Want to learn about the Mount Mikeno Volcano in Congo? Mount Mikeno is one of the eight Virunga volcanoes located in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the second-highest peak in the Virunga range, standing at 4,437 meters above sea level, and the 13th tallest mountain in Africa.
The name “Mikeno” means “poor” in the local language, referring to its steep slopes that make it difficult for people to live there.
The first explorer to climb Mount Mikeno was W. J. Wanshoff Van der Meesch in 1932. Twenty-eight years later, Lewis Mudge, Pierre Peron, and Tjeenk Willink also reached the summit.
Mount Mikeno is known as one of the most difficult mountains to climb in the Virunga range. However, those who make it to the top are rewarded with beautiful views of the East African Rift Valley.
The hike up Mount Mikeno is a full-day adventure that requires good physical fitness because the trails are steep and challenging.
The hike starts with a briefing at Bukima Ranger Post before beginning the climb. Along the way, hikers can see various wildlife and bird species. The trail passes by the grave of Carl Akeley, a well-known nature photographer and conservationist who died of fever in 1926. It takes about four hours to reach this grave site at Kabara Camp and another four hours to reach the summit.
Permits for hiking Mount Mikeno can be obtained from the Grande Barrière border post at Goma, on the Rwanda–Congo border.
Mount Mikeno is also home to the endangered mountain gorillas, and tourists visiting Virunga National Park can see them during gorilla trekking experiences.
Reaching Mount Mikeno is quite easy. It takes about three hours by road from Kigali, Rwanda, through the Gisenyi border. Alternatively, travelers can fly from Kigali to Goma using local airlines and continue by road to Mount Mikeno.
The best time to climb Mount Mikeno is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. During these months, rainfall is low, and the trails are drier and safer for hiking.
Mount Mikeno offers an unforgettable mix of adventure, scenery, and wildlife, making it one of the must-visit destinations in Virunga National Park.
