Volcanoes National Park has grown in popularity over the years as one of just three habitats for the world’s huge, hairy, and powerful mountain gorillas. As a result, gorilla trekking safaris to this region are quickly becoming a popular tourist activity in Rwanda.
History of Volcanoes National Park.
Rwanda is proud of its three national parks, including Volcanoes National Park. It is also known as ‘Parc National des Volcans’ in French. The national park is located in Musanze, in Rwanda’s north-western province. The national park is home to several bird and plant species. It is also one of the homes for the world’s endangered mountain gorilla species, along with Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
The Volcanoes National Park shares borders with Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. It includes five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga volcano region: Mount Karisimbi, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Bisoke.
Africa’s oldest national park, Volcanoes National Park, received its designation in 1925. The national park designation aimed to protect mountain gorillas from poaching.
Volcanoes National Park expanded from Rwanda to Congo in 1929. The national park was initially named Albert National Park after King Albert I. It was managed and operated by the Belgian Colonialist administration at the time.Volcanoes National Park was partitioned between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 1960s after both gained independence. This reduced the park’s size by half, resulting in the establishment of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo. the Congo.
Volcanoes National Park spans 160 square kilometres of rainforest and bamboo. There are 178 bird species, with 13 and 16 subspecies in the Virunga Conservation Area and the Rwenzori Mountains, respectively.
In 1967, Dian Fossey, an American primatologist and naturalist, used Volcanoes National Park as her base. Her scientific research in the park stretches back to 1966, when she began observing mountain gorilla groups there. They buried her at a park cemetery site after her murder.
Volcanoes National Park is home to many mammal species, including bushbucks, vervet and white and black colobus monkeys, spotted hyenas, forest elephants, buffaloes, and gigantic pigs.
Volcanoes National Park later became a battleground during the early 1990s Rwandan civil war. The genocidal conflict had a significant impact on the lives of Rwandans, as well as restricted tourism activity in the area until 1999.
However, in 2005, the Rwandan government instituted a baby gorilla naming ritual known as ‘Kwita Iziina’. Volcanoes National Park implemented this to enhance tourism and conservation efforts. Locals and visitors alike participate in the annual ritual of naming infant gorillas.
Volcanoes National Park’s headquarters are at Kinigi, a small settlement in Musanze, which was once known as Ruhengeri. The park headquarters in Kinigi grants trekking permits and briefs guests who enter the national park. It is vital to note that tourists planning to go gorilla or golden monkey trekking in the park should book their permits at least six months in advance. This is to avoid any trouble, particularly during the busy season of June to September, when permits are certain to be available. Permits for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda cost USD 1500 and USD 700, respectively.
Activities at Volcanoes National Park.
Tourists can participate in a variety of entertaining, adventurous, and memorable activities, including:
Gorilla Trekking
The gorilla trekking activities in Parc National des Volcans are one of the highlights of a Rwanda safari. Tourists visiting the national park can monitor mountain gorillas for a charge of $1500. You can trek gorillas all year, depending on when you book, but the peak season, from June to September, is the best time to trek. All tourists who wish to trek must obtain a gorilla trekking permit, and trekking is only permitted for people over the age of 18. The park’s headquarters in Kinigi start tracking activities at 7 a.m., so visitors should arrive promptly. Visit the link “Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park” for more information about this activity.
Gold monkeymonkey trekkingtrekking
Trekking golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park is a thrilling and adventurous experience. Visitors to the national park can see two habituated groups of golden monkeys. Both groups have 80 members, and tracking activities start at 7 a.m. Permits for golden monkey trekking cost USD 100, and this fee is reduced across Rwanda and Uganda.
Hiking Mountains: Karisimbi and Bisoke
This pastime comprises hiking treks to the mountains of Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, or Gahinga. Tourists on a trekking trip to Mount Karisimbi can see birds, wildlife such as mountain gorillas and forest elephants, and several bug species. While trekking Mount Bisoke, tourists can see sites such as the Crater Lake on the summit. Hiking activities in Volcanoes National Park cost between USD 75 and 100 per person.
Hike to the Dian Fossey Grave Site
Tourists visiting Volcanoes National Park can visit Dian Fossey’s burial site and the Karisoke Research Centre, both of which are located within the park. Please see our article on Dian Fossey for more information. This activity costs USD $100 per person.
Caving: While touring Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, guests can pay a USD fee to climb to the Musanze Caves, which are located within the park. These caves formed as a result of a volcanic outburst approximately 65 million years ago.
The Rwanda Development Board opened the Musanze Caves to the general public and tourists in 2013. The lush and green rocky caves, which stretch for about 2 km, are home to cave bats. The caves provide tourists with equipment such as gloves, knee caps, boots, face masks, helmets, and head caps.
Cultural Tour
Visitors to Volcanoes National Park must also explore the surrounding settlements. Visitors on cultural tours have the opportunity to visit the Ibyiwacu Community hamlet, where they can interact with the locals, enjoy the entertainment of the local intore dancing troupe, and explore the hamlet on foot.
The village guides guests through its cultural background and the process of brewing its native banana brew.
Attractions at Volcanoes National Park.
Tourists can visit Volcanoes National Park to see a variety of attractions, including:
Mountain Gorillas
VolcanoVolcano National Park is home to half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. After the death of scientist and conservationist Dian Fossey in 1985, these unique and intriguing animal species grew in popularity. She conducted comprehensive scientific research onon mountain gorilla families in the national park.
Mountain gorillas live in family groups of 30 people who are commanded by an adult male known as a Silverback. Adult male gorillas can weigh between 136 and 195 kg, while adult females weigh between 68 and 113 kg. Baby gorillas can weigh between 2 and 3 kilogrammes.
Many people travel from all over the world to Volcanoes National Park to have a thrilling experience with habituated mountain gorillas.
Dian Fossey’s gravesite
Dian Fossey was an American primatologist and conservationist whose scientific research on mountain gorillas greatly improved our understanding of these creatures and the necessity for their conservation. In 1985, authorities discovered Fossey’s body in her camp in Rwanda. She was buried near her favourite gorilla, ‘Digit’. Dian Fossey’s tomb is a must-see for everyone visiting Volcanoes National Park.
The Karisoke Research Centre
Dian Fossey used this research centre as a basis for her and her team’s study. Visitors to the Karisoke Research Centre can learn more about Dian and her outstanding contribution to conservation efforts in the national park.
Mount Karisimbi
Mount Karisimbi is a stratovolcano and the highest of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga volcanic range. It is 4507 meters above sea level and Africa’s fifth-highest peak. The mountain is home to a large number of bird and plant species, as well as several mountain gorilla populations.
Volcanoes National Park allows visitors to schedule hikes on Mount Karisimbi. Tourists can see a variety of bird and plant species while climbing up the peak, and if they’re lucky, they might even see mountain gorillas.
Mount Bisoke
Mount Bisoke, one of eight volcanic peaks in the Virunga volcano field, is a dormant volcano. The last volcanic eruption on the peak occurred in 1957.
The mountain is situated on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and its highest point is in Rwanda. The stunning Crater Lake at Mount Bisoke’s peak is one of its most distinctive features. Tourists visiting the national park can go on adventurous hikes to Crater Lake in the mountains.
There are more attractions in Volcanoes National Park that tourists may be interested in. These include the twin lakes (Ruhondo and Burera), the golden monkeys, and the Musanze caverns.
AccommodationAccommodation in Volcanoes National Park
Tourists visiting Volcanoes National Park have access to a wide range of housing options. These are: Bisate Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, and Gorilla Volcano Lodge.
All of the lodging establishments listed above include budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodations for tourists visiting Volcanoes National Park. These facilities also provide a variety of services to their clients, including free Wi-Fi, superb restaurant/dining meals, a well-stocked bar and lounge space for visitors, free adequate packing, spa treatments, a gym, and breathtaking views of lakes such as Burera, Ruhondo, and Kivu, among others.
How to go to Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National Park is accessible by vehicle from either Gisenyi or Kigali. All tours to the national park start from Kigali International Airport. Visitors will then have to drive two hours to the park’s headquarters in Kinigi. The national park’s proximity to Kigali City makes it an ideal site for short visits and gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda.
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda has a vast selection of activities to offer its guests; therefore, a Rwanda safari/tour is incomplete without a visit to this national park.
