Volcanoes National park is situated in north western Rwanda in Musanze district formerly called Ruhengeri. The park covers an area of 160 square kilometers, bordering Virunga National park of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mgahinga National park in south western Uganda.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Volcanoes National park was gazette in 1925 as a small area around the mountains: karisimbi, Bisoke and Mikeno and later in 1929 the park was extended further to Rwanda and Belgian Congo.
Volcanoes National park is home to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and many birds among others. Volcanoes National park acted as base for the American conservationist Dian Fossey. Dian Fossey carried out her research on mountain gorillas when she arrived in 1967 and set up a research Centre known as karisoke between mountain karisimbi and mount Bisoke. Dian Fossey spent most of her time in the park fighting against poachers to protect mountain gorillas; she was later killed in 1985 by the poachers and buried in a grave near karisoke research Centre. Dian Fossey’s life was reflected in a film called “Gorillas in the mist” because of the great work she did for Rwanda in the protection and conservation of the mountain gorillas.
Volcanoes National park became a battle field for the Rwandan civil war where the park headquarters were attacked, the research Centre stopped and all tourist activities put to a standstill in 1992. The park’s work was resumed in 1999 and the park recovered its record of the most organized and best gorilla tourist destination in the world!
Volcanoes National park is made up of the diverse kind of vegetation including rain forest, bamboo, montane, swamps, grasslands which favors the habitation and feeding of the endangered mountain gorillas the major focus for tourists in Rwanda, golden monkeys, over 180 bird species and other wild animals including buffaloes, hyenas, bush bucks, duiker and so on.
Tourist activities in Volcanoes National park
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is one of the major activities done in Volcanoes National park attracting the highest number of travelers every day. Volcanoes National park has 10 gorilla families of habituated mountain gorillas that are available for trekking every day including;
Susa Gorilla family in Volcanoes National park
Susa family is the biggest mountain gorilla family in Volcanoes National park with 29 members and 2 silver backs. Susa family was the first gorilla family that Dian Fossey studied during her years in Rwanda. The group inhabits in the slopes of mountain karisimbi and always had to trek.
Sabinyo Gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park
Sabinyo family consists of 13 members and 2 silver backs and stays in the slopes of mount sabinyo making it easy to track.
Amahoro Gorilla group in Volcanoes National Park
Amahoro is a Kinyarwanda word meaning peace. The group is characterized by its peaceful characters and normally losses its members to other groups. Amahoro gorilla group has 18 members and 2 silver backs inhabiting in the slopes of Bisoke volcano.
Agashya Gorilla group in Volcanoes National Park
Agashya initially means news in English also formerly known as group thirteen, Agashya family was well known for its thirteen members where it deprived its name. It was led by the silver back called Nyakarima which was over thrown by Agashya silver back, the family has 29 members and 1 silver back that resides in the slopes of sabinyo Volcano.
Umubano gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park
Umubano family was formed after the breakup of silver backs Charles and ubumwe then Charles formed his group and was named “umubano” meaning together. The family has 13 members and 2 silver backs residing in the slopes of mountain Bisoke with Amahoro family.
Kwitonda Gorilla group in Volcanoes National Park
Kwitonda family consists of 23 members and 4 silver backs, deprived its name from the late dominant silver back known as Kwitonda which was popularly known for its humble character. The group initially migrated from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and later settled in Volcanoes National park at the slopes of mountain Muhabura.
Ugenda Gorilla Family in Volcanoes National Park
Ugenda family consists of 11 members and 2 silver backs, the name Ugenda means mobile and the group is always on the move and doesn’t settle in one place. The group inhabits in the slopes of mount Muhabura which is not easy to trek due to the status of the terrain.
Karisimbi gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park
Karisimbi family is also referred to as susa B because it broke from the susa family which is also known as susa A. karisimbi family has 16 members and 2 silver backs which inhabit in the slopes of mount karisimbi at an elevation of 4507 meters above sea level. For travellers that want to test their fitness can visit the karisimbi family.
Bwenge gorilla group in Volcanoes National Park
Bwenge means wisdom, the group consists of 11 members and 1 silver back that inhabits in the slopes of mount Bisoke and the group is easy to trek.
Titus gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park
Titus family was named after the silver back Titus, a primate that was born during the time of Dian Fossey when she was still carrying out research from karisoke research Centre. All the members were killed and Titus survived which later formed his group inhabiting in the slopes of mountain karisimbi and mountain Bisoke.
Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey tracking is the second biggest activity carried out in Volcanoes National park. Volcanoes National park is one of the few places where golden monkeys are seen besides Mgahinga National park in south western Uganda. Volcanoes National park has about 2 habituated golden monkey troops that are available for visiting every day with about 80 members for both groups.
Golden monkey trekking is worth going for while in Volcanoes National park because you get to experience the golden monkeys running from tree to tree. Golden monkeys are always seen in the bamboo vegetation in Volcanoes National park and just like gorilla trekking they are always visited by a maximum number of 8 members for 1 hour.
Dian Fossey grave visit
Dian Fossey grave visit is one of the opportunities that you should not miss out when you can come to Volcanoes National park. Get to learn about Dian Fossey an American primatologist who fought so hard for the conservation and protection of mountain gorillas. She was later killed in 1985 and buried near her research centre called karisoke between mountain karisimbi and mountain Bisoke.
Mountain climbing
Volcanoes National park is found in the three great volcanic mountains including mount karisimbi, mount, mount Bisoke and mount sabinyo which also act as habits for mountain gorillas. Besides gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking, a hike to the summit of one of the volcanoes offers wonderful views of the whole National park, others volcanoes and tourist attractions in others neighboring countries.
Birding watching
Volcanoes National park is home to over 178 birds and usually seen during the forest walk. Travelers enjoy the breath taking adventure as they listen to sweet sounds of the birds as they sing in the forests. The birds usually found in Volcanoes National park include Rwenzori batis, strange weaver, red faced woodland warbler, Rwenzori turaco among others.
Nature walks
Taking guided nature walks is another way of enjoying the amazing attractions around volcanoes National park for example the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo and enjoy a few activities like canoeing.
Take a walk to the Bisoke Crater Lake and learn about the formation of crater lakes and the scenic views around.
Cultural walks
Volcanoes National park offers chances of cultural encounters for example to the ibyiwacu cultural village on the out skirts of Volcanoes National park in Musanze district. The ibyiwacu cultural village entertains visitors with traditional dances, farming methods, millet grinding, banana beer making among others.
Accommodations in Volcanoes National park
Hotel Muhabura
Hotel Muhabura is located in north of Kigali in Musanze district, it is the best budget accommodation facility close to Volcanoes National park home to endangered mountain gorillas.
Kinigi Guest house
Kinigi guest house is situated in Musanze at the bottom of Sabyinyo Mountain near the entrance of Volcanoes National park.
La-palme Hotel
La palme hotel is a midrange accommodation in Musanze with an exceptional unique experience while at there.
Le-Bambou gorilla lodge
Le Bambou gorilla lodge is a midrange accommodation in Musanze close to Volcanoes National park in the northern part of Rwanda few kilometers from kinigi headquarters. It is unique in a way that it is contructed in bamboo offering visitors with the best facility.
Gorilla volcanoes lodge
Gorilla Volcnoes lodge is located in musanze in the northern part of Rwanda with a unique character and amazing facilities.
Da vinci gorilla lodge
It is located in kinigi musanze and offers midrange accommodation to travelers in Volcanoes National park.
Mountain gorilla view lodge
It is one of the luxury lodges located in musanze district on the outskirts of Volcanoes National park near kinigi headquarters.
Bisate lodge
Bisate lodge is one of the most luxurious lodges in Volcanoes National park strategically located in the views of Mount Karisimbi and mount Bisoke.
Five volcanoes Boutique lodge, Virunga lodge, Mountain nest gorilla lodge among others
Tariffs for different tourist activities in Volcanoes National park
Gorilla trekking costs 1500 US dollars for all and permits are obtained from Rwanda Development Board offices in Kigali at least 3 months to the trekking time.
Golden monkey tracking cost 100 US dollars for foreign nonresidents, 65 US dollars for foreign residents, 4000 Rwf for citizens also obtained from Rwanda Development Board or from the park headquarters.
Hike to Dian Fossey tomb visit costs 75 US dollars for foreign nonresidents, 60 US dollars for foreign residents and 4000 Rwf for citizens.
Mount Bisoke and mount Gahing hike costs 75 US dollars for foreign nonresidents, 60 US dollars for foreign residents and 4000 Rwf for citizens.
Mount Muhabura hike costs 100 US dollars for foreign nonresidents, 75 US dollars for foreign residents and 5000 Rwf for citizens.
Ibyiwacu cultural visits cost 20 US dollars per person.
When to visit Volcanoes National park
Volcanoes National park can be visited in the months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December which are referred to as the pick season. There is always little or no rain fall in these months which makes gorilla trekking and other activities enjoyable.
How to get to Volcanoes National park
Volcanoes National park can be accessed from Kigali city through musanze and drive to kinigi headquarters 2 hours drive, approximately 110kms.
Volcanoes National park is the leading main destination in Rwanda safaris for gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking,volcano hike, bird watching as guided by the guides and game rangers for a life time experience.