Mt Bisoke which is also known as Visoke is a strato-dormant volcano in Rwanda with part of it in the Democratic Republic of Congo standing at 3711 meters above sea level. the Democratic Republic of Congo it's called Mount Visoke but Rwanda has the highest peak on its side. It was named Bisoke which means soaked by water because of the crater lakes it has. Mount Bisoke is among the eight volcanoes that make up the Virunga Mountains and one of the five Virunga volcanoes that sit astride into Rwanda making up the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda's most popular national park. Mount Bisoke is the most popular volcano for hiking and trekking tours mostly because of its large crater lake at the summit which is also the largest Crater Lake in the Virungas measuring 400m in diameter and about 100 meters in depth.

Mt Bisoke volcano has another crater lake named Ngezi on the side about 11km from the peak. The slopes of Mount Bisoke which are mostly sheltered by forest are a haven to a variety of wildlife like forest elephants, duikers and buffalos. The most well-known are the endangered mountain gorillas, with some groups occupying territories on the mountain. There are numerous habituated groups on the volcano which are used for the gorilla trekking tours. The other primate on Mt. Bisoke is the golden monkeys which live in the forests at the base of the volcano. It has a perfect conic contour, covered in green from the base to the peak with varying vegetation zones that range from a petite bamboo at the bottom that ends at 2800m, through Hagenia Hypericum (2800m to 3200m), to Sub-alpine zone at the top.

There are two mountain hiking and trekking trails on Mount Bisoke i.e. Bisoke Crater Lake hike and Mountain Bisoke Trek. The Mount Bisoke Crater Lake hike involves trekking to the peak of the Bisoke volcano where you are pleased with the magnificent scenery and views of the largest crater lake of the Virunga Mountains. This is the most popular hiking trail in Volcanoes National Park and arguably in Rwanda.

The Crater Lake hike takes about 6 hours with 4 hours of climbing to the top and 2 hours hiking back down, skilled fit mountain climbers and hikers can get to the summit in 2 hours or less, while the non-experienced and less fit can take up to 6 hours to the get to the peak. The hike is planned to be faster so that you get to the peak earlier to enjoy the lake for a short time and begin the descend as the weather can change any time.

The eventual prize of the hike is the beautiful Crater Lake although the hike also offers sightings of the stunning mountain wildlife along the way such as the various species of the trees, plants and shrubs many of which are unique to the Virungas or Albertine rift valley. The trek gives hikers incredible views of the Virunga mountain range and will see other volcanic cone-shaped mountains of Karisimbi, Nyiragongo and Mikeno (in Congo), Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Muhavura.

With luck on your side you can see the mountain gorillas too along the way. The biggest opportunity however is the chance of sighting the gorillas along the trails. If gorillas are found along the trail hikers are allowed only a glance of a couple of minutes and no taking pictures which is exclusive for the tourists doing the gorilla trek.

Lake Ngezi lies about 11km from the summit and was formed after an eruption in 1957. It is a shorter adventure than the Crater Lake hike that takes 4 hours depending on pace. The lake overlooks Mt Gahinga where once can do natural walks and birding. In case you meet gorillas you will not see them for long and will not be allowed to photography them.

Bisoke hiking permit or ticket Cost: USD 75 for Foreign Non Resident (international tourist), USD 60 Foreign Resident