Mount Karisimbi Travel Guide: Top Sights in Rwanda, Tours & Travel

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Mount Karisimbi- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Natural Scenery; Rwanda; 5 Reviews

Suggested Duration: 8 hours

Mount Karisimbi is a stratovolcano located in the Virunga Mountains on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Standing at 4,507 meters (14,787 feet), it is the highest peak in the range and the 11th highest mountain in Africa. Karisimbi is part of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, and is surrounded by Mikeno, Bisoke, and Nyiragongo. The name "Karisimbi" derives from the Kinyarwanda word for snow, which occasionally covers its summit during the dry season. The Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey, is situated between Karisimbi and Bisoke, where it supports research on mountain gorillas.

Operators offering tours in Rwanda

Attractions in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

Akagera

4.8

Nyungwe Forest

4.8

Kigali

Gorilla Guardians

4.4

Iby'iwacu

Murambi Genocide Memorial Centre

4.8

Congo-Nile Trail

Reviews of Mount Karisimbi

D GO

5
Reviewed: 2025-02-02

The path to the summit is split up in two days. Day one is 1000 height meters and 12 kilometers, this can be done in 3 hours. Day 2 is 1000hm up and 2000 down. The path is quite muddy but porters are not necessary because you can leave stuff on day 2 in the hut. Gaiters are a necessity. The summit itself is really really ugly with telecom buildings on top, the path up is more worth it. Nice views on the other volcanoes.
Jonathan Lallawmsiama

5
Reviewed: 2024-08-06

The biggest volcano really was the best experience for me. All five volcanoes had different experiences, but this one just topped it all off. The first 2500m to 3300m is fairly easy. 3300 to 3600m to the base camp gets a little tougher. Up to 4000m is moderate. Then 4000m to summit is definitely the hardest part, but so rewarding if you get the view at the top! I definitely want to go again.
Best Photographer in Nigeria

4
Reviewed: 2024-07-14

Nice place to be
James BRACIA

5
Reviewed: 2022-03-10

Beautiful natural place
BACAMUVYUMA Eraste

5
Reviewed: 2018-09-20

On the mount Karisimbi for Gorilla trekking. We have been driving for one hour the Volcano National Park headquarter to reach to the car parking.We get our best experience with Susa group.