Visitors to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park often choose to hike Bisoke for the unique opportunity to see crater lakes, Book this 1-day Mount Bisoke hiking tour if you are looking for a short hiking trip in Rwanda. Mount Bisoke (3711m), one of the 5 Virunga volcanoes in Rwanda, is the most popular volcano for hikes in Volcanoes National Park because of its large crater lake at the peak, which is the ultimate prize after a tough hike.

Mt. Bisoke is located near the center of the Virunga volcanoes chain, offering incredible views of the Virunga Mountains and the adjacent rolling landscape in Rwanda. During the Mount Bisoke hike, you may observe various wildlife, such as rare plants, beautiful golden monkeys, and have a fifty percent chance of encountering gorillas along the trail.

The Bisoke Crater Lake hike takes about 6 hours in total, with 4 hours spent climbing up to the peak and 2 hours climbing down. The duration may vary based on your fitness level and pace.

Hikers are only permitted ten minutes of distant viewing of any gorillas they meet. During the trek, visitors are not allowed to photograph the gorillas. Only guests who have paid for the official gorilla tracking experience are allowed to go close enough to the gorillas to snap photographs and spend more time with them. It’s possible that the golden monkeys and mountain gorillas you see along the route aren’t habituated, so it’s best to give them space.