The Five Volcano Mountains in Rwanda
The Five Volcano Mountains in Rwanda are tucked away in the northern province of Rwanda, in Musanze district. Inside Volcanoes National Park which is famously known as home to the endangered mountain Gorillas is where these Five Volcano Mountains in Rwanda are protected from.
Volcanoes National Park is made up of a great biodiversity that teams up with verdant and montane ecosystem, bamboo and alpine forests, flat topography of grasslands, mist covered rainforests and thickets as well as the steep slopes of these five magnificent volcanoes standing at different altitudes high above sea level.
It is from these Five Volcano Mountains in Rwanda that Volcanoes National Park derives its name, all the five volcanoes are dormant and they are among the 8 volcanoes that make up the Virunga ranges. Some of these volcano mountains are shared by other bordering countries such as Mount Muhabura which has its part standing in the neighboring Uganda in the north and known as Muhavura from the Ugandan side.
Mount Muhabura
Mount Muhabura stands at an altitude of 4,127 meters above sea level and is recognized as the third highest mountain of the Virunga volcanoes chain. You can choose to hike this volcano from Rwanda or Ugandan side which will all give you the most rewarding adventure hiking experience.
Mount Sabyinyo
Mount Sabyinyo is another extinct volcano in Rwanda which stands at a high altitude of 3,669 meters above sea level, it is known as the oldest in the range and stands between three countries to create markings for borders between Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. This Sabyinyo volcanic mountain also joins the three National Parks of rain forests established by these countries having a one similar and popular attraction – the “Mountain Gorillas” and the parks are Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the DRC.
Mount Karisimbi
Hike to the highest peak volcano mountain in Rwanda – Mount Karisimbi, this dormant stratovolcano is also the highest among the 8 virunga ranges, it stands at an altitude of 4,507 meters above sea level.It is also recorded among the highest peak mountains in Africa. Mount Karisimbi is also shared by countries Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is close to active Mount Nyiragongo and dormant Mikeno volcano in the DRC as well as Mount Bisoke in Rwanda.
Hiking Mount Karisimbi is one of the greatest and most rewarding hiking experiences with unique sceneries and stunning views of most of the other volcanoes, the hike is always a 2 days experience that requires some kind of physical fitness and hiking experience to reach the summit of this volcano.
Tourists usually spend their first night at a base camp that is located at an altitude of 3,700meters, before hiking to the summit on the second day and descending back from this amazing trek. Expect to encounter numerous varieties of fauna and flora, different primates as well as spotting abundant bird species which is a great reward to bird watchers.
Mount Bisoke
Mount Bisoke is the most famous and popularly known volcano among the Five Volcano Mountains in Rwanda, sitting at the border of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, Mount Bisoke stands at an altitude of 3,711 meters above sea level and has a unique attractive scenery of a crater lake at its summit which is entirely located in Rwanda.
Because the hike to Mount Bisoke is less strenuous, most tourists including the ones with little or nohiking experience usually undertake this adventure to the summit of the volcano, this is always a one day hiking experience that rewards visitors with a number of sightseeing with scenic views and encounters with wildlife, abundant birdlife, monkeys amongst beautiful flora.
Mount Gahinga
The fifth Volcano Mountain in Rwanda is Mount Gahinga which stands at an altitude of 3,473 meters high above sea level. This volcano straddles at the border between Rwanda and Uganda and stands in between volcanoes Muhabura and Sabyinyo, it’s from this mountain that Mgahinga National Park in Uganda derives its name.
You can combine your hiking adventure for The Five Volcano Mountains in Rwanda with a Gorilla trekking experience or Golden Monkey encounter which are also in Volcanoes National Park. Reach out to us for a highly customized Rwanda adventure safari package that will give you magical moments with unforgettable experiences.
