Mountain Karisimbi (4 519 m / 14 826 ft)

Known as the highest peak in the Virunga Mountains, and one of the highest mountains of the African continent. Also known for being in the vicinity of the mountain research center Karisoke (Karisoke Research Center), where he studied Oriental mountain gorillas that live only in this area.

Karisimbi - a dormant volcano, the highest of 8 in the Virunga volcanic chain and the highest point of Rwanda. The ascent of Karisimbi ( sixth-highest mountain in Africa, after Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, Ruwenzori, Mount Meru (Tanzania) and Ras Dashen in Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains) is a two-day excursion. It's a long trek, without any technical barriers. Weather conditions are rarely very favorable. High humidity, altitude - the main difficulties of the route. Hikers are climbing from the edge of Volcanoes National Park to the ridge of the huge caldera that extends at the base of the actual cone of Mt Karisimbi, crossing first the bamboo forests and then the Hagenia - Hypericum forests. The hike then continues through the caldera, across a bush of giant Lobelia and Senecio. Another route begins at the foot of Mt Visoke, takes climbers across the saddle and up Mt Karisimbi.

• Africa Country High Points
• Africa 4000-meter Peaks (13 000 feet)

The mountain is located in Central Africa, on the border of Rwanda and DR Congo, 30 km from Lake Kivu.

By car from the capital of Rwanda, Kigali to Mount Karisimbi about 80 km.

Ascent needs to be arranged at least 2 days in advance.

Its name in Kinyaruanda means white shell, which refers to its often white-capped summit. Interestingly, this cap results not from snow but from hail and sleet which accumulate in the higher elevations from its frequent storms.

 

Earlier in the Virunga Mountains was one big national park Albert based by Belgians to protect mountain gorillas in 1925. It was the first national park in Africa. In 1960, after the departure of the Belgians and the formation of new independent states, the park is divided by state borders between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Congolese part of the Virunga Mountains, and the Rwandan - "Park of Volcanoes."

 

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Guided Tours

• Governors camp

Accomodation

• The Manor Hotel