Volcanoes National Park Rwanda Altitude

Volcanoes National Park altitude: Located in Northwestern Rwanda is a splendid Volcanoes National Park, Africa’s bamboo forest dominated park and home to 30% of the remaining 1063 mountain gorillas. Volcanoes National Park is a compact National Park with its borders stretching up to 160sq.km, sitting at an altitudinal range of 2400 to 4507 meters.

The lowest altitude of Volcanoes National Park is 2400 meters and the highest is 4507 meters (this is the Karisimbi Volcano). Virunga Region’s highest point –Mount Karisimbi lies within Volcanoes National Park Rwanda. This rises at an altitude of 4507 meters and besides Karisimbi Volcano; there are 4 additional volcanoes –Muhabura, Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Bisoke.

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda forms part of the trans-frontier conservation unit which stretches 433sq.km. This conservation area encompasses the Virunga National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Bordering Volcanoes National Park is Buhanga Eco-Park, Rwanda’s ancient forest featuring the country’s most intriguing folklore, and Musanze caves which date back to 62 million years back.

Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP is a bucket-list destination for most enthusiastic primate travelers. The park is most popular for its memorable gorilla trekking experiences and tourists visiting for gorilla safaris can track one of the 12 habituated gorilla families including Ugenda, Bwenge, Hirwa, Susa A, Sabyinyo, Umubano, Agashya, Susa B (Karisimbi), Pablo, and Titus.

What is unique about Volcanoes National Park Rwanda?

Volcanoes National Park shelters distinct mammal species including the rare mountain gorillas, spotted hyenas, buffaloes, forest elephants, giant hogs, golden monkeys, vervet monkeys, bushbucks, black and white colobus monkeys, etc.

Being a primate destination, the park attracts most visitors who come to enjoy up close and personal with the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys while in their natural habitat.

How many gorillas are in Volcanoes National Park?

Volcanoes National Park protects mainly mountain gorillas, a sub-species of Eastern gorillas and about 30% of these large apes survive in this park. The park holds up to 12 habituated families of mountain gorillas and they are all open for trekking.

Are there Volcanoes National Park?

Five of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes exist within Volcanoes NP, Rwanda and include Karisimbi the tallest of all the chain Virunga Volcanoes. This is also ranked as Africa’s 11^th highest mountain and other volcanoes include Bisoke/Visoke, Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga.

What is the weather in Volcanoes National Park like?

Volcanoes NP is open for safaris all year-round, but the driest months are the most preferred by holidaymakers. The dry months occur twice a year, from June, July, to August, and from December, January to February.

During the dry months, daytime temperature rise usually falls at 16 degrees and at night it can drop to about 6 degrees celsius. The rainy months –March, April, and May; October to November are characterized by heavy rains and hiking through the park is challenging due to heavy rains that make the ground muddy and steep slopes slippery.

What are the main activities to do in Volcanoes National Park?

The main safari activities to enjoy on a tour in Volcanoes National Park include;

• Gorilla trekking with the target to explore the 12 habituated gorilla groups starting at Kinigi offices.
• Golden monkey tracking –a lifetime opportunity to interact with golden monkeys and observe their daily behaviors.
• Birding –there are 200 species of birds to be spotted on a birding trip. These comprise largely of Albertine rift endemic species of birds including Kivu ground thrush, red-faced woodland warblers, Rwenzori double collared sunbird, Rwenzori batis, grey throated tit, common moorhen, paradise flycatchers and more.

Where can I stay on a tour in Volcanoes National Park?

The popular lodges to be considered for a night stay include Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, One and Only Gorilla’s Nest, Five Volcanoes Lodge, Muhabura Hotel, Virunga Hotel, and Kinigi Guesthouse.