To the north lies the Volcanoes National Park, which protects the Rwandan portion of the virunga mountains, a trans frontier conservation area that includes protected areas in Uganda and the DRC and forms a complex of mostly dormant volcanoes, it includes Rwanda’s highest point, mount karisimbi (4,507 m), and the two active volcanoes, mount Nyiragongo and mount Nyamuragira.
The popular Volcanoes National Park Rwanda boasts almost 100 bird species but is more famous for being home to world’s last remaining mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Although visited predominantly for the mountain gorillas, there are several other tourism sites and opportunities in the park and surrounding area. There is a chance to climb to the mount Bisoke’s beautiful crater lake or even the hike to the summit of the Karimbi mountain, the 5th highest mountain of Africa.
The often neglected twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo and the nearby Rugezi swamp are recognized for their excellent water birding opportunities. With in the area there are a number of community based tourism tours on offer, for example: visiting villages, agric-production plants, an ethno botany tour or even a group of local fishermen using traditional methods, or simply sit back and take in the breath taking scenery of the area.
The Virunga Volcanoes
Parc National Des Volcans is renowned for its six (6) Virungas; the only habitat to the endangered mountain Gorilla. The Parc is protected and managed by the Rwandan office fro tourism and National parks (ORTPN) and this conservation area has contributed to the main safaris to Rwanda.
Similar to chimpanzee tracking, tourists on a gorilla trekking activity are allowed to spend an hour watching these apes performing their daily activities, resting, playing, gathering food and feeding. It is your golden opportunity to shoot a picture of the amazing creatures in their natural habitat.
The Birunga massif in the north of Rwanda, with five magnificent volcanoes, including Karisimbi with the highest peak of 4,507 meters. The ‘ Volcano National Park’ is located on the common border of Rwanda, Congo and Uganda where Diana Fossey studied 600 gorillas in Rwanda for many years.
The National Volcano Park is a primary forest lying on a chain of 5 volcanoes that encourage you do an excursion. The chain is extended to the Congo-Nile Crete separating two important large basins of Africa. Created in 1925 with the aim of protecting mountain gorillas, it was the first National Park in Africa and covers an area of 12,500 hectares. The five volcanoes situated in Rwanda are:
- Karisimbi : 4 507 m
- Muhabura : 4 127 m
- Bisoke : 3 711 m
- Sabyinyo : 3 634 m
- Gahinga : 3 474 m
- Mikeno : 4 437 m
- Nyiragongo : 3 470 m
- Nyamuragira : 3 058 m
Gorilla Families in the Park
The volcanoes National Park is characterized by the oldest mountain gorilla families living in a very splendid world and very attractive to the visitors. There are ten gorilla groups that are habituated for gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park:
- Groupe Sabyinyo
- Groupe Amahoro
- Groupe Susa
- Groupe 13
- Groupe Kwitonda
- Groupe umubano
- Groupe Hirwa
You can visit mountain gorillas or go on the following excursions:
- Visiting the tomb of the researcher Dian Fossey Research Center
- Climbing Volcano Karisimbi and Bisoke
- Visiting Musanze cave
- Lakes Burera-Ruhondo tour
- Visiting monkeys
- Discovering the ecosystem of four types of vegetation including low altitude bamboos.
Things to Do in Volcanoes National Park
There are lots of things to do in Volcanoes National Park. Here are the top adventure activities that you can engage in during your visit to the park;
Gorilla trekking
The Volcanoes National Park is without doubt the most preferred park in Africa where tourists flock to get up close and personal with mountain gorillas. At USD 1500 per person for a gorilla permit, you stand a chance to visit the park’s habituated gorilla families. In the entire Volcanoes NP, there are 12 habituated gorilla groups and a single family is visited by maximum of 8 visitors.
Golden monkey tracking
The golden monkeys are stunning species worth encountering on Rwanda gorilla safaris. Volcanoes NP is one of the Virunga Areas where nature lovers can locate these charming primates while in their natural habitat. Golden monkey permits for Volcanoes N/Park cost USD 100.
Volcano hiking
Of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes/massifs, 5 all exist in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda including Bisoke Volcano, Mount Karisimbi, Mt. Sabyinyo, Gahinga, and Muhabura volcano. The main focus on hiking tour should be Mt. Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, and Bisoke.
Birding
Birding in Volcanoes N/P is a special experience, a remarkable opportunity to encounter diversity of birds. The ideal time for bird watching in Volcanoes NP is around the wet season if you are interested in migratory bird sightings. The dry season is good for birding, but more favorable for mountain gorilla trekking.
The birds to look out on birding tour in Volcanoes Park Rwanda include scarlet-tufted sunbird, grauer’s swamp warblers, brown-necked parrot, archer’s robin-chat, African long-eared owl, dusky crimson wing, red-faced woodland warblers, lagden’s bush-shrike, dusky turtle dove, strange weaver bird, Rwenzori nightjars and more.
Dian Fossey trek
The Dian Fossey tomb trek takes you through the Dian Fossey gorilla conservation legacy. You can combine this remarkable adventure with many experiences offered in Volcanoes National Park.
In summary, Volcanoes National Park harbors unique vegetation cover where most of its wildlife/faunal/floral species reside. The park is notably one of the scenic protected areas thanks to its well-kept vegetation cover.
Plan Your Trip
When you plan a gorilla trek to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is via Ruhengeri town; a one and a half hours drive from Kigali city, the country’s capital. Gorilla trackers organize and hire cars for private transportation on their gorilla tour from Ruhengeri; the last stop over town adjacent to the park boundaries and proceed to the headquarters and follow the tracking trails on foot.
You can also plan a day trip to track Rwanda gorillas with several tour operators who plan organized trips in the Volcanoes National Park as well as nearby national parks. Following the well-maintained network of nature trails, we will take you through the forest, encountering creepers, hanging vines, colorful giant lobelia and misty bamboo. Regularly, golden monkeys among other mammals will be seen swinging from one branch to another whereas buffaloes and duikers will cross your path at the time when you least expect it.
Several tour companies organizes tours to the Volcanoes National Park. The request for visit is generally simple. But visiting mountain gorillas depends on whether you have the authorization issued by ORTNP, which demand is very high. The booking is normally done in advance, and payment must be made at least six month earlier. For the tour, you need take the following items with you:
- shoes appropriate to a long excursion
- a rain coat, a hat and gloves.
- long-sleeved clothes and long trousers.
- enough drinking water
- a camera and films but a flash is not allowed
- a light bag
Getting to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali & other locations
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is reachable from Uganda, Kigali city and D.R. Congo. From Kigali, you will drive for just 2 to 3 hours and you get to this beautiful gorilla safari park in Musanze District, located in the Northern Province of Rwanda.
From Uganda, drive from Kabale and connect via Katuna border or start your road trip from Kisoro via Chanika border, then connect to Kinigi where Volcanoes N/Park offices are or to your safari lodge.
Accommodation
The Volcanoes National Park accommodation facilities include budget, midrange and luxury. The lodges/hotels in and around Volcanoes NP include Virunga Hotel, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, La Palme Hotel, Five Volcanoes Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse, Le Boubou Gorilla Lodge, Bisate Lodge, and others.