Preparing the Volcanoes trekking
Trip Start
Jul 21, 2007
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10
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Trip End
Aug 04, 2007
Ruhengeri, Rwanda
Friday, July 27, 2007
Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range - home to a unique species, the mountain gorilla - and the rich mosaïc of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland and swamp. Five volcanoes make a chain, which covers an area of 16000ha: Karisimbi (4507m), Visoke (3711m), Sabyinyo (3634m), Gahinga (3474m) and Muhabura
(4127m). It was here that biologist Dian Fossey worked until her death in 1985. All five volcanoes are extinct, the active ones are located in Congo (two of them erupted recently; the Nyiragongo erupted in January 2002 and the Nyamulagira in July 2002)
01. Volcanoes National Park
.To visit the mountain gorillas, reservations must be made in advance (if you want to be guaranteed a place on the day you want to go) at the ORTPN (Office Rwandais Touristique des Parcs Nationaux) or through local tour operators. They told us that all the groups are booked up untill september!
But, we didn't mind, we visited the gorillas 14 years ago and we still cherish this experience. And in Volcanoes National Park, ORTPN organizes also fascinating trekking, during which experienced guides lead you through the dense forest while enjoying wonderful nature. If weather is favourable you'll be rewarded with spectacular views over the mountain chain!
We are going to ascent two volcanoes, Visoke and Karisimbi. Yesterday we went to the ORTPN at Kigali and paid the tickets: 75$/person for the Visoke (one day trekking) and 175$/person for the Karisimbi (two days trekking).
Today we are driving to our hotel at Ruhengeri, where we will spend the night. The next morning, saturday, we'll ascend the Visoke; sunday and monday we'll ascend the Karisimbi.
