Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern part of the country is a great destination to explore. This is among the best places to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. Volcanoes National Park has a size of approximately 160 km2 and was established in 1925. This was mostly to conserve the mountain gorillas surviving in the Virunga Conservation Area. Volcanoes National Park is situated in the western arm of the East African Rift Valley.
Attractions
Wildlife
Set within the biodiverse Albertine Rift, Volcanoes NP has plenty of strikingly rare fauna that attract visitors. Starting with mammals, Volcanoes National Park is naturally gifted with over 115 species of mammals. These of course feature the mountain gorillas that the destination is renowned for. Other mammals include bush elephants, bush buffaloes, black-fronted duikers, giant forest hogs, golden monkeys, mona monkeys and vervet monkeys etc.
With 187 species of birds, Volcanoes National Park is a serious birding destination that also has plenty of Albertine endemics. The most attractive birds include Rwenzori double collared sunbird, Ruwenzori batis, mountain masked apalis, Archer’s robin-chat and black crowned waxbill etc. With growing interest in seeing reptiles, amphibians and arthropods, Volcanoes offers 27 species of amphibians and reptiles and 33 arthropods species.
Scenery
Again, Volcanoes National Park being situated in the Albertine Rift region. This implies that it is endowed with amazing scenes including landscapes. Volcanoes National Park has 5 of the 8 volcanoes found in the Virunga area. These volcanoes are Sabyinyo, Bisoke, Karismbi, Muhabura and Gahinga. Some of these volcanoes contain calderas or crater lakes. Musanze caves are also an interesting geomorphological formation at Volcanoes National Park.
Besides the geomorphological formations there are forests, wetlands, streams, waterfalls, grasslands and woodlands in Volcanoes NP. These offer glimpses into the beauty of the lush Afromontane Forest ecosystem. Habitats that make the scenery look exotic include meadows, mixed bamboo forest, alpine and sub alpine vegetation and pure bamboo forest etc. Outside Volcanoes National Park, the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo are great attractions nearby.
Others
Plenty of attractions are still available in and around Volcanoes National Park. These include the Iby’iwachu Cultural Village, Dian Fossey Grave and Buhanga eco-park etc. They offer distinct experiences that make your tour at Volcanoes National Park even more interesting. Though not considered an attraction, the Batwa tribe offer unique cultural exchanges for visitors to Volcanoes National Park.
Activities to do in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trek
Every morning at around 8:00 a.m. Volcanoes National Park offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to track and observe mountain gorillas. This is a thrilling guided tour where you will find the habituated gorilla group and allowed 60 minutes to see how they behave in the wild. Other mammal species can be seen while on a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. these are L’hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, bush elephants and olive baboons etc.
Golden monkey trek
Volcanoes National Park offers an opportunity to track and observe some of the most unique monkey species in Africa. Golden monkeys are beautiful old-world monkeys that live in some bamboo forest parts of Volcanoes National Park. You will simply be given an opportunity to enter into the forest and guided to a habituated troop of golden monkeys. After finding them, 60 minutes is provided to observe them interacting in the forest.
Hiking
Volcanoes National Park offers hiking adventures to the summits of either Mount. Karisimbi or Mount Bisoke etc. These guided experiences are not only adventures for travelers to enhance their physical fitness but also for viewing breathtaking sights in Volcanoes National Park. Crater lakes, other volcanoes, plants, birds, primates and other animals are there to be sighted during the hike.
Visit Dian Fossey Grave
Hike to see and express your respect to one of the most iconic figures of Volcanoes National Park. After her gruesome murder, Dian Fossey, an American researcher and conservationist was buried there as per her prior wish. This is a guided tour where you will gain insight into her works on the mountain gorillas in the Virungas. You will also learn how great she contributed in her efforts to ensure that poaching of mountain gorillas is reduced.
Batwa tour
Move in the Volcanoes National Park adjacent communities where you will find the Batwa Pygmies. This is an indigenous tribe that used to thrive in the forest. Interacting with them is truly special as they offer plenty of exciting stories, entertainment and cultural practices. You can join them in music and dancing, preparing food and handicraft making etc. They will also demonstrate their hunting skills in the forest and the medicinal plants they used to heal the sick.
Other worthwhile and equally exciting activities that are must-dos when on a tour at Volcanoes National Park. These include exploring the Iby’iwachu Cultural Village, attending the Kwita Izina ceremony, Musanze cave exploration, birdwatching and nature walk etc.
Best time to visit?
While Volcanoes National Park is open for exploration year around, it is best you go there during the dry season. Annually, this is expected during June to August and January and February. This is such an amazing season to enjoy the available outdoor activities without worrying about heavy rains. The forest trails are drier due to reduced rainfall patterns. This makes walking in the forest less challenging because the ground is not slippery or muddy.
Viewing wildlife including the gorillas is done much better during the dry season. The undergrowth or foliage is pretty much reduced during the dry season. Also, dry seasons are not as humid as the wet season, therefore your experience is much more comfortable. If rainfall patterns are lower in the dry season, this makes any adventure in Volcanoes National Park continuous. You do not need to pause an activity to wait for it to stop raining.
How to access the park?
Accessing Volcanoes National Park is done using any of road or air transportation. If you are to use road transport, especially from Kigali city, expect to cover over 106 km. On this memorable scenic trip, 2 to 3 hours will fly by before you reach the park headquarters at Kinigi. We have our well-maintained 4X4 safari land cruisers and guide to drive you there. Alternatively, choose any of our drones, minibuses, sedans and any other car you prefer.
If you prefer a faster transfer option, take a flight from Kigali International Airport to Musanze Airport. In only half an hour, you will have reached at Musanze, to find our dedicated guide waiting to meet you. From here, you will be driven to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, a few minutes a way. With Akagera Aviation operating the helicopters you will enjoy the helicopter flight that also offers aerial views of Rwanda’s relief features.