Top 10 Best Things to Do in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
Get to know the amazing Things to Do in Volcanoes National Park as you plan your Rwanda Safari. These unique activities are what makes Volcanoes a must-visit destination for every adventure enthusiast.
Volcanoes National Park continues to be among the best places you can visit while on your Rwanda safaris trip. This park is situated in the north western part of the country is popularly known to be among the few places in the world where you will be able to get an up close experience with the remaining mountain gorillas.
Apart from mountain gorillas, there a variety of other activities you can do while within the boundaries of Volcanoes National Park that make it the best place you can explore on your Rwanda safari trip.
This guide highlights the unique things to do in Volcanoes national park from the awe-inspiring gorilla trekking to cultural encounters, see the full list;
Top 10 Things to Do in Volcanoes National Park:
Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience;
There’s nothing as rewarding as getting an up close experience with man’s closest relative – mountain gorillas right in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking involves hiking through the dense rainforest to search for the location of mountain gorillas.
To go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, you will need to have obtained a gorilla trekking permit from the Rwanda Development Board which costs only $1,500 per person. With the permit, you will get up to 1 hour observing, studying the behavior of mountain gorillas as they play and feed in the dense rainforest.
Volcanoes National Park has 10 habituated gorilla families and before you go on a trek to search for the gorillas, you will be assigned a gorilla family according to your level of fitness. Gorilla trekking without doubt tops the list of Things to Do in Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda.
Golden Monkey Trekking;
Another exciting activity and top of Things to Do in Volcanoes National Park is golden monkey trekking that gives you the opportunity to see these unique species of monkeys right in their natural habitat.
Golden monkeys can only be seen in Volcanoes and Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park. These derive its name from the bright coloured fur with long golden hair mixed with orange on their body.
Unlike gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking is less tenous since golden monkeys tend to settle on the slopes and valleys on the Volcanoes. A permit to see these monkeys costs only $100 per person.
Bird Watching;
Looking for the best birding destinations in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is among the popular and best places for bird watching in Rwanda. The park is home to over 200 bird species and of which 17 of these are Albertine rift endemics.
Some of the birds you will need to look forward to spotting include the Rwenzori turaco, grey chested kakamega, Kivu ground thrush, African green broadbill, lagden’s bush shrike, yellow billed duck, handsome spurfowl, and so much more.
Volcanoes is a true bird’s paradise that you need to add on your list of Things to Do in Volcanoes National Park.
Visit Dian Fossey’s Tomb;
Within Volcanoes National Park is the grave of Dian Fossey – who dedicated so much of her life researching and protecting mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
Dian was an American primatologist who carried out extensive research about the gorillas and fought so hard to erase poaching which had led to a decline in the number of these massive creatures.
It is believed through her extensive research tactics where used to introduce gorilla tourism to allow humans have an up close experience with their relatives.
Unfortunately, Dian Fossey was murdered by unknown people but it’s because of her conservation efforts that led to an increase in the population of mountain gorillas. During the hike to her grave, you will be briefed about Karisoke Research Centre – that she established and also showed a grave where 20 gorillas were buried.
Cultural Experiences – Visit Iby’iwacu Cultural Village;
Your trip in Volcanoes National Park is incomplete if you don’t get the opportunity to visit the Iby’iwacu cultural village situated just close to the park.
While here, you will get the opportunity to learn so much about the Rwandan culture, see how they interact with each other, their everyday life, enjoy traditional dances and folk songs.
Hiking and Nature Walks;
Volcanoes has some of the best trails that will introduce to the hidden gems in the park. Whether you are just a beginner or a usual hiker, Volcanoes has various trails for anyone.
There 5 volcanoes within the park (Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhavura and Mount Sabyinyo) and a hike to the summit of any of these apart from Sabyinyo will reward you with the best picturesque views that include the crater lakes and other parts of the Virunga area.
For seasoned hikers, hiking to the summit of Mount Karisimbi which is also the highest mountain in Rwanda will give you beautiful scenic views of the snowy top which is attributed to the fact that the mountain is situated close to the equator.
For beginners, Mount Gahinga is the favorite as it is less tenous but you will need to prepare before you go for a hike here. It’s during your guided nature walk and hiking that you will come across the various wildlife species including mountain gorillas and other primates.
Visit Ellen DeGeneres Center;
This is the newly introduced activity or things to do in Volcanoes National Park and this was founded Ellen Lee DeGeneres and her partner Portia de Rossi, an American television host with the aim of supporting the conservation and protection of mountain gorillas within the park.
The Ellen Degeneres center was established in memory of Dian Fossey who dedicated much of her life and while here you will take through the research facilities, gallery and be briefed about the history of gorillas and how we are related to these gentle creatures.
Photography;
Volcanoes National Park has so much to offer and of course you will need to capture all these onto your phone or camera to keep the memories.
From mountain gorilla photography, golden monkeys, several bird species, to beautiful scenic views of the Volcanic mountains and more, capturing these will keep the memories with you forever.
And if you are a wildlife photographer, Volcanoes National Park has a lot that you will capture right onto your lenses.
Volcano Climbing;
For the best and memorable hiking experience, Volcanoes National Park is the best place to visit. You will enjoying hiking Mount Bisoke which has a beautiful crater lake on its summit and also reward you with beautiful views of the Virungas.
Other volcanoes you can hike within the park are Muhavura, Gahinga and Karisimbi with each offering a unique experience.
Volcanic hiking will reward you with the hidden gems including the rare wildlife species like the golden monkeys, birds, picturesque views and so much more. To go volcanic hiking in Volcanoes National Park, you will need to be physically fit and will be assigned a volcano to hike according to your level of fitness.
Conservation Education;
There are several conservation education programs in Volcanoes National Park with the main aim of raising the awareness about the park’s biodiversity including protecting the lives of the remaining species of mountain gorillas.
You will learn about the various conservation efforts that have been introduced to continue protecting the lives of the wildlife species that live within the park and how they are able to address the challenges.