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Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is best known for mountain gorilla trekking but the park is also rich with many other exotic activities to engage in. This park is part of the Virunga volcanoes which are shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. This park is an evergreen bamboo forest with grassland areas, swamp and heath in other areas.
The mountain gorillas are the prime attraction in volcanoes national park with gorilla trekking happening all year round. Because of the high altitude it is generally cold, especially early morning and the evenings, you are advised to carry a light sweater for these times. The park is located only 2 hours from Kigali in the north of Rwanda.
Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range – home of the endangered mountain gorilla and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.
Volcanoes National Park is named after the chain of dormant volcanoes making up the Virunga Massif: Karisimbi – the highest at 4,507m, Bisoke with its verdant crater lake, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura.
Volcanoes National park also known as Parc National des Volcans is Rwanda’s most popular national park known mostly for mountain gorilla trekking. And although the stars of Volcanoes national park are mountain gorillas, it offers much more.
The park is located in the northern district of Musanze, was recognized in 1925, making it the oldest national park in Africa.
It is part of the Virunga Conservation Area covering 125 km² and which spans to Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, continuing to Virunga National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park respectively and has five Virunga volcanoes that Sabyinyo (3.674 m), Gahinga (3.474 m), Bisoke (3711 m), Muhabura (4.127 m), and the Karisimbi which is the highest volcano at an altitude of 4.507 meters above sea level. All these five volcanoes are extinct and the active ones are in Congo with Nyiragongo which erupted in January 2002 and Nyamulagira in July 2002.
The Virunga is composed of 4 major vegetation zones that bamboo which is at the base altitude), Hagenia and Hypericum forest (2600-3300m), Sub-alpine (3300-4000m), and Afro-alpine (4000m).
It should be noted that this park was Dian Fossey’s base for a long time
1. Gorilla Trekking or Gorilla Tracking
Gorilla Trekking or Gorilla tracking is the most popular activity in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Mountain Gorillas are highly endangered and can only be found in three countries in the whole world. These are Rwanda (Obviously), Uganda and DR Congo. Tracking Mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes is an experience that cannot be compared to another. The tracking is highly guided by a great team of rangers, guides and porters who make sure that you have a magical experience. The trek starts by a briefing at the park offices with a cup of Rwanda coffee and entertainment from the cultural dancers.
You are then led into the park, searching for the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park takes 2-7 hours before meeting the mountain gorillas. The time taken to see mountain gorillas depends on where these beautiful giant gorillas nested the previous night. Once you come face to face with them, you are allowed only one hour with them. The whole experience observing them how they interact with each other, feed and play is a once in a life time experience.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park can be done on a 2 Days gorilla trekking tour (Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Day 2: Gorilla tracking and transfer back to Kigali) or you can choose from the different suggested itineraries in Rwanda which can be tailor made to suit your tour needs and budget.
2. Golden Monkey Habituation
Golden Monkey Habituation takes goes for a whole day and begins at 7am. The golden monkeys being visited here are very shy and not used to human presence and the habituation process is to prepare them for future treks.
3. Iby’lyacu Cultural village
After you gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park, you can visit Iby’lyacu Cultural village. You will learn about the cultural of Rwanda that includes music and dances and learning about herbal medicine that the people used before modern medicine, learn ways of the ancient Rwanda Kingdom. Visitors will be welcomes by the beautiful sounds of drums and joyful dancers. Most of the dancers and performers at the village are ex-poachers. The activities at the center are interactive and can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
4. Visit Dian Fossesy Grave
Visitors staying around Volcanoes National park can hike the ‘Dian Fossey Tomb Trail’. She is very key in mountain gorilla conservation and did most of her research about mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park but also in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Congo’s Virunga National park.
5. Visit the twin lakes:
Go for a visit to the twin lakes Bulera and Ruhondo located a stone throw away from Volcanoes National park. They offer breath taking sceneries
There are about 5 habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park that can be visited during gorilla trekking. These are;
Golden monkey trekking takes place in Volcanoes national park once a day in the early morning much like gorilla trekking. You are expected to arrive at the briefing place at the pack headquarters as early as 7 am for briefing about how to behave and relate with these creatures in the wild. You will then be divided into two groups if you are many and start your trek led by the experience and jolly ranger guides. Enjoy the traditional dances from a local troupe and a hot cup of coffee before your briefing.
The park currently has two habituated troops that are open for visiting. The total number of individuals from both is 80 habituated for tourism. Golden monkeys live mostly in the bamboo vegetation because of their lover for bamboo shoots and unlike the mountain gorillas, they are active, which makes the trekking very engaging and interesting. You will be following after them as they hope from one area to another looking for food.
Volcanoes national park is one of the 3 Important Birding Areas (IBA) in Rwanda with the rare Albertine rift endemics. Together with your bird guide, start your birding day ready with binoculars and camera to capture some of the spectacular birds in the Virunga. Your main search for the day will be the Albertine rift endemics, enjoy the great scenery as you bird.
Hiking Mt Bisoke
Mount Bisoke has a remarkable crater lake at the top, which makes hiking this volcano a rewarding adventure. The hike takes about 6 hours which includes the 2 hours spent descending back down. However some of the experienced hikers take as few as 3 or less and an hour descending. Just like all activities, hikers meet at 7 am at the RDB offices where they listen to a briefing and start the hike with the assigned ranger guide. Your ranger guide is knowledgeable and ready to share the mountain adventures with you. You have access to porters who will help with your luggage at a minimal fee, you are highly encouraged to take a porter along. This is for your own freedom in enjoying the hike but also provides employment to the porters.
Hike Mt Karisimbi
Mt Karisimbi is the highest of the Virunga volcanoes at 4507m above sea level and fifth highest in Africa. It is along the Rwanda and DR Congo border on the western rift valley. It derives its name from ‘amasimbi’ which means “white shell” in Kinyarwanda because of the white-capped summit a result of hail and sleet accumulating. The Karisimbi hike is strenuous but rewarding taking two days for the total journey starting through Bisoke. You have chances of sighting birds, several primates including gorillas on rare occasions and remarkable scenery.
Volcanoes National Park is at a high altitude and is generally very cold especially in the evening.
Gorilla trekking takes place throughout the year and all acitivites in and around the park can be done throughout the year.
Gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park takes place anytime of the year.
The park can be accessed by road transport. It is about 3 hours from Kigali aiport or town to Volcanoes National Park. We use 4 x 4 WD safari vehicles; either safari vans or safari land cruisers
The park can also be accessed by charter flights and helicopters.
Interesting Facts about the Park
Mountain gorillas can only be found in only two locations in the world, and that is in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda and in the Virunga Mountains that straddle the borders of Rwanda, DR Congo and Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is one of the 3 parks within the Virunga mountains that protect mountain gorillas with Virunga National Park in DR Congo and Mganhinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda completing the set.
Despite the fact that Rwanda’s gorilla permit is the most expensive in all the 3 mountain gorilla trekking destinations (at $1,500), the country still attracts the highest number of gorilla trekkers in the region. This is due to a number of factors which give Rwanda an advantage over its neighbours as far as gorilla trekking is concerned. These include a good transport network evidenced by the well tarmacked roads right from the airport to the park.
The short distance between the airport and the park which takes just 3 hours of driving is another favourable factor. High quality accommodation facilities with good services and for all categories of travellers which include luxury, midrange and budget facilities also give Rwanda another competitive advantage over Uganda and DR Congo. Guaranteed security in and around Volcanoes National Park is another encouraging factor that attracts thousands of travellers to trek gorillas here. Finally, the gorilla trekking exercise in Volcanoes National Park is less tenacious compared to other trekking destinations like Bwindi which is very hilly and with dense vegetation.
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