Mountain Mikeno is one of the eight extinct volcanoes that make up the Virunga Mountains, located in Virunga National Park in Eastern DR Congo.

It is a must-visit given the captivating hiking experiences it offers to those on mountain climbing safaris in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

At a height of 4,437 meters (14,557 ft) above sea level, Mt Mikeno becomes the second-highest peak in the Virunga mountains.

From the Congolese language, the local word Mikeno means poor, and it is for this reason that Mt. Mikeno is named so, due to its harsh and poor slopes that preclude human habitation.

Despite the mountain’s rugged terrain and steep slopes, the world’s famous mountain gorillas call it their home, and these giant apes can be seen on Congo gorilla tours.

Ganshoff van der Meesch was the first person to successfully climb and reach the peak of Mt Mikeno in 1932, despite its steep slopes and high altitude.

Location of Mt. Mikeno

Mount Mikeno lies in Virunga National Park in the eastern part of the DR Congo, along with Mount Nyiragongo.

It is located about 3.5 miles northeast of Mountain Karisimbi, next to the border of Rwanda and Uganda. The mountain lies at coordinates 1°27′53″S 29°25′10″E or about 1.4639° S, 29.4197° E.

Other volcanoes in the Virunga massif include Mount Nyamuragira, Mt Bisoke, Mt Muhabura, Mt Nyiragongo, Mt. Karisimbi, Mt. Gahinga, and Mt. Sabinyo.

Of these volcanoes, three are found in Virunga National Park in DR Congo, five are found in the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, and of the five, three are shared with Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.

The Formation of Mountain Mikeno 

Mountain Mikeno, an extinct volcano with rugged terrain, is believed to have been formed over 30 million years ago as part of the Virunga volcanoes.

It was formed due to the movement of tectonic plates along the East African Rift Valley that caused molten rocks (magma) at the bottom to rise and erupt, forming a volcano.

Since its formation, the mountain has remained a dormant volcano, featuring layers of hard rocks and volcanic ash, which give the mountain its texture and impressive look.

Its impressive appearance attracts thousands of visitors to hike the mountain, though the hike can be challenging due to its steep slopes and high elevation.

Climate And Weather Around Mt. Mikeno 

The general climate around Mt Mikeno in Virunga NP is a mix of the tropical and equatorial climates. The tropical forests and the equator line that passes through Virunga NP near Mt. Mikeno greatly contribute to this climate.

The average amount of rainfall received around Mt. Mikeno is about 113.5 mm. The high temperatures are 28 °C, the mean temperatures are 20 °C, and the low temperatures are about 14 °C.

The drier months are late June, July, August, late December, January, and February, and these are the prime times for those interested in the Mt Mikeno hike and visiting Virunga NP.

Attractions At Mt. Mikeno 

When you hike along the slopes to reach the summit of Mountain Mikeno, you will see numerous attractions, including

• Primate species, such as endangered gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys, among others.
• Other animals, including forest elephants and warthogs, among others
• Various plant species along the mountain slopes, including giant lobelias and others.
• Various bird species, including the Dusky Crimsonwing, Ruwenzori Turaco, and Archer’s Robin-chat, among others.
• Panoramic view of other Virunga ranges, like Mount Bisoke, Mt Nyiragongo, Mt Karisimbi, and Mt Nyamuragira

.         Panoramic views of lakes like Lake Kivu, among others.

Activities At Mountain Mikeno 

• The main activity is hiking Mount Mikeno to its summit.

The Mount Mikeno hike takes about 2 days, and hiking starts from the Bukima post. Hiking permits can be obtained from the Virunga NP headquarters directly or through a trusted tour operator.

While hiking, you will come across the tombs of Carl Akeley, the nature photographer and a conservationist who died of fever while climbing in 1926.

• Mountain Gorilla trekking to see the gorillas that inhabit the slopes of Mt Mikeno, and here, trackers spend at least one hour with the gorillas.
• Chimpanzee trekking in Mahura Forest, which is at the foot of Mt. Mikeno
• Birding to spot the numerous avian species

.          Guided nature walks around the areas near the mountain.

Cost For Mountain Mikeno Hiking Permits 

Hiking permits cost $400, and the cost includes a fee for the guide and a hike, but it excludes camping equipment, meals, and transportation.

For visitors interested in gorilla trekking, permits cost around $400, which is slightly lower than gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, which are at $800, and those of Rwanda $1500 for Rwanda.

When to Visit Mount Mikeno? 

The mountain can be visited either in the dry or in the wet season

The Dry Seasons

The prime time to visit Mt. Mikeno is during the hot season, though Virunga NP, where the mountain is found, is open for visitors year-round.

The long hot season runs from June to September, and the short hot season runs from late December to February.

During this time, the roads leading to the park are passable, the hiking trails leading to the summit of Mt Mikeno are dry, and there are fewer chances of encountering mist that would limit visibility.

The hot season always coincides with the peak season, so expect high crowds and a slight increase in the costs of hiking and other safari activities.

The Wet Seasons

The wet season that occurs from October to November and April to May is not safe for hiking and trekking activities at Mt Mikeno. This is because hiking and many other activities tend to be challenging due to slippery hiking trails.

Too much fog or mist during the wet season also disrupts visibility while hiking, and it limits panoramic views of the nearby landscapes.

Before embarking on a Congo safari/mountain climbing safari, you should check with the local weather forecast since the weather may abruptly change.

Where To Stay Near Mountain Mikeno? 

There are many accommodation options near Virunga NP, where the mountain is located, where you can spend a night.

These include Mikeno Lodge, Tchegera Island Tented Camp, Bukima Tented Camp, Kibumba Tented Lodge, Lulimbi Tented Camp, and Lake Kivu Lodge, among others.

What To Wear for A Safari to Mountain Mikeno? 

Essential attire to wear when on a visit to Mt. Mikeno.

• Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts to be safe from biting insects like mosquitoes and stinging plants like stinging nettle.
• A pair of sturdy hiking boots and socks
• Gardening gloves to provide a firm grip on the trekking poles and to protect you from irritations and scratches from insects and rough branches.
• Rain gear, e.g., a rain jacket and warm clothes like a sweater.
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent

What To Pack for A Tour to Mountain Mikeno? 

When planning for the Mt Mikeno hike, the following are some of the essential items that you should pack. They include

• Backpack
• Energy-giving snacks and enough drinking water
• A walking stick to keep you firm on the steep slopes
• First-aid kit

.         A camera with extra batteries

• Travel documents like a visa, a yellow fever vaccination certificate, among others.

How To Get to Mountain Mikeno? 

Mountain Mikeno can be accessed by air and by road.

By Air

Most visitors on a visit to Mount Mikeno fly to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda because of its proximity to Virunga NP and its well-established structure.

It is from Kigali that visitors further travel by road and pass via the Gisenyi border crossing to the Bukima Patrol Post, where the headquarters of the park are.

By Road

From Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, a drive takes around 3-4 hours to the border crossing near Gisenyi, and at this border crossing, visitors must have a visa for DR Congo.

Then take another drive from Gisenyi to the Bukima Patrol Post in Virunga NP, where Mt Mikeno is located, which takes about 20 minutes.

Mount Mikeno FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. How Long Does It Take to Hike Mount Mikeno? 

The hike from the Bukima Patrol post, which is Virunga NP headquarters, to the summit of Mt. Mikeno takes 2 days.

The ascent from the foot of Mt. Mikeno to the Kabara campsite takes about 4 hours, and the next ascent from the campsite takes 4 hours to reach the summit of the mountain. The descent to the foot of the mountain takes approximately 3 to 4 hours.

2. What Is the Best Time to Hike Mountain Mikeno?    

The prime time to hike Mt Mikeno is during the hot season that runs from December to February and June to September, since during this time, the slopes of the mountain are less slippery and there is less fog on the mountain that would limit visibility.

3. What Is Special About Virunga National Park? 

Virunga NP is unique because of its active chain of volcanoes and rich diversity of habitats that surpass those of any other African park.

Conclusion

Embark on a memorable mountain climbing safari in Congo to discover the magic of Mt Mikeno, which is the second-highest peak in the Virunga volcanoes. Reserve your hike now to encounter amazing sights such as gentle giants, vibrant greenery, and panoramic views of the other Virunga volcanoes like Mount Nyiragongo.