Mount Bisoke

Bisoke rises to 3,711 metres on the Rwanda-Congo border and is the Virunga climb most people do, because it can be done in a day: around three hours up through bamboo and Hagenia forest into open Afroalpine vegetation, and a crater lake in the summit bowl, the largest in the range. Eruptions are recorded in 1891 and 1957, the later one from the north flank. The mud is the defining feature. Golden monkeys and, occasionally, gorilla sign are met on the lower slopes, and the whole route is inside Volcanoes National Park.

What's there

• The crater lake - water in the summit bowl at 3,711 metres.
• The vegetation bands - bamboo, Hagenia forest and Afroalpine plants in sequence.
• The mud - deep churned ground for much of the climb, the route's main feature.
• The chain view - Karisimbi and the other Virungas from the rim.

When to go

June to September and December to February are the drier windows. The wet months make the mud far worse and the descent treacherous. Starting at dawn is standard.

Practical notes

The mud is genuinely severe and gaiters or a porter are worth the money; the descent is slippery. Cloud covers the crater on many days. A permit and guide are compulsory and cannot be arranged on the day.

Nearby

Karisimbi is on the same massif, and Musanze is below.

Key facts