Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

“Parc National Des Volcans”

Volcanoes national park is the most famous national park in Rwanda famed for hosting the endangered mountain gorillas, the park is one of the 4 mountain gorilla destinations in the world and among the 3 found in Virunga Conservation Area.

Volcanoes national park is located in the Northwestern Rwanda in Ruhengeri District with Musanze town as the nearest town, the park stretches over the steep slopes of the spectacular volcanic mountain range in the volcano center of the Virungas which is a habitat to the endangered Mountain Gorillas.

The park inhabits an abundant variety of Afro- Montane ecosystem found in the Albertine Rift with a blend of neoboutonia forests and bamboo forest separated by Hagenia woodland. On the higher altitude there is the hypericum zone, the senecio – lobelias zone and the alpine prairie which is a great cover of grass sedges to the mountains of Muhabura (at 4,127 meters). Gahinga (at 3,474 meters), Sabyibyo (at 3,634 meters), Bisoke (at 3,711 meters),   Karisimbi (at 4.507 meters) – the highest volcano. In the Virunga volcano chain.

Volcanoes national park stretches of an expanse of 16,000 hectares, hosting a variety of flora and fauna including a huge population of the critically endangered mountain gorillas, the park hosts 11 groups of habituated mountain gorillas and these are

• Sabyinyo group with 8 individuals
• Group 13/ Agashya with 20 individuals
• Amahoro group with 15 individuals
• Umubano group with 8 individuals
• Hirwa group with 9 individuals
• Kwitonda with 17 individuals
• Ugenda Ground
• Susa Awith 41 gorillas
• Karisimbi Group (Susa B)
• Bwenge
• Titus Group

Volcanoes national park is also a habitat to other animals such as elephants, bushbucks, buffaloes, spotted hyenas and black – fronted duikers.

Birds in Volcanoes national Park

Volcanoes national park is a home to a huge population of birds recorded to be over 200 bird species including a number of Albertine rift endemics.  These birds include francolin, Rwenzori turaco and Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, strange weaver and Archer’s robin-chat, White-collared Oliveback, African Swamphen, Grey-headed Bushshrike, Bat Hawk, Narina Trogon, Lesser Honeyguide, Brown-backed Honeybird, Black Cuckoo-Shrike, Olive-bellied, Red-chested Sunbird and Bronzy Sunbirds, African Goshawk, Palm Nut Vulture, Crested Barbet, Grey-backed Fiscal, African Green Broadbill, Lagden’s Bush-shrike, and Kivu Ground Thrush among others.

Safari activities to do in Volcanoes national park

 Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Mountain Gorilla Trekking is the main activity to do in Volcanoes national park, this exciting and unforgettable wildlife experience is very rewarding as it offers trekkers a grand opportunity of coming face to face with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Mountain gorilla trekking involves climbing into the verdant jungle comprising of bamboo and other types of vegetation, during the trek you will enjoy the beautiful scenery, echoes of birds and small primates including the golden monkeys.

This activity is done in groups of 8 people and starts as early as 07:00 am at the Rwanda Development Board with briefing, once you locate the gorillas you are to spend only 1 hour in their presence. The overall time taken on this experience is 2-6 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas and location of the gorilla family you are trekking.

Golden Monkey tracking

 Volcanoes national park is the only home to the uncommon Golden monkeys, these monkeys are listed as species in danger of extinction ON THE IUCN list.

The Golden monkeys are beautiful monkeys with orange bodies and sleet back heads and legs, these monkeys spend most of their time within the bamboo zone feeding on bamboo shoots and stay in groups of 40 individuals feeding on the vegetation of the park.

Golden monkey tracking starts as early as 07:00 am with briefing at the park’s headquarters, when you locate them you enjoy watching them play on bamboo branches and feeding on bamboo shoots and take beautiful pictures.

Birding

 Volcanoes national park is a home to over 200 bird species with 13 species which are endemic to the Virungas and the Rwenzori Mountains including the Rwenzori Turaco which is the most beautiful birds within the montane forests.

Volcanoes national park is a fine birding destination, during this activity lookout for birds such as Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, strange weaver and Archer’s robin-chat, White-collared Oliveback, African Swamphen, Grey-headed Bushshrike, Bat Hawk, Narina Trogon, Lesser Honeyguide, Brown-backed Honeybird, Black Cuckoo-Shrike, Olive-bellied, Red-chested Sunbird and Bronzy Sunbirds, African Goshawk, Palm Nut Vulture, Crested Barbet, Grey-backed Fiscal, African Green Broadbill, Lagden’s Bush-shrike, and Kivu Ground Thrush among others.

Hiking to the Dian Fossey Tomb

Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who dedicated all her life to work concerning the survival of the Mountain gorillas, her work resulted into a movie titled “Gorillas in the Mist” which open eyes of the world to these gentle giant creatures and her hard work towards the protection of the gorillas which where the edge of being extinct and its habitats being destroyed.

Dian Fossey set up her research station between Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes and it got its name “Karisoke research center” from these volcanoes. She stayed within the jungle among the mountain gorillas until she was killed by unknown people, following the death of her dearly loved friend DIGIT, she requested to be buried right next to her friend which was well honored and her grave lies next to her friend.

A hike to the Dian Fossey Tomb and the research center gives you an insight the great kindness, compassion and outstanding dedication of Dian Fossey to the survival and well-being of mountain gorillas.

Mountain hiking and Nature walks

Volcanoes national park is best explored and experienced on mountain hiking or nature walks, these activity offers you a better glace of the Virunga volcanoes.

Visit to the local community

This activity takes tourists on a visit to the Ruhengeri market offering tourists a chance to see and interact with the local people and buy some of the Rwandese fabrics and marvel at how well the local markets are structured.

In the local community you will be entertained by local dances and drama, get a taste of some of the local food and locally brewed beer. Visit some of the local households and have hands on lifestyle experiences.

You can also visit the twin lakes of Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera for magnificent views of the Virunga Mountain chain and the Musanze Caves.

Where to stay in Volcanoes National park

• Mountain View Gorilla Lodge
• Bisate Lodge
• Kwitonda Lodge
• Garden Palace Hotel
• Gorillas Nest Lodge
• Virunga Lodge
• Le Palme Hotel Rwanda
• Kinigi Guest House
• Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge