Planning to visit Volcanoes National Park and you aren’t sure how easily you can get there? Getting to Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri has many options that visitors can consider within Rwanda and also from Uganda. The available access options to Volcanoes National Park are both road and air. Its with no doubt that Volcanoes National park is the most visited National park by most travelers on Rwanda tours
Getting to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali
Volcanoes National Park is the most accessed gorilla tours destination in Africa. The distance from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri is about 105 km. The 105 km distance translates to about 2-3 hours’ drive. From Kigali, visitors can begin their journey right from the heart of the city depending on the hotel location, or from the Kigali International Airport (KGL).
Driving time from the heart of Kigali may vary depending on the speed of the driver and the condition of the vehicle. A 4×4 safari vehicle is most recommended for road trips from Kigali city to Volcanoes National Park. The 4×4 rental car options are available for hire and your local expert is in a position to secure your dream ride for your road trip.
A professional driver guide can be availed to take you from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park in Ruhengeri. Driving from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park allows you to appreciate the natural beauty of the remotest countryside of Rwanda. The park is set in the northwestern part of Rwanda and the region is characterized by rolling hills.
Drive at a low pace and enjoy the countryside’s breathtaking scenery. There are also other multiple attractions to explore before getting to Volcanoes National Park. Adjacent to the park, visitors can visit Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo, Musanze caves, and Lake Kivu.
Getting to Volcanoes National Park from Uganda
From Uganda, visitors can drive for about 3-4 hours from Kabale or Kisoro town. This involves driving via the Katuna or Chanika border. Driving from Kabale or Kisoro involves exploring the beauty of Southwestern Uganda combined with Rwanda landscapes.
Where is Volcanoes National Park located?
Volcanoes National Park is lying in the Virunga Mountain ranges, Northwestern Rwanda. The park is situated within the Musanze District, formerly called Ruhengeri. Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA). It is lying in the Virunga Volcano-dominated region and comprises 5 volcanoes where it takes its name.
The five Virunga volcanoes to explore on Rwanda safaris in Volcanoes National Park include Muhabura Volcano, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Bisoke, and Gahinga Volcanoes.
Musanze to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Driving distance from Musanze to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda takes about 22 minutes. The park is 12.8 km away from Musanze via the Ruhengeri-Gisenyi route.
Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park
Access from Nyungwe Forest National Park to Volcanoes National Park takes about 5 to 6 hours. Driving from Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park takes you on a scenic journey characterized by breathtaking views of the countryside landscapes and Lake Kivu.
Getting to Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri by air
Take a scheduled helicopter flight and set off from Kigali International Airport (KGL) to Musanze Airstrip. This route is operated by Akagera Aviation. From Musanze Airstrip, you can drive to the park for your safari activities.
What to see in Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri
Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri is bio-diverse destination, home to abundant wildlife and birds. Over 380 mountain gorillas survive in Volcanoes National Park, golden monkeys and these exist together with many other mammal species. These include buffaloes, elephants, black-fronted duikers, spotted hyenas, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, and colobus monkeys.
Bird species
A total of 200 bird species including about 17 Albertine rift endemic species exist in Volcanoes National Park. The presence of diverse bird species makes Volcanoes National Park one of the best bird-watching destinations. The birds to search for during the birding tour in Volcanoes Park include the Rwenzori turacos, collared apalis, red-faced woodland, Archer’s ground robin, and yellow-eyed black flycatchers. Other bird species include Rwenzori hill babblers, Grauer’s rush-warblers, masked mountain apalis, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, and Rwenzori batis.
The best months of the year to visit Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri for birding tours is around June to September and December to February. April and November are also essential for birders to encounter different migratory birds or a majority of the resident avifaunal species as they mark the breeding months of the year.
Things to expect to enjoy in and around Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
There are multiple activities to enjoy on the Rwanda tour in Volcanoes National Park. They include mountain gorilla trekking, volcano hiking or climbing, Musanze cave tours, golden monkey tracking, bird watching, and Iby’Iwacu cultural visits.
What to pack for a safari to Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri
Pack right for your road trip to Volcanoes National Park. The packing list should comprise waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, a camera (should be free from the flashlight), an extra camera battery, a memory card, long trousers/pants, and a rain jacket. Your packing list should also include energy-giving snacks, insect repellents, a daypack, sunscreen, sunglasses, a safari hat, a pair of binoculars, and others.
When to visit Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is open for tourism at any time of the year. The best months to visit the park for a holiday is around June, July, August, and September; then December, January, to February.
During these peak dry months, there is low rainfall experienced, and the trails or forest floor is kept drier making it easier to trek in the highlands in search of gorillas or on a guided volcano hiking adventure.
Where to stay on a Rwanda safari holiday in Volcanoes National Park
The different accommodation choices to book for a night stay in and around Volcanoes National Park range from budget to luxury. The gorilla safari lodges to book include One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Amakoro Songa Lodge, Sambora Kinigi Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse, and Muhabura Hotel.
Conclusively, getting to Volcanoes National Ruhengeri is easier by road and also by air. By road, you need a good 4×4 safari vehicle for your safe navigation from Kigali/Uganda to the park.
