Hiking the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda

Hiking the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda: Rwanda has gained popularity worldwide because of a number of rewarding attractions that the country has to offer for a rewarding Rwanda safari. With covid-19 being a global threat, it didn’t slow down the tourism activities in Rwanda because they were able to come up with a number of safety precautions that are exercised by the different service providers at the different destinations to ensure that they are protected from contracting the virus.

With coronavirus being controlled in the country, a number of people have visited the country to take part in a number of activities like gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park, game drives in akagera national park, tracking the big five animas in Rwanda, chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe national park, taking part in the Kigali city tour and many other rewarding activities. however over the years, the virunga mountains have gained popularity because if the different rewarding views and attractions that tourists will get to see when they take part in hiking the different mountains namely mount Gahinga, mount sabyinyo, mount karisimbi, mount Gahinga and mount Bisoke in volcanoes national park for rewarding experiences.

Hiking the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda

MOUNT KARISIMBI: While hiking the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda you will get to hike Mount Karisimbi which is the highest mountain in Rwanda and the highest among all mountains in Rwanda with an elevation of 4507 metres above sea level. During your hike you will get to see a number of rewarding attractions along the different trails of the mountain, some of the different attractions that can be seen include; numerous bird species like red faced woodland warbler, Ruwenzori double collared sunbird, Collared Apalis, Ruwenzori turaco, handsome francolin, strange weaver, Archer’s ground robin, red faced woodland warbler.

You will also get to see a number of primate species like the golden monkeys in the bamboo trees, monkey species like the black and white colobus monkey species, vervet monkey, mona monkey and if you’re lucky enough you will get to see the Susa gorilla family that was studied by dr. Dian Fossey who was remarkable in the protecting the mountain gorillas that were highly smuggled and also poached for their raw materials and as you hike the mountain you will see the Karisoke research station where dian fossey carried out their activities and you will also see the gorilla cemetery where you will see where gorillas that were killed by poachers were buried, you will also get to see dian Fossey’s grave that will make the activity rewarding.

MOUNT MUHABURA: Mount Muhabura is the third highest in that is shared by both Uganda and Rwanda in volcanoes national park and mgahinga national park and tourist can either start the hike from either of the countries for an amazing experience. Among the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, the mountain is a bit challenging compared to others but also worthy of the time you put in to hike it because of the rewarding attractions that you will get to see during your transfer to the peak. During some of the attractions that can be seen include; the numerous bird species like Ruwenzori turaco, road throated alethe, kivu ground thrush, Ruwenzori dark collared sun bird, mountain sparked Apalis, Regal Sunbird, stripe breasted tit, the golden monkey species, you will also see rewarding views of the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo and numerous primate species among other attractions in the park

MOUNT SABYINYO: As you hike the Virunga Mountains in Uganda, you will have a memorable experience hiking mount sabyinyo whose peak lies in the three countries that is Uganda, the democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda. The mountain is hard to hike but once hiked; you will get exceptional views of the different vegetation cover like the bamboo, where you can find the golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Dent’s monkey, a number of animal species like elephants, buffaloes, the forest elephants. You will also have rewarding experiences through the rugged terrain of the mountain where you will see the Sabyinyo gorilla family and the Hirwa gorilla family that you can also get to see if you’re lucky enough.

Mountain Gahinga: While hiking the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, you will hike Mount the smallest among the different virunga mountains in Rwanda that tourists can hike while in volcanoes national park. during the hike; you will see bird species like Ruwenzori turaco, road throated alethe, kivu ground thrush, Ruwenzori dark collared sun bird, mountain sparked Apalis, Regal Sunbird, stripe breasted tit, the golden monkeys among other attractions in the park. Once you reach the summit of the mountain, you will see a caldera that offers exceptional views for photography, you can also set out picnics to make your experience quite memorable.

MOUNTAIN BISOKE: Mount Bisoke is another mountain among that you will get to see when you’re hiking the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda for an amazing experience while in volcanoes national park. While hiking the mountain, you will get to see the Karisoke Research Centre that was established by dian fossey to study the endangered mountain gorillas and in the way protect them from poachers at the cemetery you will see dian Fossey’s tomb and that of her gorilla friends that lost their lives to poachers in the park. during the activity, you will see a number the primate species that can be seen while on the hike, include the Mountain Gorillas, Golden Monkeys and other monkey species that can be seen in the bamboo trees and you will also get to see the animal species in the park like bushbucks, Elephants, Buffaloes waterbucks and many more. You will also have the chance to see a crater lake at the summit of the mountain where you can carry out picnics, photography which will offer a memorable experience during your tour in volcanoes national park.