Comprehensive Guide to Visiting Volcanoes National Park

Taking a trip to Rwanda’s home of endangered mountain gorillas is walking off-the-beaten-track through ancient, mist-blanketed mountain slopes as well as verdant rainforests resonating with sounds of chirping birds. This stunning Protected Area is situated within Rwanda’s north-western border, stretching for about 160 square kilometers of montane rainforest, with up to five of the eight mountains that compose the Virunga massif.

Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda

Gorilla Trekking Experience in Rwanda

This National Park is proximate to Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park as well as Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which together remain as the only places where mountain gorillas are still found in the whole World. For the protection of these Great Apes and fragile ecosystem in the North-western part of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park was first established in 1925, making it one of the oldest Parks in the African Continent. Trekking mountain gorillas is the most popular tourist adventure within Volcanoes National Park.

Things to do while you are there

Mountain gorilla trekking

There aren’t many places in this World where you can trek the mountain gorillas. Book a gorilla permit at $1500 directly from Rwanda Development Board or indirectly via a credible tour Operator like Maranatha Tours and Travel, then take on any of the trails to meet one of the 12 habituated gorilla families in the Park. Travellers to this safari destination also get the chance to learn more about the Great Apes while at Karisoke Research Center, established in 1967 by Dian Fossey. This American primatologist lived at the Center, conducted studies on the mountain gorillas and protected them until her death in 1985.

Golden monkey tracking

With two habituated troops of golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, this stunning Protected Area is a fantastic place to see these Albertine Rift endemic primates. Daily tracking adventures start from Kinigi Park Headquarters, yet a number of animals especially bush pigs, forest elephants, black-fronted duikers, buffaloes and birds are spotted along the way.

Birding tours

Volcanoes National Park is also a great destination for birding tours, primarily because of its medley of Rwenzori and Albertine Rift endemic species. About 200 of Rwanda’s total bird species reside here with the common ones being handsome francolin, strange weavers, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori batis, Archer’s ground robin, Dusky Crimsonwing, Rwenzori double collared sunbirds, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Grauer’s rush warblers, Kivu ground thrush, to mention but a few. Therefore, bird lovers are advised to grab their binoculars and set out in the morning when numerous bird species are very active in addition to purchasing a guide book for Rwanda’s birds.

Hiking

With a number of kilometers of hiking trails, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is best explored on foot and surprisingly, these hikes vary in difficulty-easy walks to half day hikes that offer the perfect views of the jungle attractions. Adventure seekers normally explore the Lake Ngezi trail, Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi hikes among others.

Other riveting tourist activities enjoyed during Volcanoes National Park tours are Helicopter tours departing from Kigali International Airport, visits to Gorilla Guardian’s Village, biking and tours of Musanze Caves.

When is the perfect time to undertake tours of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda?

This is Volcanoes National Park. Therefore weather doesn’t vary significantly from month to month, with temperatures averaging between 15 and 20 Celsius Degrees throughout the year. These temperatures sometimes drop to 7 Celsius Degrees and rainfall levels reach a peak of 2000 millimeters during the rainy season. This doesn’t affect your visit, although it comes with a number of challenges that include walking through denser vegetation, muddy and slippery forest trails. One thing you need to understand is that this Park is busy almost all year round.

The dry months-June to September and December to February bring the highest influx of gorilla trekkers to the magnificent Volcanoes National Park because rainfall is minimal, in addition to forest trails being drier, not messy or slippery.

Places of lodging

There are a number of beautiful Tented Camps, Safari Lodges and Hotels within the outskirts of Volcanoes National Park, offering memorable stays, delicious meals and soothing relaxation opportunities for adventure-seekers. However, our top picks are the luxurious One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Virunga Lodge and Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel among others.

How to get there

The nearest Airport to Volcanoes National Park is Kigali International, approximately 72 miles to its South-East. It is an easy and direct drive that lasts 2-3 hours to the Park entrance Gate. Along the way, travellers pass through the beautiful sceneries and hilly slopes of Ruhengeri where stops can be made for a cup of locally brewed banana beer or a cup of aromatic Rwandan coffee. Helicopter flights take only about 45 minutes from Kigali International Airport, operated by Akagera Aviation.

Important tips for exploring Volcanoes National Park

  • While Volcanoes National Park is open throughout the year, it is best explored during the dry season-December to February and June to September when less rains are experienced, thus offering less difficult walking conditions and the terrains are easier to navigate.
  • Make sure that you are vaccinated against yellow-fever with evidence presented in form of certificates.
  • Volcanoes National Park is primarily montane rainforest and downpours are guaranteed at all time, therefore be sure to pack strong hiking boots, lightweight and waterproof rain jacket, warm sweater, long sleeved shirts, safari pants, strong walking shoes with enough drip for maneuvering through the rugged and slippery terrains, re-usable water bottle, backpack, and many others.
  • Due to the dense nature of vegetation in Volcanoes National Park, it is advisable to only undertake walks under the guidance of armed and expert Ranger Guides.
  • Follow Park rules at all time and keep the forest clean. It would interest you to know that Rwanda is one of the few African countries where dumping of rubbish is punishable by Law.