Menu
Menu
Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) is Rwanda’s most visited park, attracting nature lovers worldwide who come to see the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. This park shelters 30 per cent of the 1063 mountain gorillas left in the wild and comprises 12 habituated gorilla families. The park protects more than mountain gorillas in a single habitat, making it a treasured destination.
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is positioned geographically on the Northwestern side of the country. It expands within the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) in the former Ruhengeri region. As a national park, Volcanoes National Park was established in 1925, making it one of the oldest parks in Africa. The other parks within the Virunga Region include Virunga National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Dian Fossey’s journey can also be traced around the Volcanoes National Park, and it is here where she set up a research base to aid her activities. She transferred from Tanzania to the Virunga Volcanoes in 1963. Dian Fossey is the brain behind the established Karisoke Research Centre at the base of Karisimbi Volcanoes.
The unfortunate side, though, is that Dian Fossey was mysteriously murdered in 1985, but she had played a significant part in mountain gorilla protection and research. By then, mountain gorillas were listed under the IUCN red list as a critically endangered species, and their plight was heard when she published “Gorillas in the Mist” –first, it was a book and later changed to a film.
The park boasts a remarkable landscape featuring Rivers, Lakes, green forests and bamboo forests. These serve as the main habitats of wildlife in Volcanoes National Park. Within Volcanoes National Park, hikers have five volcanoes to explore out of the eight that make up the Virunga Mountain ranges, and they include Sabyinyo (3634m), Bisoke (3711m), Gahinga, Karisimbi (4507m) and Muhabura (4127m). At the slopes of these Virunga Volcanoes, distinct vegetation zones consist of hagenia, afro-alpine, sub-alpine and bamboo.
Other unique attractions in Volcanoes National Park
The primates/wildlife: Volcanoes National Park is a unique primate destination and the best spot to find other mammals, reptiles and more. Besides mountain gorillas, the park supports many golden monkeys, hyenas, forest elephants, bushbucks, buffaloes, black-fronted duikers, buffaloes, forest hogs and more.
The bird species: At Volcanoes National Park, over 200 bird species, including endemic rift and forest species, can be spotted. The bird record of Volcanoes National Park includes archer’s ground robin, Rwenzori batis, palm nut vulture, lagden’s bush shrikes, handsome francolins, red-faced woodland, Rwenzori double collared sunbird, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, blue-spotted wood dove, African goshawk, bronze sunbird, bat hawks, Nirana trogon, bateleurs, palm nut vultures, Rwenzori turaco, African swamp hen, Kivu ground thrush and others.
Gorilla trekking: Gorilla trekking adventures are the top experiences for which Volcanoes National Park is the most popular. This adventure of a lifetime offers tourists a chance to wind through the lush forest, searching for mountain gorillas in the wild. Trekking to see these giant apes starts with a briefing, and a gorilla family is allocated to you. The park contains 12 habituated gorilla family groups: Amahoro, Hirwa, Karisimbi, Umubano, Sabyinyo, Susa, and Kwitonda among others.
It is a unique primate adventure done by persons above 15 years old; these are eligible groups to secure gorilla permits. The Rwanda gorilla permits cost USD 1,500 per visitor on a gorilla tour to Volcanoes National Park. In addition to carrying gorilla permits, you need other items, including insect repellents, long trousers, gardening gloves, a camera, high-energy giving snacks, a long-sleeved shirt, snacks, cameras, and a first aid kit.
Bird watching: Bird watching in Volcanoes National Park presents you with a remarkable chance to explore the park's diverse bird species, including the blue-spotted wood doves, lagden's bush shrikes, palm nut vultures, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori turacos, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, baglafetch weaver birds, handsome francolin, red chested sunbird, Grauer's rush warblers, red-faced woodland, archer's ground robin, bateleurs, and many more.
Golden monkey tracking: Golden monkey tracking safaris are the second most popular primate adventures that are enjoyable in Volcanoes National Park. The Golden Monkey Trek explores the unique golden monkeys in the wild. These primates reside within the Virunga Mountains, and their troops can comprise 100 individuals.
Dain Fossey Tomb Trek: The Dian Fossey Tomb Trek offers an exhilarating hike and exposure to Dian Fossey and her gorilla conservation legacy. Exploring the Dian Fossey trail requires all participants to have hiking permits, each costing USD 75. Dian Fossey hike takes 2-3 hours depending on visitors' trekking speed.
Hiking: This is an incredible opportunity if you have always wanted to explore the Virunga Volcanoes. Visit Volcanoes National Park and hike through some of the finest Virunga Volcanoes, including Bisoke or Visoke, Muhabura Volcanoes and Karisimbi. The park has five volcanoes, but these 3 are the only ones hiked on the Rwandan side, and the rest are hiked on a visit to Mgahinga.
Tour the twin lakes: Outside Volcanoes National Park, there is a chance to visit and tour the twin lakes, Lake Ruhondo and Burera. They provide the perfect relaxation environment for visitors on Rwanda safaris in the park. You can pay a visit before or after the gorilla trekking experience.
Caving: Cave exploration is another remarkable, enjoyable experience on a trip to the Ruhengeri/Musanze region. The must-visit caves are the Musanze caves that date back over 65 million years. The caves measure 2 km, and you may spend 2-3 hours walking through them and back.
The best time to travel for a safari in Volcanoes National Park is during the dry season from June, July, August to September and December to February. These come as an advantage to trekkers visiting to see mountain gorillas because the ground is drier, making it easier to walk through the forest. Abundant flora and water are available during the wet or rainy season, and gorilla families keep within their home range.
Volcanoes National Park safari lodges to stay in Musanze
Many safari accommodation properties thus provide visitors with a wide range of choices from budget to luxury. They include Muhabura Hotel, Bisate Lodge, Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Villa Gorilla Lodge, Five Volcanoes Hotel, Le Palme Hotel, Garr Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse, and others.
Volcanoes National Park is located close to Kigali city centre, accessible about 2 to 3 hours' drive. You will use a good 4x4 safari vehicle, and the other alternative is connecting from the Uganda side via Kisoro to the Chyanika border or Kabale to the Katuna border to Musanze.
Location: Plot 124, Kikumbi
P.O Box 100667, Kampala
+256759033541
+447 572778124
[email protected]