Hiking to Mount Karisimbi Peak is a key tourism activity in Rwanda that tourists should not miss during their Rwanda gorilla safari at Volcanoes National Park. Mount Karisimbi stands at an elevation of approximately 4507 meters above sea level. Mount Karisimbi is the highest volcano among the eight chained Virunga volcanoes, which makes Mount Karisimbi the 5th highest mountain in Africa.

Within the western branch of the African Rift Valley, Mount Karisimbi extends up to the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Mount Karisimbi's name was derived from the Kinyarwanda word "amasimbi," which means “white shell," and was referred to as the white-capped peak. Mount Karisimbi is neighbored in the north by Mount Mikeno, in the east by Mount Bisoke, and in the west by Mount Nyiragongo. Mount Karisimbi is located within Volcanoes National Park, a popular destination for mountain gorilla trekking experiences in Rwanda.

Hiking mount Karisimbi is tiring but so rewarding in nature that it is normally combined with mountain gorilla trekking encounters at Volcanoes National Park. Climbing Mount Karisimbi starts in the morning; it takes 6 hours to reach the summit.

Hiking Mount Karisimbi’s summit also offers you a chance to sight several bird species, except primate species such as monkeys and mountain gorillas, since Mount Karisimbi stands in the primates’ park of Volcanoes National Park.

Travelers need to be in good health and stamina to participate in hiking the slippery slopes of Mount Karisimbi to the white-capped summit due to the result of hail and sleet which congregate in the higher raised part.

Mount Karisimbi is near the Karisoke Research Center, where the graveyard for the popular American primatologist and mountain gorilla conservationist called Dian Fossey is located. This means that travelers may have a chance to visit the tomb as well as participate in golden monkey trekking or mountain gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park.