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ToggleVolcanoes National Park Rwanda; Facts, Map, Top 7 Activities:
Discover the majestic beauty of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Learn fascinating facts about Volcanoes National Park, find your way with our detailed map, and explore its must-do activities.
Get up close with man’s closest relative – mountain gorillas on your Rwanda safari trip to Volcanoes National Park. This park is situated in the Northern part of the country and in the Virunga Conservation Area and borders Congo’s Virunga National Park and Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park.
Majority of the travellers visit Volcanoes National Park to see mountain gorillas as they play, feed in their natural habitat and other wildlife species like golden monkeys, several species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and so much more.
Besides wildlife species, you will get to enjoy the spectacular views of the 5 out of the 8 volcanoes that are found within the Virunga ranges and these include; Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi and Mount Muhabura, the lush green vegetation and the different tree species.
History of Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park which is the country’s most visited national park was first gazetted in 1925 with the major objective being to protect the endangered gorillas from poaching.
In 1929, its boundaries were later extended into Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo and named Albert National Park a big conservation area which spanned to over 8,000 square kilometers and was under the management Belgian colonial government.
However, after Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo gaining their independence during the 1960’s almost half of the park’s premises were occupied by humans reducing its original size by a half. Today, Volcanoes Natioanal Park sits on an area of 160 square kilometers.
Diane Fossey
Because of her passion to protect mountain gorillas from the hands of poachers, Dian Fossey – an American primatologist fled D.R. Congo and established her research base between Visoke and Karisimbi which was then named Karisoke Research Centre.
Fossey dedicated much of her time in conservation efforts and also mobilized resources to cub the rampant poaching which was putting the lives of mountain gorillas at risk.
Her life was cut short when she was murdered by unknown people in 1985 and she was buried at Karisoke Research Centre close to her favorite silverback digit who had passed away before her.
On your visit to Volcanoes National Park, you will have an opportunity to visit her grave and get to see the remarkable work she was doing.
Tourist Attractions in Volcanoes National Park:
What is the tourist attraction found in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda?
One of the main reason as to why you need to visit Volcanoes National Park is to do gorilla trekking – an activity that allows you to get close and watch these massive creatures.
Besides these, you will see other wildlife species like the forest elephants, buffaloes, duikers, hyenas, bushbucks and golden monkeys
Parc National des Volcans or Volcanoes National Park is also home to over 200 species of birds and the musanze caves that were formed many decades ago after a volcanic eruption.
Top Activities in Volcanoes National Park – What to Do?
There various activities you can do while within Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and each is unique in its own way to give you a memorable experience throughout your trip. These include;
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes.
Your major highlight of visiting Volcanoes National Park should be doing mountain gorilla trekking – which involves heading into the dense rainforest to search for these massive creatures with the help of a guide and a ranger.
There several gorilla families found within the park with some habituated for gorilla tourism and while others for research purposes. And to get an up close experience with these species, you will need to have purchased a gorilla permit through a reputable tour company with the right dates you would like to track the gorillas.
Unlike Uganda and Congo, a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs much more and that’s $1,500 per person. With this permit, you will be allowed to go see gorillas as they roam in the park freely.
Each gorilla group is visited by 8 travelers per day and due to high demand, we recommend booking your gorilla trekking permit months prior to your trip so that you get your exact date reserved and you can book your permit through a tour company that will reserve your permit on your behalf.
Before you go for gorilla trekking experience, you will be briefed on the guidelines to follow while close and in the forest during the search of these endangered creatures.
Golden Monkey Tracking.
Another exciting activity that you can choose to do while in Volcanoes National Park is golden monkey tracking. This is cheaper compared to gorilla trekking and you will only pay $100 per person to see these endangered species as they feed on bamboo shoots.
Golden monkey tracking offers a less strenuous experience compared to gorilla trekking, as these monkeys typically do not venture uphill in search of food. This activity can conveniently be scheduled either before or after gorilla trekking, allowing for a more flexible itinerary.
There two habituated golden monkey groups in Volcanoes National Park and the largest group that comprises of 80-100 members is found in mount Sabinyo and happens to be the most visited.
Bird Watching – Birding in Volcanoes.
While in Volcanoes National Park, you can as well embark on a birding experience which introduces you to over 200 species of birds that reside in the park and 17 of these are albertine rift endemics.
Some of the bird species you need to look forward to seeing include the handsome francolin, Ruwenzori batis, Kivu ground thrush, blue-headed sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, bee-eaters, regal sunbird, dusky crimson wing, baglafetch weaver, black-crowned wax bill among others.
To be able to spot the different species of birds as they hang on tree branches, in the sky and more, you need to carry a pair of binoculars with you for the best experience.
Visiting Dian Fossey’s Grave.
Dian Fossey’s efforts in gorilla conservation continue to be honoured to this day. She was a pioneering force against poaching and significantly contributed to the protection of gorillas. After her tragic death in 1985 at the hands of unidentified assailants, Dian was laid to rest at the Karisoke Research Centre.
During a visit here, you’ll learn extensively about her conservation work and have the opportunity to visit her grave to pay respects.
Dian Fossey was buried close to her gorilla friend digit and you will get to see the tombs of other gorillas that were buried after being killed by poachers or natural disasters.
Cultural Tours.
You want to learn so much about Rwanda’s culture and how former poachers are catching up with their lives, a visit to Iby’iwacu Cultural Village or gorilla gardens village will reward you with so much about the country’s rich culture.
While here, you will get an opportunity to see the locals perform the local dance, sing to folk songs and so much more.
You can add this activity on your itinerary and do it after your gorilla trekking experience.
Volcano Hiking in Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National Park has three summits and these do include Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura and Mount Karisimbi. Hiking to the summit of Mount Bisoke will give you the opportunity to have a look at the Crater Lake that’s found here.
Mount Karisimbi is the highest Volcano in the park and the fifth highest mountain in Africa. Hiking to the summit of this mountain will reward you with magnificent views of the snow caped summit and the surrounding beautiful scenes. The experience might be tenuous but it is rewarding once you get to
Before you embark on a hiking experience to the summit of the volcanoes, you will be given a ranger who will take you through briefing and everything you need to know before you proceed on this adventurous trip.
Musanze Caves.
Also situated within Volcanoes National Park are the Musanze caves which were formed after volcanic eruption. These are two kilometers long and you can visit them right after your gorilla trekking activity.
Best Time to Visit Volcanoes National Park Rwanda:
You can visit Volcanoes National Park anytime of the year but for the best, memorable and rewarding experience, you will need to visit the park during the dry season of the year.
During the dry season, the park receives less or no rainfall which makes the tracks within the park less slippery and easily accessible. This season takes place during the months of June to September and Mid December to February.
Since this is a tropical rainforest, we recommend that you do carry a rain jacket with you as you go for gorilla trekking because you never know it may rain.
During the wet season of the year, the park receives a lot of rainfall which may hinder with your movement. However, this doesn’t mean that you will not be able to see gorillas. You will do gorilla trekking and get the same exact rewarding experience. This season takes place during the months of March to May and October to early December.
The beauty about booking your trip during this time is because many lodges within the park usually offer huge discounts since this is always the low season of the year.
How to Get to Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park can be easily accessed from Kigali. The park is situated just 2hrs away from the Kigali in Musanze district in the northern province of the country. This makes Volcanoes National Park the closest and most accessible gorilla national park in the world.
The best way you can travel to Volcanoes National Park is going through a tour operator who will arrange a car for you that will pick you from Kigali and take you directly to Kinigi where the park headquarters are.
If you leave Kigali early in the morning, you may have the opportunity to do gorilla trekking in only one day.
Where to Stay while in Volcanoes National Park?
There a number of Lodges in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda that you can choose to stay in while on your safari and these range from budget, midrange and then luxury.
Some of the lodges found in and around the park include; Sabyinyo Safari Lodge, the Virunga hotel, La Palm Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Hotel, Bisate lodge, One and Only Gorilla Nest and so much.
You will need to select a lodge that does match your budget.
Your visit to Volcanoes National Park will reward you with so much memories that you will live to tell. Other places you can incorporate your Rwanda safari tour to Volcanoes National Park with include Akagera National Park, Nyungwe national park, Kigali city tour among others.
Best Rwanda Safaris to Volcanoes:

This 2 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda safari takes you to the country’s leading destination – Volcanoes National Park to get an up close experience with mountain gorillas

Join us on at rip to See Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes, enjoy cultural performances in the Iby’iwacu village and also visit the Diane Fossey tombs.

This ultimate Rwanda safari itinerary in Rwanda is a primates lovers’ dream safaris as it takes to Volcanoes National Park to see

Explore Rwanda with our 5-day package: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes Park, wildlife safaris and boat cruise in Akagera National Park

Visit the 3 most popular national parks in Rwanda for activities like chimp and gorilla trekking, bird watching & game drives, etc.

The 10 day Rwanda Safari covers all the tourism aspects of Rwanda from primates (mountain gorillas) to culture to big five game.