Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is one of the only three national parks that lie in the Virunga Mountains that spread over Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

With many of the thick-forested bamboo sticks, the volcano is a perfect home to the mountain gorillas of Rwanda.

The mountain gorillas are the prime attraction in Volcanoes National Park with gorilla trekking happening all year round. Because of the high altitude, it is generally cold, especially early morning and the evenings. You are advised to carry a light sweater for these times.

The Volcanoes National Park is apparently one of the oldest national parks in Africa.

It was part of the larger Virunga National Park created by the Belgians to protect the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic f Congo. It is not so big but enough to harbor a reasonable number of mountain gorillas at a go.

This forest is very dense and has got rains that will come very often.

This place is famous for tracking the endangered mountain gorillas through the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest. Though the park is mainly known for the gorillas, it is home to about 200 species of birds and chattering of the rare golden monkeys.

Unlike its counterparts such as Virunga national park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Mgahinga gorilla national park; Volcanoes national park is located within a distance of only 2 hour drive from Rwanda’s capital Kigali.

Gorilla Trekking In Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla tracking happens once daily with 8 individuals visiting a gorilla family per day.

The visitors are expected to arrive at the Rwanda development board (RDB) offices at 7 am where they are briefed about expectations, and gorilla trekking guidelines, and later distributed among the different gorilla families.

Gorilla tracking takes from 30 minutes to four hours though you can spend only one hour with the mountain gorillas after finding them. A gorilla permit costs $1500 per person.

It is important to book your gorilla safari well in advance in order to track the mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park. Despite the high price, gorilla permits sell out fast, most especially for travels during the peak months of June to October and December to March.

What Wildlife is in Volcanoes national park?

The most famous inhabitants of the Volcanoes National Park are the mountain gorillas. They have successfully placed volcanoes and national parks on the world map courtesy of the work of Dian Fossey.

She was a great primatologist who dedicated all her work to habituating and learning gorilla behaviors and how well we can preserve and conserve them together with nature. The park is mainly known for the mountain gorillas.

It is also a home to endangered golden monkeys only found in the Virunga region. Other animals found in the forest include Forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, duikers, spotted hyenas, bush bucks, and several other primates.

Birds of Volcanoes National Park

The Volcanoes national park is home to over 200 bird species.

A number of Albertine rift endemics are found in the park including, Grauer’s rush warbler, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori double–collared Sunbird, handsome francolin, strange weaver, dusky crimson-wing, collared Apalis, red-faced woodland warbler and Archer’s round-robin.

Despite the fact that birding safaris are not a very popular adventure, the park is strategically located for some of the best birding experiences in East Africa.

Mountain hiking in Volcanoes National Park

The Volcanoes National Park is one of Rwanda’s most recommended hiking destinations. Its iconic Mount Bisoke hosts a remarkable crater lake at the top, which makes hiking this volcano a rewarding adventure for your 6 hours.

Mount Karisimbi is the highest of the Virunga volcanoes at 4507m above sea level and the fifth-highest in Africa. It is along with the Rwanda and DR Congo border on the western rift valley, fully snow caped, and will take you about 2 days hiking it.

Musanze Caves

Musanze caves are due to volcanic eruptions which formed an underground space large enough for humans to enter. They are two Kilometers long with walkways and stairs that take you to the dark interior of the caves.

This activity can be done after your morning gorilla tracking.

Cultural Tours near Volcanoes national park

Cultural tours are some of the main ways that communities that used to survive through poaching earn a living presently.

Local sensitization of the community who were involved in poachers is one of the ways the government of Rwanda is ensuring mountain gorilla conservation.

During the community tour, you will be introduced to the Iby’Iwacu (Gorilla Guardians Village).

Your visit to this village will continue to expound on conservation efforts and provide a livelihood for many of the community members, so they will stop going into the forest for poaching and killing animals most especially the mountain gorillas.

How to Access Volcanoes National Park?

The Volcanoes National Park is located two hours drive from Kigali. It also lies just within a 30 minutes drive from the Uganda-Rwanda Cyanika border post in Kisoro. There is also an option of flying to Volcanoes National Park with the help of Akagera Aviation.