Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is the home for Mountain Gorillas and all gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda lead you to Volcanoes. We do customize Unique Gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda and Rwenzori trekking on Multi country adventure with Primate Safari Experiences.
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda- Gorilla Trekking : Rwenzori Expeditions
Planning to visit and explore the beauty of the primates in Rwanda after rwenzori trekking in Uganda? Select to visit Volcanoes National Park Rwanda for the unique experience of gorilla trekking in the wilderness on Luxury Safari in Rwanda.
Volcanoes national park is among the best places to encounter during your visit on the black land. The park covers an area of approximately 160 square kilometers of rain forest and encompasses covers five of the eight volcanoes in Virunga Mountains including Karisimbi, Bisoke , Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo. It borders several national parks in other countries including Virunga National park of Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla national park of Uganda.
With an area of approximately 160 square kilometers, Volcanoes national park boasts the lives of the different primates including the mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys.
Park Location:
Established in 1925, the park was mainly gazetted to protect the mountain gorillas from the poachers and it stands as the first national park to be created on the African continent. The vegetation of the park consists of the thickets, marshes, swamps, meadows and small lakes. Aside primate species, volcanoes national park is a home to other mammal species including the black fronted duiker, buffalo, spotted hyena, bush buck and others. It is also a home to about 178 species of birds with 13 species and 16 subspecies which are endemic to Virunga and Rwenzori mountains.
What to do while in the park
Volcanoes national park has got a number of activities to offer to the travellers that creates a splendid and memorable experience for a lifetime. Among these activities include;
Gorilla trekking
Volcanoes national park is among the only four national parks in Africa where gorilla trekking can be done. The park has 12 habituated gorilla families that are open for tourism purposes. The experience involves hiking through the thick rain forests of the park by the guidance of the park ranger so as to search for the endangered apes. Once allocated, you will have an up-close encounter with the endangered apes in the wild as you learn more about their lifestyles and taking pictures of them.
Golden monkey tracking
After the adventurous mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking is another way to move. The experience also involves hiking and walking through the rainforests of the park so as to search for the golden monkeys from their natural habitats. Spot these beautiful creatures while feeding and also swinging on the bamboo trees in the forests. Golden monkey tracking requires a permit which costs $100 per person.
Volcanoes Hiking Tours
Among the interesting Safari activities recommended in Volcanoes National park is the Rwanda hiking tours since the park is found in Virunga Mountains. another enticing and adventurous experience in volcanoes national park. The park was named after the five major volcanoes which are located in the area. These volcanoes are Bisoke, Karisimbi, Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo. Hiking to the top of these volcanoes is a life time story to tell and it provides a clear view of the park and its features like wildlife, plants, birds and others.
Visit the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera
Relax and free your minds from every problem by engaging in the luxurious activity of a boat cruise on the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera. While on the cruise, sight different creatures in the park like birds especially the water birds, animals, vegetation, waterfalls and others.
Bird watching
Volcanoes national park is a home to more than 178 species of birds with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies from Virunga and Rwenzori mountains national park. Among these birds in the park include Ruwenzori turaco, Ruwenzori double collared sunbird, lagden’s bush shrike, African green broadbill, red chested sunbird, bronzy sunbird, lesser honey, African goshawk, strange weaver, Ruwenzori batis and many others.
How to access the park
Located in the northwestern region of the country, Rwanda, volcanoes national park can be accessed from Kigali the capital city and it takes just two hour drive to Musanze district.
Best time to visit Volcanoes national park.
The national park can be visited anytime throughout the year but the best time is during the dry season which is between the months of June and September. In these months, you need to purchase your permit earlier since this season is always congested.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park
Are you an adventurous and a nature lover traveller but still wondering on where to go for a one on one experience during the exploration of the gentle mountain gorillas? Volcanoes national park in the northern region of Rwanda is here to take your worries away. Stretching over an area of approximately 160 square kilometers, the park is one of the four African destinations – Bwindi Impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park and Virunga national park that are open for a gorilla trekking experience in Africa. The park hosts 12 gorilla families in different sectors that are open for a gorilla trekking experience. Among these families include; Amahoro gorilla group, Hirwa gorilla group, Sabyinyo gorilla group, Kwitonda gorilla group, Agashya group, Umubano gorilla family, Ugenda gorilla group, Susa A group, Susa B group, Titus group and Bwenge gorilla group.
Besides the magnificent mountain gorillas, Volcanoes national park is a home to five of the eight in Virunga Mountains including Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. It is also a home to numerous bird species and other mammals like golden monkeys, black-fronted duiker, elephants, spotted hyenas, bushbuck and others.
Gorilla trekking experience
Gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes national park is one of the most popular tourism products in Rwanda. This adventurous activity starts with a pre-trek briefing at the park headquarters where you will be given the rules and regulations to follow during the experience. After, you will be led by the game ranger through the mountainous areas and forests of the park in search of the gentle primates. The gorilla families are allocated depending on one’s overall fitness. During the appointment, only 8 people are allowed to trek a gorilla family/ group in a day. In case of any heavy luggage, you can hire a porter to help out at a fee of between 10 to 15 US Dollars.
During the trekking experience, you are advised not to touch a mountain gorilla and to always keep a distance of at least 7 meters from them. After the allocation, you are allowed to spend only one hour with them as you take pictures, enjoying their lifestyles and others.
Cost of gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes national park
Before going for a gorilla trekking activity in Volcanoes national park, one must to acquire a gorilla permit at US $1500 per person. This gorilla permit can be got from Rwanda Development Board or through any licensed local tour operator. This cost includes a gorilla trekking experience, a game ranger, and park entrance fees
Note: Gorilla trekking experience starts at a maximum age of 15years and above.
Visa requirements | Granted on Arrival |
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Languages spoken | French, English |
Currency used | Rwandan Francs |
Country name | Rwanda |