The Volcanoes National Park is a national park in northwestern Rwanda. It covers 160 km2 (62 sq. mi) of rain forest and encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. It borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. It is home to the mountain gorilla and the golden monkey, and was the base for the primatologist Dian Fossey.
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. Rwanda hosts almost a third of the world’s estimated population of about 900 mountain gorillas. These great apes are protected in the Volcanoes National Park.
The unique opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat is unforgettable, some even say life changing. Encounters with gorillas as they go about their daily lives are carefully managed, with expert trackers and guides leading small groups of tourists up bamboo-covered slopes to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour just a few feet away from the gentle creatures. Tracking gorillas in Rwanda is safe and relatively accessible.
Go Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Tracking mountain gorillas commence very early in the morning after a short briefing from the park headquarters where information about gorilla tracking are given to clients by the park wardens/park rangers. Then after the briefing, trackers are guided by the ranger guide to head to the forest to begin the activity one of the most breathtaking and memorable moment at the park. You are only allowed one hour with these giants while observing their behaviors as well as taking as many photos as you can. Gorillas usually reside is a group comprising of 6-10 members although the group can extent to up to 35 members. The group is lead by a dominant silverback usually when it reaches the age of 13 years and above, the silverback is responsible for any activities taking place in the group including protecting the group, deciding were to build new nest for the following night, the silverback is also responsible for any fertilization in the group among other duties. Other members in the group include females with their young.
The life of a mountain gorilla begins at around 6am, they wake up and begin searching for food and this normally covers a great part of the morning time. Gorillas normally spent about 30% feeding and about 30% travelling this includes time spent looking for food and 40% resting. Not like other primates, Gorillas live mostly on ground; they travel not more than a kilometer per day within their territory. They feed on roots; leaves, stems and pith of herbs, vine and shrubs, and irregularly eat ants and other insects. They rarely drink water since most of the foods they consume consists too much water. Mountain gorillas have contributed a lot to the government of Rwanda due to a very big number of travelers who track gorillas every day, over 80% of travelers to Rwanda go gorilla tracking and some of the revenue collected goes direct to help the local people that surrounds the park to improve their well-being’s and to stop the habit of hunting gorillas for trade meat and medicine.
Today you can’t talk of Rwanda without mentioning mountain gorillas, this means it has contributed a lot to the government revenue and they have made the country very pride thanks goes to Diane Fossy who habituated these giant apes to human standards that they can be tracked safely in their natural habitat without any harm they caused to human. You are called upon not to miss this chance, just book a gorilla safari package with one of the local tour operators listed on this page.
Things to Do in Volcanoes National Park
A lot of other activities to offer: Rwanda’s Volcanoes is the best destination for gorilla trekking safaris because it not only offers gorilla trekking experience but also other activities like;
Golden monkey Trekking
The fun of following the golden monkeys after gorilla trekking is only left to the Virunga area in the world. Volcanoes National Park is one of the habitats of this endangered monkey specie in the world and Mgahinga gorilla national park of Uganda. During the experience you follow the semi-habituated troupes of monkeys as you enjoy their lifestyles like swinging on different tree branches and others.
While trekking to see the golden monkeys you may get to spot other primates like black and white colobus, L’Hoest’s, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons the list is endless. Volcanoes National Park is a primate haven in Rwanda.
Mountain Climbing
Also, after gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park, you can opt for a mountain hike for last a day on a return adventure. Volcanoes includes 5 volcanoes including Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Gahinga, and Mountain Sabyinyo that offer different expeditions and adventures.
As you hike, go through different vegetation zones according to an altitude between 2400m to 2500m Neoboutania, 2500m to 3200m Arundinaria, and 3200m to 3600m Hagenia- Hypericum. These vegetation are also feeding grounds for the primates that live in this park.
Birding
During gorilla trekking, you have a double opportunity to spot a number of birds inclusive of Albertine endemics. Volcanoes National park gives safe haven to the abundant birdlife ranging from 90 to 100 in number. Among the birds to identify during the walk include; Shelley’s Crimson wings, handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Arche’s Robin chat, and others. Volcanoes National park is the top Rwanda birding destination.
Hiking to the Dian Fossey trek
Dian Fossey was not only a famous primatologist but also a devoted conservationist the world today boasts about. She studied primates and most importantly, treasured animals since her childhood. Dian Fossey met Dr. Louis Seymour Bazett Leakey who got impressed by the passion for animals and it was from here that she was told of studying primates in Africa and specifically, she devoted herself to learn about mountain gorillas.
She conducted her research for about 18 years in the Virunga Mountain ranges and she gave birth to the current details of gorilla trekking in Africa through her research. After realizing how humans were heartless about the existence of the mountain gorillas that were on the verge of extinction by the 1980s, she started the habituation process. In 1967 she set up the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda where she staged her work.
Not all went as she desired because by in 1985, Dian Fossey met her death by unknown people. Her love for the mountain gorillas followed her to the grave as she was buried amongst the gorillas which was her wish. Part of her work still exists and an institution was set up in her memory.
Whenever you choose a visit to the Dian Fossey grave contribute greatly to conserving the endangered mountain gorillas. As of now, the number of mountain gorillas are rising every census currently over 1000 gorillas from 250 mountain gorillas by the 1980s but more is still needed.
How to Get to Volcanoes National Park
The easiest way to enter Rwanda is by flying into the capital city of Kigali. On arrival at Kigali International Airport, you’ll receive a 30 day single entry tourist visa. We recommend spending a couple of days in Kigali at the start or end of your trip, or you can make your way directly to Volcanoes National Park.
The park is located about 105 kilometres from Kigali and is a two hour drive from the airport.