Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda– Home to Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park, also known as Parc National de Volcans, is Rwanda’s most visited national park, especially for primate-tracking adventures. Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwest region of Rwanda and covers an area of 160 km2, predominantly tropical rainforest. This National Park is one of the oldest national parks on the African
continent, a true testament to conservation.

The Volcanoes National Park was established into a major wildlife conservation area in Rwanda in the early 1920’s. It is located within the Virunga Conservation Area that extends across three of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Virunga Conservation Area also hosts other National Parks, including Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park.

The arrival of Dian Fossey in the park in 1967 and the establishment of the Karisoke Research Centre brought more publicity to the park lead to the reduction of poaching activities. Her efforts attracted greater funding for the gorilla conservation programmes and ensure the survival of these giant species.
Volcanoes National Park has been made famous because of the endangered mountain gorillas; the mountainous landscape, green forests, lakes, rivers and sizeable population of wildlife also make it stand out. Besides the huge population of mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is home to golden monkeys within the bamboo forest vegetation which you can see during the Golden Monkey Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park.

Also, Volcanoes National Park harbours 5 of the 8 volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains, which are: Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabinyo. The active mountain volcanoes are in the Virunga Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park also consists of 4 vegetation covers such as; bamboo in the lower slopes, hypenia on the higher altitudes, sub-alpine vegetation, and afro alpine vegetation.
Apart from hosting 30% of the remaining population of the mountain gorillas, which feed on bamboo and other lower vegetation covers, another endangered species inhabiting the park’s lower altitudes is the beautiful golden monkeys. There are also clans of wild chimpanzees and smaller primates that call the park home. Larger mammals like forest elephants and buffalo can be found but in small groups. The Park has leopards, bush pigs, hyenas, hogs and many more. Birding in the Volcanoes National Park is increasingly becoming popular and the top species are the beautiful francolins and Rwenzori turacos.

Historical background of Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes National Park, located in northwestern Rwanda, holds the distinction of being Africa’s first national park. The park was established in 1925. Originally a modest protected zone, Volcanoes National Park covers the area around Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Mikeno. The Volcanoes National Park was created to shield mountain gorillas from poachers.
Four years later, the park’s borders expanded significantly. In 1929, it grew to stretch across Rwanda and into the Belgian Congo, becoming known as Albert National Park-an enormous territory of over 8,000km squared governed by the Belgian colonial administrators who oversaw both territories at the time.

When Rwanda and Congo achieved independence in the early 1960’s, the park was split between the two nations, and by the decades end it had shrunk to roughly half its original size. This division gave rise to today’s separated parks: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.

The park’s global fame grew largely through American primatologist called Dian Fossey, who arrived in 1967 and founded the Karisoke Research Centre nestled between Karisimbi and Visoke. Her tireless advocacy is widely credited with rescuing the mountain gorillas from the brink of extinction by drawing international attention to their plight. Tragically, she was killed by unknown attackers at her home in 1985, many believe it was the poachers she had long opposed.

“She now rests within the park, near the gorillas she devoted her life to protecting.”

The 1990’s brought turmoil, as the park became a battleground during the Rwanda Civil War, with its headquarters attacked in 1992, halting all tourism and research until activities resumed in 1999 once stability returned. Since then, the park has rebounded as a conservation success story, introducing traditions like the annual gorilla-naming ceremony and continuing to safeguard one of the world’s last mountain gorilla populations.

Activities done at National Park-Tourist Attractions in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda and shares borders with Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The national park is known as a haven for the rare and endangered Mountain Gorilla and Golden Monkey. The park is 13km from Musanze town or Ruhengeri, which is an administrative and the largest town in the district.

Volcanoes National Park is distributed in the districts of Musanze, Gakenke, and Burera. The park is also part of the tropical rainforest and the Afro-montane forest bordering the Virunga chain of Mountains that includes eight high mountains that are shared among the three East African countries. These are Karisimbi, Bisoke, Mikeno, Senkwekwe, Sabinyo, Ghinga, and Muhabura, where mountain gorilla trekking activity is carried out, visit to the tomb of Karisimbi, where the first conservation warden in the park is buried. The park also offers visitors a remarkable view of the lakes such as Empaqué De Gisenyi, Ruhondo, Kivu, and Burera of Rwanda, the Virunga Volcanoes, the rolling hills of the park, and local communities with the ease and observations of the rural life of some countries. The Volcanoes National Park is specially referred to as the Land of a Thousand Hills.

Mountain gorilla trekking

This is a primate attraction at Volcanoes National Park where visitors go for trekking. The national park is home to 10 habituated gorilla families available for trekking. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda also covers the great Virunga Massif, which borders Virunga National Park in Congo and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. The visitors travelling to Rwanda for gorilla trekking are required to have permits each. All permits are issued by Rwanda Development Board.

Golden monkey trekking

Golden monkey is another must do activity in Volcanoes National Park which attracts hundreds of visitors into this forest park. Golden monkeys are exceptional creatures which every visitor should not miss experiencing in their Rwanda safari. In Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla Forest National Park is where you can see golden monkey in their natural habitats.

Caving

Don’t miss out on visiting caves on your Rwanda safari to Volcanoes National Park. Experience the moment with the well-experienced guides that will lead you into these caves while telling you the mysterious history of these caves and all other traditional heritage of Rwanda’s history.

Volcano climbing

Apart from wildlife, Volcanoes National Park is home for three extinct volcanoes. Visitors at this park have the advantage of hiking to the top of any volcano which will reward them with wonderful views of Rwanda’s amazing rolling hills, Kigali city, Virunga volcanoes and local communities. Mount Karisimbi is the most hiked volcano and the most experienced feature.

Wildlife Activities done at Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is the best known for its incredible primates, the park hosts a surprisingly diverse range of wildlife. Although gorilla trekking is the popular activity in Volcanoes National Park, there are several
other amazing activities to choose from as a visitor. The major attractions include gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, bird watching, visiting the grave of Dian Fossey, mountain hiking, and touring the lakes Ruhondo and Burera.

Mountain gorillas

The Volcanoes National Park is one of the 4 national parks where mountain gorillas can be sighted. The other are Virunga National Park in Congo, Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The park’s star attraction is around 300 mountain gorillas that live there, organised into roughly dozens habituated groups including Susa, Amahoro, and Sabinyo that visitors can trek to see up close. There is a high chance of seeing gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park. Ten habituated Rwanda gorilla groups are available for tracking under the guidance of experienced rangers. It is important to be in good shape before embarking on an activity that can prove to be demanding depending on the gorilla groups that were assigned.

Tracking golden monkeys

Tracking golden monkey has gained popularity over the years and is now second to watch after gorilla trekking. Spotting these endangered monkeys feed, groom and swing from one bamboo to another. These primates are led by a dominate male. A striking, endangered primate endemic to the Virunga and Rwenzori region, with bright golden-orange fur. Golden Monkey Tracking is a popular, more affordable alternative to gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking can be done a day before or after gorilla trekking. The golden monkey is less strenuous than the gorillas because they don’t go to high altitudes in search for fresh foods. They prefer the bamboo shoots that grow at the base of the volcanoes. You can check out this on Golden Monkey Trekking Safari in Rwanda Packages and Nirvana Safaris Packages.

Bird watching

The volcanoes national park is a heaven for birdwatchers with 703 recorded species including at least 29 endemic to the Albertine Rift, Virunga, and Rwenzori regions. Notable sighting include the handsome francolin, Rwenzori turaco, white-winged swamp warbler, white-collared oliveback, grey-crowned canes, Caruthers’s cisticola, papyrus gonolek, northern brown-throated weaver, shoebills and many others.

Visiting the tomb of Dian Fossey

Diana Fossey is one of the greatest primatologist. Because of her courage and determination, poaching of mountain gorillas was greatly reduced in the volcanoes regions. Without her efforts, mountain gorillas would probably be extinct by now. She is credited for introducing new ways of making gorillas comfortable around human presence by imitating their sounds and gaining their trust. Today, hundred of visitors go pay homage to this great conservationist by visiting her grave and former Karisoke Research Centre located between mount Karisimbi and mount Bisoke. Please check this out on Nirvana Safaris and Dina Fossey memorial visit.

Hiking mount Karisimbi volcano

Mount Karisimbi is an extinct volcano that reaches a height of about 4,507 meters. Hiking mount Karisimbi is one of the top tourist attractions in Musanze. It is the 5 th highest in Africa therefore, mental and physical preparation is needed to complete the package day hikes. The hike involves navigating through thick forests before stopping at an altitude of 3,700 meters for the first stop, Rest and overnight. Hikers then continue with last steep section early in the morning and up to the top of the summit. The summit rewards hikers with great views of the volcanoes national park, the whitened snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, mount Nyiragongo and all the volcanoes within the Virunga region.

Mount Muhabura hike

Mount Muhabura is one of the most interesting and adventurous volcanoes to climb while visiting the volcanoes national park. At 4,127 meters, it is the third highest mountain within the Virunga ranges. Mountain Muhabura hike starts at a height of 1,200 meters and by the time one reaches the summit, they would have passed through beautiful green forests at the other Volcanoes within the wider Virunga region.

Visiting the twin lakes Ruhondo and Burera

After the major activities like gorilla trekking, one way to relax is to visit the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera. A boat cruise through the deep waters of these two lakes will reward you with beautiful sights of birds, the vast hilly landscape with waterfalls. While visiting the lakes Islands give you time to interact with the local people to learn more about their rich inheritage.

Mount Bisoke hike

Mount Bisoke is an extinct volcano that forms part of the wider Virunga Range Mountains. It is a 3 hours’ drive to reach the mountain from Kigali city. Hiking mount Bisoke takes one day and is relatively easier compared to Karisimbi. However the hikers need to be fit for the experience. Like all the activities at the park, everything starts with briefing at the park headquarters before heading out to the starting point. The roads from the headquarters to the head trail can be muddy with stones and require a 4 wheel drive car. For those with heavy luggage, porters are available.

Reptiles, amphibians, and insects- round out the biodiversity, thriving in the park’s varied habitats –from bamboo forests and rainforest to alpine meadows at higher elevations on the volcanic slopes. Together, this makes volcanoes national park not just a gorilla trekking destination, but also a genuinely rich wildlife ecosystem shaped by its volcanic terrain and altitude range.

How to get to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Volcanoes national park is one of the popular tourism destinations on the continent. Getting to volcanoes national park is very easy, one can find their way to Rwanda which is known as the land of a thousand hills and its nearest route. The process of volcanoes national park is very easy depending on the country where you are coming from. One can be coming from Congo or Uganda entering Rwanda that’s easy. The best way is to pass Musanze route or fly to Kigali international airport.

Flying from Entebbe international airport to Kigali international airport takes about 1 hours and 58 minutes but driving from Entebbe to pass via Mbarara-Kibale and connecting to Musanze route to the park, then from Kigali to volcanoes national park can only take 3-4 hours by road and you will be amazed with remarkable opportunity to spot a lot of features along the way to the park, places like genocide memorial centre and the national museum.

Volcanoes national park is the oldest national park in the whole African continent, the park is also known as Parc National Des Volcanos in a French word and Pariki Yigihugu in Kinyarwanda language. The park was established as a national park in 1925 purposely to protect and conserve the endangered mountain gorillas of Rwanda.

Best Time to Visit the Volcanoes National Park.

The time to explore the beauty in volcanoes national park depends on the visitor’s preferences as there are two seasons experienced mainly the dry and the wet seasons. However according to park is the dry season, the dry seasons run from June to mid-September and December to February. Each year encounters two dry seasons that offer an assurance of small amount of rainfall favoured by the rainforests in the park. The wet season is a time for the birders to watch colourful birds of volcanoes national park flying in the woods, walking on the grounds, swimming in the water and constructing nests.

The attractive ever-green vegetation covers the rainforests, bamboo, and mashes turning the park into a remarkable place for vacations. The wet seasons are experienced twice from March-May and October-November. These months are very cold at night.

The Untold Facts about the Destinations in Volcanoes National Park.

Bisoke’s Summit Crater Lake: Most people know Bisoke is climbable, but far fewer know there’s a stunning crater lake waiting at the top-genuine reward of most trekkers who don’t anticipate until the summit.
Iby’iwacu culture village: founded by a former poacher, this isn’t just a cultural stop-it was purposely built to give ex-poachers an alternative income so they would stop hunting gorillas.

Visiting it directly supports the same conservation mission as the park itself is something rarely
explained in typical listening. Gorilla Guardians’ Villages [formerly Iby’iwacu] sometimes confused with the cultural village above, this community runs initiative offers of traditional dance, herbal medicine demonstrations, and storytelling- designed specifically to channel tourism money into former poachers’ communities.

The Tripoint of Sabinyo and Ghinga is a niche but remarkable destination: hiking here lets you stand at the point where Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo all meet, literally three countries hike there with that few visitors realise that is possible. Twin lakes- Burera and Ruhondo while often mentioned in passing, few articles explain how these twins were formed; ancient lava flows from the volcanoes dammed river valleys creating these two scenic lakes rather than crater lakes as many assume. They are popular for canoeing and boat rides but remains largely overlooked next to gorilla trekking.

Musanze caves formed roughly 62 million years ago, these lava tubes were historically used by locals as hiding places during tribal conflicts. Turning it into volcanic formation into a site of very human history. It is a rare case where geological and human history sit stacked in the same space, something most travel guides skip over. Commonly asked Questions about Volcanoes National Park

Frequently Asked Questions about volcanoes national park.

1. What to do in volcanoes national park?

Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park is gorilla trekking which can start with booking a gorilla trekking permits. You have to state the date you wish to do gorilla trekking and the rest of your entire itinerary is tailored around those dates.
Volcanoes national park has about 13 gorilla trekking families that are open for tourist visits. Some include the Amahoro gorilla family, Sabinyo gorilla family, Susa gorilla family, Kwitonda gorilla family, Karisimba gorilla family, Umubano gorilla family, Hirwa gorilla family, Ugenda gorilla family, Bwenge gorilla family, and many others. The topography of volcanoes national park is generally steep making the hike to locate the
gorillas a little more. This is why you need to do some fair exercises before gorilla trekking to keep your muscles in shape. You need to withstand the slope climbing before locating the mountain gorillas.

Only 1 hour is allowed to be with mountain gorillas because they are habituated to being in the presence of humans for just some time. Kwita izina day is the gorilla naming ceremony in Rwanda. Each yeah, when new borns are registered, a ceremony is done to mark the achievement made. It is Kwita Izina day and people travel from all over the world to attend this special function that brings out the beauty of conservation.

2. What Accommodations to Book in Volcanoes National Park?
Enjoying overnight within or out of the volcanoes national park is part of the adventure. You may want to stay in Kigali city or River to Ruhengeri for overnight before gorilla trekking. A wide range of accommodation facilities are available to book when in volcanoes national park. All budgets are catered for ranging from luxury accommodation, mid-range to budget accommodations. Some accommodation include: Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Sabinyo SilverbacknLodge, Kinigi Guest House, Best View Hotel, Le Bamboo, Hotel Mille Collins, Faraja Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, and many more.

3. How to Get To Volcanoes National Park?
Travelling to Volcanoes National Park is mainly by road from Kigali airport. You go through winding roads for about 3 hours. Daily public transport is available from Kigali to Musanze. You need to hire private means to connect to Volcanoes National Park.

4. What to Pack for Volcanoes National Park?
Tracking in comfortable boots that will enable you to hike to locate the mountain gorillas. A rain jacket gear or poncho to protect you from getting wet when it rains or the dripping dew on the leaves that falls like drops of rain. Long sleeved shirt and trousers in khaki that will protect your skin from insect bites in the forest.
Insect repellent that can protect your skin from insects during the hike. The forest has stinging insects that can bite you. A camera that is flashless to capture the memories of the gorilla trekking experience in volcanoes National Park.

5. What Is The Best Time To Visit Volcanoes National Park?
All year round Volcanoes National Park is open for tourist visits. The peak is seasons from June- September and December are busiest, so if a visitor is planning a trip to East Africa Gorilla trekking safari in that period, you need to reserve the gorilla trekking permit in advance before the trek.

This period also has dry season, and the soil is not muddy but more sun, these months are June to Mid September and the short dry season from December to mid-February. The wet months of March to May and November are also open for visitors to carry all of your trekking gear and hiking requirements. Because when it rains severely and the weather is extremely cold.

These months sometimes call for discounted gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda. The terms and conditions of the Rwanda Development Board apply to secure discounted permits. For more information about frequently asked questions about Volcanoes National Park plus services offered by Nirvana safaris, kindly get in touch by the email or phone number as we will advise you accordingly. Visit our TripAdvisor page to see what other talk about their experience with us.
Volcanoes National Park is a gem of natural beauty and biodiversity in Rwanda, its volcanic landscape, rich variety of primates and conservation achievement makes it a premier destination for ecotourism and adventure. Whether trekking to see mountain gorillas, climbing volcanic peaks or visitors engaging with local people in the park.