Volcanoes National park
Volcanoes National park Rwanda Volcanoes National park Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is an iconic destination, the location of the
Volcanoes National park
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is an iconic destination, the location of the film Gorillas in the Mist. The park is named after the chain of dormant volcanoes making up the Virunga Massif, the highest of which is 4,507m. Also known as Par National des Volcans in Frenc, Volcanoes National Park is part of the Great Virunga Conservation Area renowned for hosting the endangered mountain gorillas, together with Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in Uganda. The park spanning 160 square kilometers is covered in rainforest and bamboo stretching along the slopes of five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo).
“In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat, are great, old volcanoes towering almost 15,000 feet and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest – The Virungas ” wrote the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey.
The park is a sanctuary for more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas, making it a perfect destination for gorilla safari.
Volcanoes National Park has a historic connection with gorilla conservation, it was the base for the ground-breaking work of the famous American primatologist – Dian Fossey who starts carrying out research on mountain gorillas in the late 1960s and is evocatively portrayed in the book and film Gorillas in the Mist.
Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is one of the greatest gorilla trekking destinations in the world, the park has 10 habituated gorilla families for gorilla tourism and others for research. Each of these gorilla families has a name given to it depending on different circumstances and is under the leadership of a silverback.
Habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park include
- Amahoro Gorilla Group
- Hirwa Gorilla Group
- Sabyinyo Gorilla Group
- Kwitinda Gorilla Group
- Group 13/Agashya Gorilla Group
- Umbano Gorilla Group
- Ugenda Gorilla Group
- Susa A Gorilla Group
- Karisimbi/Susa B Gorilla Group
- Titus Gorilla Group
- Bwenge Gorilla Group
Wildlife in Volcanoes National Park
Though mountain gorillas are the most famous wildlife in Volcanoes National Park, the park is also home to the rare and endangered golden monkeys only found in the Virunga Region. Other animals found in the forest include forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, duikers, dpotted hyenas, bush-bucks and several primates.
Birdlife in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is an Important Birding Area (IBA) hosting over 200 bird species including Albertine rift endemics. These birds 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.
What to do in volcanoes national park
Gorilla trekking
Golden monkey trekking
Birding
Volcano Hiking
Musanze hike
Dian fossey Hike
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is the highlight activity in Volcanoes National Park and Rwanda is regarded as the best place in Africa to see these gentle giants. Mountain gorillas are fascinating and endangered primates only found in three countries, Rwanda, Uganda and the DRCongo.
This thrilling primate experience offers visitors a chance of seeing mountain gorillas, the treks happen once daily with 8 individuals visiting a gorilla group per day. On the day of the gorilla trek, visitors are expected to arrive at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) offices at 7 am where they are briefed about expectations and later distributed among the different habituated gorilla groups.
Once you have allocated a gorilla group, you will head to the starting point and enter into the misty forest in search for these gentle giants. The trek can take about 30 minutes to 6 hours or more depending on the location of the group that you are tracking. Once in sight of the gorilla troop, you will be able to stay in their presence for only one hour, watching them go on with daily life.
Remember to follow all the rules and regulation shared to you during the briefing.
Golden monkey trekking
Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden monkey trekking is another thrilling primate activity in Volcanoes National Park offered once a day in the early morning, much like gorilla trekking. All visitors are expected to arrive at the park’s headquarters in Kinigi for briefing as early as 7 am, the briefing takes you through rules and regulations to follow, then you are divided into groups and start your trek led by experienced ranger guide.
Currently Volcanoes National Park has two habituated troops that are open for visiting. 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 treeking very engaging and interesting. You will be following after them as they hope from one to another looking for food.
Birding
Birding
Volcanoes National Park’s extensive afro-alpine forest, bamboo stands and moorland are habitat to 17 of the 27 Albertine Rift Endangered species as well as 53 of the 74 Afrotropical Highlands biome species. The park is also one of the 3 Important Birding Areas (IBA) in Rwanda with the rare Albertine Rift Endemics.
On a birding safari in Volcanoes National Park you will enjoy incredible sighting of several bird species including Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Stripe-breasted Tit, Grauer’s Broadbill, Red-throated Alethe, Dwarf Honeyguide, Black-faced Apalis, Rwenzori Apalis, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Grauer’s Warbler, Neumann’s Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Rwenzori Batis, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Stuhlmann’s Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimson-wing, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Blue-headed Sunbird and Yellow-crested Helmet Shrike among others.
Volcano Hiking
Hiking Mt. Bisoke
Mount Bisoke has a beautiful crater lake at the top which makes hiking this volcano a rewarding adventure, the hike takes about 6 hours which include the 2 hours spent descending back down. However, some of the experienced hikers take as few as 3 or less and an hour descending.
The hike starts at 7 am with briefing at the park headquarters/starting point from a knowledgeable ranger guide and ready to share the mountain adventures with you. Visitors are encouraged to hire porters who will help with your luggage at a minimal fee.
Hiking Mt. Karisimbi
Mt. Karisimbi is the highest of the Virunga Volcanoes at 4507, above sea level and fifth highest in Africa. The volcano is situated along the Rwanda and DRCongo 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 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.
Musanze hike
Visit Musanze Caves
The Musanze Caves in Volcanoes National Park were formed as a result of volcanic eruption forming an underground space large enough for humans to enter. They are two kilometers long with walkways and stairs that take you to the dark interior of the caves.
Exploring the Musanze Caves can be done after your morning gorilla tracking.
Dian fossey Hike
Dian Fossey Tomb Hike
Trek through the forests of Volcanoes National Park to the Dian Fossey Tomb giving you an insight in the life of Dian Fossey and gorilla conservation in the Virunga Region. On this hike, you will learn more about her interest in the gorillas and how over the year gorilla conservation peaked later leading to gorilla tourism.
Dian Fossey Tomb Hike takes about 1-2 hours with chances of sighting some forest animals like the elephants, buffaloes, forest hogs and several bird species. You will visit 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 either by poachers or by natural causes.
Getting There
From Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. It is a drive of approximately 2-3 hours to Volcanoes National Park.
There are also charter flights by Helicopter from Kigali offered by Akagera Aviation.
Best Time to Visit Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park can be visited all year round, however the best time to visit for gorilla trekking and other safari activities is during the dry season, from June to August and December to February, when the trails are less muddy and hiking is easier.
Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park has some of the best accommodation facilities in the whole of Rwanda as well as East Africa, these accommodations are ranked as budget, midrange and luxury and they include
- Bisate Lodge
- Singita Kwitonda Lodge
- Virunga lodge
- Sabyinyo silverback lodge
- One & Only Gorilla Nest
- Ingagi Park View Lodge
- Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
- Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco Lodge
- Le bambou gorilla lodge
- Garden place hotel
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