Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes national park is the most popular national park and safari destination in Rwanda best known for mountain gorilla trekking, the park is set along the Virunga Mountains with 8 primeval volcanoes shared by Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is situated approximately 3 hours from Kigali City in the north of Rwanda, volcanoes national park is at high altitude and because of the altitude it is generally cold especially in the early morning and the evenings, visitors are advised to carry a light sweater for these times of the day.

Volcanoes national park lies in the Great Virunga Conservation Area comprising of Mgahinga Gorilla national park in Uganda and Volcanoes national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Volcanoes national park is situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, the park protects the steep lopes of the magnificent Virunga mountain range which is a home to the endangered mountain gorillas and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystem. The park covers an area of 160 square kilometers comprising of evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.

Volcanoes national park was established as a wildlife conservation area in the early 1920’s and it gets its name after the chain of dormant volcanoes making up the Virunga Massif. Karisimbi – the highest at 4,507 meters, Bisoke with a verdant Crater Lake, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura.

Dian Fossey

Dian Fossey – an American primatologist played a great role in the conservation of mountain gorillas, she dedicated her life to the protection and conservation of mountain gorillas, she carried out research on mountain gorillas at the Karisoke Research Center in Volcanoes national park. Her study on the mountain gorillas lasted for 18 years and as a result of her study, we are able to have an increasing number of mountain gorillas which directly contributes to gorilla conservation. much of her work is potrayed in the International acclaimed film “Gorillas in the Mist” which was shot in Volcanoes national park.

Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes national park

Mountain gorillas are the prime attraction in Volcanoes national park, the park is one of the 4 mountain gorilla destinations in the world and it is a home to several gorilla families with some habituated for gorilla tourism and others for research. Each of the gorilla families in Volcanoes national park have a name depending on different circumstances and is led by a silverback.

Gorilla families in Volcanoes national park include

• Amahoro gorilla group
• Sabyinyo gorilla group
• Kwitonda gorilla group
• Ugenda gorilla group
• Susa (A) gorilla group
• Karisimbi/ Susa B gorilla group
• Bwenge gorilla group
• Titus gorilla group

Wildlife in Volcanoes national park

Though Volcanoes national park is known for hosting the endangered mountain gorillas, the park hosts a range of wildlife including the beautiful, rare and endangered golden monkeys which are only found in the Virunga region. Other animals found in the forests of Virunga include Forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, duikers, spotted hyenas, bush-bucks and several primates.

Birds of Volcanoes national park

Volcanoes national park is a home to over 200 bird species including a number of Albertine Rift endemics which makes the park a perfect destination for bird watching enthusiasts, some of the birds to look out for during Rwanda birding safaris include Grauer’s rush warbler, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori double –collared Sunbird, handsome francolin, strange weaver, dusky crimson-wing, collared Apalis, red-faced woodland warbler and Archer’s ground robin among others.

Rwanda safari activities to do in Volcanoes national park

Gorilla trekking safari

Gorilla trekking is the major safari activity in Volcanoes national park, this memorable safari activity is done once  a day with 8 individuals visiting each of the habituated gorilla family in the rain forests of Volcanoes national park per day.

Visitors going for gorilla trekking are expected to arrive at the park’s headquarters at 7 am where they are briefed about expectations and the rules and regulations to follow during this experience, later they are distributed into groups of 8 people and assigned a gorilla family to trek.  In company of a ranger you will start your trek in search for the mountain gorillas, gorilla trekking takes approximately 3-5 hours depending on the movement of mountain gorillas and where they spent the previous night, once you locate the gorillas you will be able to stay in their presence for only one hour while watching them carry on with their life, you are permitted to take pictures as long as your flash light is off.

Bird watching

Volcanoes national park ranked among the 3 important Birding Areas (IBA) in Rwanda with the rare Albertine rift endemics, Volcanoes national park is a home to over 200 bird species. Some of the birds you should expect to see include Grauer’s rush warbler, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori double –collared Sunbird, handsome francolin, strange weaver, dusky crimson-wing, collared Apalis, red-faced woodland warbler and Archer’s ground robin among others.

Golden monkey trekking

Golden monkey trekking is another amazing primate safari activity offered in Volcanoes national park, on this activity visitors are expected to arrive at the park’s headquarters for briefing as early as 7 am on how to behave and relate while in the presence of the golden monkeys.

Volcanoes national park is a home to a total of 80 habituated golden monkeys with two habituated troops living in the bamboo vegetation because of their love for bamboo shoots, golden monkeys are very playful that is why they are very interesting to be around and while in their presence. You will watch them play on tree branches and pick fruits and bamboo shoots which they eat as food.

Mountain hiking

Volcanoes national park offers some of the best hiking expeditions in Rwanda with hikes on Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi.

Hiking Mount Bisoke

Mount Bisoke has a remarkable crater lake at the top which makes hiking this volcano a very rewarding adventure, the hike takes about 6 hours which includes 2 hours spent descending back down. However some of the experienced hikers can take as few as 3 hours or less and an hour descending.

Hiking Mount Bisoke starts as early as 07:00 am with briefing at the park’s headquarters where you will be taken through the rules and regulations to follow during the adventure, you can hire porters who will help with your luggage at a minimal fee.

Hiking Mount Karisimbi

Mt. Karisimbi hiking is the highest of the Virunga volcanoes standing at 4,507 meters above the sea level and the 5^th highest in Africa, the volcano is situated along the Rwanda and DR Congo border on the western rift valley. The volcano derives its name from “a masimbi” which means white shell in Kinyarwanda because of the white – capped summit which is a result of hail and sleet accumulating.

Hiking Karisimbi is strenuous but very rewarding taking 2 days for the total journey starting through Bisoke, during the hike you will have chances of spotting various birds and several primates including mountain gorillas.

Visiting Musanze Caves

Musanze Caves were formed as a result of volcanic eruption which resulted into the formation of an underground space large enough for the humans to enter, the caves are 2 kilometers long with walk ways and stairs that take you to the dark interior of the caves.

Diani Fossey Tomb Tour

Dian Fossey Tour takes you to the Dian Fossey Tomb giving you an insight in the life of Dian Fossey and her gorilla conservation in the Virunga region, during this hike you will learn more about the interest of the Late Dian Fossey and her efforts which later led to gorilla tourism.

Dian Fossey takes about 1-2 hours and during the hike through the forests you will enjoy sights of forest animals like the elephants, buffaloes, forest hogs and several bird species. You will arrive at Dian Fossey house where she was mysteriously murdered in 1985 and later buried next to Digit her favorite gorilla friend, the gorilla grave yard has about 20 gorillas buried here that were killed by poachers or by natural causes.

Cultural Tours

Cultural tours in Volcanoes national park take you to the Iby’Iwacu  – Gorila Guardians Village an initiative for local people who were formerly involved  in poaching of gorillas and are now on the conservation road. The village was started Edwin Sabuhoro and he transformed the then notorious poachers into conservatisms. During the visit to the village will continue to expound on conservation efforts and provide a livelihood for many of the community members.

During the cultural tours, you will enjoy experiences of the village by taking part in the activities such as join royalty by being crowned king or queen for the day, learn about the traditional lifestyles and enjoy music and dance.

Getting to Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes national park is situated approximately 2 hours’ drive from Kigali City, the park is also situated in a drive of 30 minutes from the border of Uganda and Rwanda using Cyanika border in Kisoro. Though road transport is the commonly used means of transport to Volcanoes national park, there are flight services offered by Akagera Aviation using helicopters.

Accommodation in Volcanoes national park

Safari lodges and camps offering accommodations and other facilities in Volcanoes national park range from luxury, midrange to basic accommodations. These include

• Bisate Lodge
• Kwitonda Lodge
• Virunga lodge
• Sabyinyo silverback lodge
• One & Only Gorilla Nest
• Le bambou gorilla lodge
• Mountain gorilla view lodge
• Kinigi guesthouse
• Muhabura hotel
• Garden place hotel