Mount Bisoke is one of eight dormant Albertine rifts, a section of the East Africa rift that runs through Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Click here to see mountain gorilla safaris.

It is located within two national parks: the Virunga National Park of the Republic of the Congo and the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda. Click here to view our recommended mountain gorilla trekking tour.

The Mount Bisoke volcano’s biggest part is situated in Rwanda. Mount Bisoke’s name came from the two crater lakes given by the local people, meaning "soaked in water."

Mount Bisoke's peak is about 3711 m without any snow, though it is covered with fog, and the crater has a diameter of about 400 m. The crater lakes of Ngezi are 11 km from the summit.

Mount Bisoke is endowed with different vegetation and habitat to tropical rain forest, bamboo shoot forest and Senecio-lobelia bush just at the peak.

Gorilla Tracking

Mountain gorilla trekking gives tourists a unique opportunity to view gorillas in their environment, which is unforgettable, some travelers say mountain gorilla trekking is life-changing. Encounters with the mountain gorillas as they do their daily activities are carefully managed, with expert park rangers and guides leading a small group of 8 tourists up to the bamboo-covered slopes to spend an hour and awe-inspiring moments a few away meters from the gentle apes.

Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park

Besides the wonderful mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National park also protects golden monkeys that are exciting tourist attractions. Unlike mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National park is much cheaper and more convenient, although both activities have the same rules and regulations.

Dian Fossey’s tomb in Volcanoes National Park

Tourists are allowed to visit the tomb of American primatologist Dian Fossey at Karisoke Research Centre in Volcanoes National Park where tourists regularly pay their last tributes to the world’s great conservationists who created awareness for gorilla protection in the Volcanoes National park. Dian Fossey was murdered in 1985 by poachers in Volcanoes National Park while carrying out her studies in protecting mountain gorillas.

Volcano hiking in Volcanoes National Park

There are three major volcanic summits within Volcanoes National Park such as Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke and Mt Muhabura. Mount Karisimbi is the most popular for volcano hiking options in Volcanoes National park offering the most beautiful snow-capped and the magical views.

Musanze Caves

Musanze caves are situated within Volcanoes National Park and were recognized as a tourist site by the Rwanda Development Board. Since then, tourists to Volcanoes National park have been visiting Musanze Caves to see the unique the beautiful features on the caves.

Kwita Izina (Gorilla-naming ceremony)

Kwita Iza gorilla-naming-naming ceremony in Volcanoes National park, Kwita Izina is an annual event which takes place every year in September; Kwita Izina involves baby gorillas born within the year being given names. The Kwita Izina ceremony is inspired by Rwanda’s ancestral baby-naming ceremony that was held immediately after the birth of a newborn. 

The best time to hike Mount Bisoke is during the dry months, which normally run from June to August and from December to March. During the dry seasons, the weather is favorable, with clear skies, low or no rainfall, and perfect visibility.