| Mount Karisimbi | |
|---|---|
Karisimbi summit seen from the campsite in 2005 |
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| Elevation | 4,507 m (14,787 ft) [1] |
| Prominence | 3,312 m (10,866 ft) [1] |
| Listing | Country high point Ultra |
| Location | |
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Mount Karisimbi
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| Location | Democratic Republic of the Congo Rwanda |
| Range | Virunga Mountains |
| Coordinates | [1] |
| Geology | |
| Type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | unknown |
Mount Karisimbi is an inactive volcano in the Virunga Mountains on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. At 4,507 metres (14,787 ft), Karisimbi is the highest of the eight major mountains of the mountain range, which is a part of Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. Karisimbi is flanked by Mikeno to the north, Bisoke to the east and Nyiragongo to the west, on the other side of the Rift Valley.
The name Karisimbi probably comes a word in the local language, Kinyarwanda, which means Little white shell. This is an allusion to the white snow cap that can sometimes be found on the volcano.
Between Karisimbi and Bisoke is the Karisoke Research Center, which was founded by Dian Fossey in order to observe the mountain gorillas living in this area.