Spreading over 160 square kilometers in the northeastern Province of Rwanda, Volcanoes National park is a top travel destination in the land of a thousand hills. The park was garzetted in 1952 majorly to protect the endangered mountain gorillas which were on the verge of extinction to poachers and habit loss. Volcanoes National park covers Rwanda’s share of the Virunga Conservation Area bordered by Virunga National park of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. In 1957, Volcanoes National park became a base of Dian Fossey, an American primatologist who launched a campaign to save the endangered mountain gorillas. Dian Fossey but a karisoke research center in Volcanoes park and started preaching the gospel of gorilla conservation something which led to her killing by poachers
Wildlife in Volcanoes National park (Flora and Fauna)
Volcanoes National park is a rain forest which comprises of various vegetation types ranging from swamps, lichens , ferns, marshes, meadows and secondary thickets among others. The wild animals in Volcanoes National park include the famous mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, African elephants, bushbuck, black-fronted duiker, buffalos and bush pigs among others.
Major attractions in Volcanoes National park
- Mountain gorillas are the number one tourist attraction in Volcanoes National park. 10 gorilla families namely, Karisimbi, Titus, Amahoro, Sabyinyo, Susa A group, Umubano gorilla family, Agashya gorilla group, Kwitonda gorilla family, Ugenda family and Bwengye gorilla group, have been habituated for trekking in Volcanoes National park.
- Golden Monkeys are yet another popular tourist attraction in Volcanoes National Park.
Golden Monkeys in VNP
The park s one of the only 2 destinations to trek golden monkeys besides Mgahinga gorilla National park in Uganda. 2 golden monkey communities have been habituated for trekking in Volcanoes National park.
- Virunga Volcanoes: Volcanoes National park is home to 3 extinct Virunga Volcanoes namely (Mt Karismbi, Mt Bisoke and My Sabyinyo, which shares borders with Uganda and Congo. Volcanoes National park is, therefore, a center for Rwanda hiking tours rewarding travelers with adventurous hiking experience. A 2 Days Mt Karismbi hiking is not a miss for every adventure traveler to Rwanda. If you have limited time, book a 1-Day Bisoke hike for a simple but memorable hiking experience.
- Bulera and Ruhondo Twin lakes
Enjoy a boat cruise on the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo in the heart of Volcanoes National park. You will cruise along with local people going to their gardens, which gives you a chance to interact and share experiences with local people.
- Musanze Caves are also a must-visit in Volcanoes National park for an exceptional underground experience.
Top Tourist activities in Volcanoes National park
Travelers to Volcanoes National park have an endless list of tourist activities that reward them with an exceptional experience. The top tourist activities in VNP include:
- Mountain gorilla trekking:
Gorillas in Volcanoes Park
This is the major tourist activity, which bring the highest number of travelers to Volcanoes National park. its undeniable that over 99% of travelers to Volcanoes National park come for gorilla trekking. since May 2017, Rwanda transformed into a luxury gorilla safari destination following the double increase of gorilla permit prices from $750 to $1500 per permit. Every day, each gorilla family is visited by a group of eight people for an hour’s interaction. Gorilla permit booking can be done directly with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or through African Apes Tours & Travel, your number one travel agent in East Africa. The magical feeling of meeting face to face with the endangered silverback is worth the money.
- Golden Monkey Trekking
Do not miss trekking to see golden monkeys in Volcanoes National park. Currently, golden monkey trekking has become so popular in Rwanda attracting a high number of travelers to this rain forest. Fortunately, a permit to trek golden monkeys costs $100, which is fairer compared to gorilla permits.
- Dian Fossey Grave yard Hike
Dian Fossey Grave Yard
Endeavor to hike to the graveyard of Dian Fossey, an American primatologist who lost her life to save mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif. Dian Fossey was killed by poachers who were against her campaign to save the then critically endangered mountain gorillas. Hiking to Dian Fossey graveyard is a sign of respect for her effort and love for gorillas, which has seen the population of gorillas risen to 1004 as of 2018 gorilla census.
- Kwita Izina Ceremony
This is the annual naming f baby gorillas born in Volcanoes National park. Kwita Izina is celebrated every September of the year where different tourism officials are invited to give these baby gorillas names. In this year 2019, 25 baby gorillas were named at the Kinigi headquarters of Volcanoes National Park.
- How to get to Volcanoes National park
The park is roughly 2hours and 30 minutes drive from Kigali International airport. Volcanoes National park is, therefore, the most accessible gorilla park in Africa and the best option for short time travelers. Fly into Kigali international airport and drive north-westwards to Musanze province. Travelers doing a 1 Day Rwanda gorilla trek leave Kigali at 4:30am to catch-up with the pre gorilla trekking experience at the park headquarters in Kinigi. Public buses, taxis, Boda bodas and private car hires are all available for transfers.
- Lodges/Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park
Bisate Lodge
Regarding where to sleep in Volcanoes National park, a variety of lodge and camps have been constructed to serve travelers with first-class food and sleeping services at affordable rates. The top accommodation facilities in Volcanoes National park include Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, Vila Gorilla Lodge/ Virunga Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes Lodge, and Kinigi Guesthouse. The lodge services vary from Budget, Midrange and Luxury depending on the standard of the lodging facility but all services are excellent and worth it. Magical Gorilla Safaris is at your service to book and reserve
A Rwanda safari to Volcanoes National park offers you a lifetime experience. Contact African Apes Tours today, book a Rwanda safari to Volcanoes park for gorilla trekking, golden monkeys, Dian Fossey hike and Virunga volcanoes for a memorable experience at affordable rates.
