Mount Mikeno is a mountain standing at an elevation of 4,437 meters above sea level; it’s located in the Democratic republic of Congo alongside the other seven virunga ranges. It’s a dormant Volcano and the highest peak of the virunga mountains after Mount Karisimbi.
Mount Mikeno is in the southern sector of the virunga Masiff within Virunga national park, mount Mikeno is hit by winds that rise, leading to the formation of relief rainfall hence making it’s soils fertile, unlike other surrounding volcanoes.
There was a nature photographer and conservationist known as Carl Akeley, who died of fever in 1926 while climbing mount Mikeno he was buried at the first campsite, now known as Kabara; it takes about 4 hours to reach this place. The sad thing about his grave is that it’s in pieces; it’s not known whether it was Rwandese or Congolese who desecrated his grave in search of gold they believe to have been buried with this conservationist. After Kabara campsite, tourists will take another four hours to reach the summit of mount Mikeno.
Mount Mikeno is renowned for harboring the world’s famous mountain gorillas, the word Mikeno is derived from a local word to mean “poor* this is because of it’s difficult slopes. Mount Mikeno summit has been considered the hardest to climb of all the virunga volcanoes however, getting to the destination is worth the hustle, as you can view the east African rift that is still forming from 30 million years, the views are very breathtaking.
Mount Mikeno summit was first reached by W.J. Ganshoff Van der Meesch in 1932; for the first time after 28 years, it was climbed by Lewis Mudge, Pierre Peron and TjeenkWillink the mountain requires technical and experienced mountain climbers to climb.
There are a number of activities tourists can engage in at Mikeno Mountain; some of these are
Hiking
Tourists hiking to the top of mount Mikeno can hire hiking gear from Mikeno lodge or just use their own gear if they have it; porters are also available to help you carry your luggage to the top and back at an affordable fee. The climb provides panoramic views of the entire national park with coffee plantations and waterfalls
Tourists can also opt for a cultural experience at the surrounding villages. Rwanda is one of the countries with very rich culture and history; interacting with the locals will expose you to more knowledge about this country they also have exceptional traditional dances that will make you not forget your stay in Rwanda while on Rwanda Tours.
To hike mount Mikeno or do Rwanda gorilla trekking, tourists need to book directly with the national park or use a travel company but visitors who come on their own will have problems being allowed in the park. The departure point for gorilla trekking is always at the Bakima patrol post
The best time to visit mount Mikeno is during the dry season; here you can easily see gorillas at the mountain slopes and you will not expect rain while hiking
There are various accommodation units like mount Mikeno lodge where tourists can spend a night before or after hiking the mountain.
