We got to breakfast at 6am for a quick coffee and a bite to eat (our regular routine) and to do final prep – staff helped put on our gaiters and we gathered fresh rain jackets and gloves. The laundry service is incredible here, even our boots are cleaned daily!!! Unfortunately, two of our party were not going to be joining us, Simonne was ill and Wayne had blown out his boot and was going to stay back with Simonne. Given this was a Covid test day they had to come along for the test as results were needed for the gorilla trek the next day, Jason picked them up and brought them back to the lodge, we continued on to our hike. Usual procedure took place – registration, cappuccino from the bistro and allocation of guides and groups with Roger representing us well. Emmanuel was our guide, and we would pick up porters at the start of the trail. The group was just Glenn and I, that should have told us something!!!

We set off on the hike up Mount Bisoke with two porters – Peter and Phocus. We were advised to do this and was our best decision ever. Well, as my friend Rich would say this was a “Christine death march”. We had expected it to be tough, but it was way beyond our expectations. We started heading up through the farmlands and then reached the wall of the park where we picked up 4 park rangers who joined us. They patrol for buffalo and keep the park safe. Emmanuel shared with us that the stone wall surrounding the park is 76km’s and stretches from Congo to Uganda and was built by the villagers. Once we entered the park, we continued our journey up the mountain through an African red wood forest until we reached an intersection where the trail spilt, and we got a short rest on some benches. Then it was off again up the mountain along a rocky and muddy path until we reached slightly lower vegetation and indigenous trees near the summit. About 1 hour from the top of the volcano I started to feel the effects of the altitude. Phocus was great, he encouraged me, and we took regular short breaks and sips of water to get me through. There was a moment where I wondered if I would make it… Glenn was a bit concerned as he could see I was struggling… but I made it, took all the courage I could muster. We reached the summit of Mount Bisoke, 3,711m above sea level. I was ecstatic – I had made it. The view was breathtaking, and we were lucky enough to see the crater lake. At last, a lunch break – much needed after that brutal climb. Then reality set in and we had to head down the slippery rocks, mud and treacherous terrain. This is when the porters were extremely useful as they put out a hand to steady you and guided you down and instruct you where to place your foot or to jump! On our descent we passed Sheryl Sandberg and her entourage – what a surprise!!! The descent was at quite a pace, we only stopped again at the benches for a brief rest before continuing. Evidence of the mud – look at Glenn’s boots. There was the threat of rain and Emmanuel wanted us to make it down before the rain which fortunately never came. We were only too grateful that it did not rain as that would have made the descent unbearable!!! I fared better on the descent than Glenn, been a long time since I pushed my quads that much. When we finally made it back to the 4×4 we were shattered.

Time – 6 hours 12 minutes

Distance – 11.1km

Vertical – 1050m

All I will say if you are not fit and adventuresome don’t do this hike.

Fact for the day -the white flowers are the pyrethrum plant (photo included below) – a safe and natural pesticide. They dry the flowers to make the pesticide.