Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park is located in the north-western province of Rwanda in Musanze town and is the oldest National Park in Africa which spanning a 160 sq km area in the northern part of Ruanda. Volcano National Park harbors the endangered Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda that are always available for travelers who would love to carry out gorilla tracking in Rwanda.
Volcanoes National Park borders other National Parks; Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo in West and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in North which is a mountainous region with altitudinal virgin rainforests full to the brim with vibrant and unique wildlife species and hosts five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains which are: Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo) covering over 160 km2 of rainforest and bamboo. Volcanoes National Park is among four National Parks in the world where mountain gorillas are tracked, and is the second National Park with the highest number of gorillas apart from Bwindi National Park in Uganda, besides its huge population of Mountain Gorillas; this park also harbors the endangered Golden Monkeys which are beautiful to see. Other primate mammals include Forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, spotted hyenas, bushbucks, duikers, vervet and colobus monkeys, and other primate species that reside in Volcanoes National Park. The birdlife in Volcanoes National Park is over 178 species, with about 12 of the main species and 15 of the subspecies being endemic to the Virunga conservation area and the great Ruwenzori Mountains, Volcanoes National Park is very popular as a Rwanda gorilla trek and Golden monkey tracking destination.
Gorilla trekking in Volcano National Park
Gorilla trekking is the best wilderness adventure activity in Volcano National Park which attracts the highest number of travelers from all parts of the world. Trekking gorillas in their natural habitat are a rewarding experience which offers you about one hour observing them at a close distance of about 5m. Volcanoes National Park harbors over 482 mountain gorillas according to the last census in last year, which have been habituated into 10 gorilla families available for trekking hence making it most exciting moment and thrilling experience while in Rwanda
Bird watching in Volcano National Park
Volcano National Park is an ideal and stunning landscape for bird enthusiasts and is a home of over 178 bird species such birds can be observed are the Red-Faced Barbet, Shoebill Stork, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Papyrus Gonolek and the Miombo Wren-Warblers which can appeal to every level visitor – from the absolute novice. Birding watching in Volcano National Park offers you 15 species endemic to these Virunga plus the Rwenzori mountains; like the Rwenzori turaco which is among the most beautiful birds within these montane forests, and the handsome francolin and there is more chance to view some of the 27 Albertine Rift endemics.
Golden monkey trekking
Golden monkey trekking is among the most thrilling and stunning activity in Volcano National Park. The golden monkeys are endangered species and are unique to the Virunga mountains range which covers the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Rwanda and Uganda are the only two countries where visitors have the opportunity of trekking to see them up close. This is incredibly entertaining as they amuse themselves swinging through the bamboo or racing after one other in circles around and above you. Blending in perfectly with the golden bamboo, they are very pretty; with shiny reddish-gold backs as it splashes the excitement with you.
Hiking Virunga volcano region
Hiking mountain Virunga volcano region is a breathtaking experience to encounter while on your visit to Rwanda. Hiking Mt Karisimbi which is located on an elevation of 4,507m is a dormant volcano along the borderline with DR Congo. It is the tallest of the Virunga volcanoes making it 11th highest ground on the Africa continent. Hiking to the white-capped summit of Mt Karisimbi is a 2-day exciting activity that involves encounters with beautiful land features, unique alpine, and forest bird species, primate species; some lucky hiking teams have met Mountain gorillas. The hiking gives travelers magnificent sceneries of landscapes below and beyond.
Mt Bisoke is on an altitude of 771m is an inactive volcano that takes a 1-day hiking expedition destination on tour into Rwanda. Mount Bisoke Mountain is covered in thick rainforests and is a habitat for unique wildlife species. The Karisoke Research Centre, where Mountain gorilla habituation started from is in Bisoke foothills and is the home range for Mountain gorilla families.
Nature Walks
Nature walks: feel the cool breezes and the exciting moment while on a nature walk. Volcano National Park has numerous walking trails, and one of the most thrilling activities which lead you to the Musanze market, where visitors can interact with the local people, other nature walks lead you to the beautiful Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. The Nyange Community walk is designed to show all aspects of village life in Rwanda, the trail continues to the homes of ironsmiths, mat weavers, local banana-beer brewers, and carpenters as a source of earning. These high mountains offer some of the finest views within Rwanda.
Visiting the Musanze Caves
Musanze Caves is a trail that leads into the rainforests and the underground caves formed in ancient history by volcanic eruptions. The size, beauty, and ambiance of 2-kilometer long Musanze caves mesmerize travelers on tour into Rwanda. A walk into Musanze caves that have stairs and walkways is an exciting way travelers on a tour of Rwanda maximize their adventure into the wilderness and appreciate the geographic forces of nature.
Trekking the Dian Fossey
Trekking the Dian Fossey trail is one of the most interesting activities after Gorilla trekking activity while visiting Volcanoes National Park for a gorilla trip. The trek involves a 30 minutes drive from the park headquarters to the trailhead to access the Karisoke research camp where visitors walk for 10 minutes to the Park boundary.
Visiting Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village takes you the indigenous local people has mobilized into a Mountain Gorilla Guardians’ formerly Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to highlight the benefits of wildlife conservation and gorilla protection. Travelers on tour into Rwanda visit the community to get into close touch with the indigenous community and share life experiences. The exciting tour engages the travelers into songs, dances, storytelling, art, cultural rituals and ceremonies, pastime games, homestead structures, and other mediums. The travelers learn a lot about the African culture and lifestyles you explore.
Best time to visit Volcano National Park
Volcano National Park can be visited all year round /anytime of the year. However, June, July August, and Mid-September, December to February is the best time to visit Rwanda for Gorilla trekking. For those who want to trek and do canopy walks this is the best time because the trails are dry and passable. However, March to May and October to November are the rainy months in Rwanda. This, therefore, means that the activities you plan may still be achievable.
How to get to Volcano National Park
Volcanoes National Park is located northeast of Rwanda close to the border with Uganda in the north and DR Congo in the west. The park is 2-hours drive on the smooth road from Kigali that offers amazing experiences of Rwanda countryside. The nearest big town, Musanze 20-minutes drive close for travelers on tour of Rwanda who are comfortable urban life. Chanika international border post with Uganda is a 30-minutes drive by road and an easy way to extend safaris between the two countries. Akagera Aviation offers faster helicopter charter flights to Kinigi.