camp, with the help of the cook.
Are there porters for mount Karisimbi hike?
Yes, porters are available to help you with your luggage, and also some porters will carry the cooking materials such as gas cooker, water, plates, saucepans and food that will be eaten later. They will as well provide you with company. The cost of a porter is 15 dollars. You’re free to tip the porters and the guides any amount to your satisfaction.
Can hiking Mount Karisimbi be combined with other mountains?
Yes, you can combine hiking with Mount Karisimbi with other mountains in Rwanda such as Mount Muhabura, or Mount Bisoke. If you hike all the three mountains, you receive a further discount on the combo price package.
You can also book for a great hiking expedition in addition, to Mount Nyiragongo in DRC or Mount Rwenzori in Uganda, and you enjoy an ultimate hiking adventure.
You can still combine mount Karisimbi hiking with gorilla trekking adventure, or golden monkey trekking and you enjoy total fun on your visit to Rwanda.
How to book Mount Karisimbi package?
Get in touch with Rwanda Eco Company and Safari team, and you will have all the trekking arranged on your behalf, from hiking permit, transport, meals, logistics, accommodation and logistics. All you will have to do is to get ready and go hiking, with the service of an experienced guide.
In a nutshell, hiking guide to Mount Karisimbi Rwanda, gives you a general practical knowledge of the entire Mount Karisimbi as well as the booking procedures, and who to contact for your hiking adventure.
