Mount Bisoke, at 3,711 meters (12,175 feet), is a more approachable climb that can be completed in a single day. The hike takes roughly 5 to 7 hours round trip, depending on weather conditions and the group’s pace. However, it is by no means an easy walk. The trail is steep and often muddy, with sections that require scrambling over rocks. Despite the shorter duration, it remains a strenuous hike, particularly for those unaccustomed to high-altitude trekking.
Bisoke is a Swahili word meaning “soaked in water”. The highlight of the hike is usually the Crater Lakes especially on summit of this Volcano. The Crater Lake on the summit measures 400 meters in diameters. The other lake is Lake Ngezi situated in the midway (about 11kms) to the peak. One of the interesting things about the Mount Bisoke hike that is unlikely of the other hikes is that if you are lucky, you can see a gorilla group, golden monkeys, several bird species and elephants on your way to the summit.
Just like most tourist activities in Volcanoes National Park, hikers are expected to arrive at the Park headquarters by 7am for briefing by knowledgeable guides on the hiking guidelines. You will be driven (for 30 minutes on a rough road) to the starting point and you will be accompanied by a tour guide, an armed ranger and a porter (it is not a must to hire one but is highly recommended and hiring a porter costs from 5-10 dollars). Not only will the porter carry your luggage and support you when climbing, but you also support a local family when you hire them. You will then start the hike at about 8am, by passing though local villages and farm/gardens.
You will be a victorious person to have completed the hike till the summit/peak because few people are able to reach the end. The summit provides a breathtaking view of the DRC side of Mount Bisoke and other areas. Relax, take photographs and even enjoy your packed food as you prepare to descend the mountain.