Volcanoe National Park Rwanda

Lying in the heart of East-Central Africa is the spectacular Volcanoes National Park, home not only to the endangered mountain gorilla but also to the ancient Virunga Volcano Mountains. Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s oldest Park, created in 1925, and it covers a compact area but is known for its rich mosaic of montane ecosystems. This Park currently extends up to 160 sq. km, a compact area but blessed with a myriad of unique attractions, and its landscape largely comprising of lush evergreen vegetation, swamps, open grassland, heath, and bamboo forest. Volcanoes National Park derives its name after the chain of the scenic dormant Virunga Mountains.

Location of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is located in the Virunga Conservation Area, Northwestern Rwanda. The park is found within the Musanze District in Rwanda, and the Virunga region where it lies is also shared by Congo and Uganda. Volcanoes National Park inhabits a great number of unique geological features, including Mt. Sabyinyo, Muhabura, Bisoke, Karisimbi, and Gahinga Volcanoes. The presence of these Virunga Volcanoes makes the park more spectacular with an exceptional landscape.

The History of the Park

Volcanoes National Park was part of the original Albert National Park, which was gazetted in 1925 before it was renamed in 1929. After it was separated following independence granted by the Belgian Colonial rule in the 1960s. In 1967, Volcanoes National Park became home to the world’s prominent American primatologist, Dian Fossey. During her research time in the Virunga Volcanoes, she founded the Karisoke Research Centre based around Bisoke and Karisimbi Mountain ranges. The study centre mainly helped her research activities in the Volcanoes National Park.

Dian Fossey committed herself to explore more about mountain gorillas’ behaviors, and she is remembered for her strong campaign against poaching practices. It was unfortunate that her research journey ended in 1985 when she was mysteriously killed. Today, the body of Dian Fossey lies at the research centre with other gorillas, including the Digit gorilla that she loved a lot.

Around the 1990s, Volcanoes National Park was affected by the Rwanda civil war, a factor that disrupted normal operations of the park up to 1999. But there has been a tremendous impact given the prevailing peace and stability, with gorilla conservation and tourism greatly boosted. A number of practices have been put in place, including the Kwita Izina, which is aimed at creating awareness about the value of protecting gorillas and their habitats.

The Key Attractions to Explore in Volcanoes National Park –Musanze

Volcanoes’ wildlife

Within the lush Volcanoes National Park, there are several wildlife to explore. They include the endangered mountain gorillas, forest elephants, spotted hyenas, bushbucks, golden monkeys, buffaloes, bush pigs, & duikers.

Birds of Volcanoes

An estimated population of about 200 bird species resides in Volcanoes National Park, including mainly the Albertine Rift endemic species. The main birds that have been recorded in this park alone include the Archer’s ground robin, Lagden’s bush-shrikes, Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds, regal sunbirds, red-faced woodlands, Handsome spurfowl, Grauer’s swamp, red-chested sunbirds, strange weaver birds, red-tufted sunbirds, Ashy flycatchers, Northern-double-collared sunbirds, copper sunbirds, cape robin-chats, Rwenzori turacos, red-faced woodland warblers, dusky crimsonwing, scarlet-chested sunbirds, olive-bellied sunbirds, bronze sunbirds, mountain illadopsis, African thrush, common bulbul, African dusky flycatchers, white-starred robin, and stuhlmann’s sunbirds.

Volcanoes National Park also hosts additional birds such as plain martin, Eurasian blackcap, willow warblers, Rwenzori hill babblers, green white-eye, rock martin, barn swallow, lesser striped swallows, tawny-flanked prinia, Angola swallows, black sawing, brown-crowned tchagra, mosque swallow, northern fiscals, black-faced apalis, cinnamon bracken-warblers, wire-tailed swallows, tropical boubou, African paradise-flycatchers, Mackinnon’s shrikes, and Carruthers’s cisticola.

What to do in & around Volcanoes National Park, Musanze

Top things to enjoy in Volcanoes National Park include mountain gorilla trekking, birding, Dian Fossey tomb walk, Volcano Mountain hiking/climbing, golden monkey tracking, Lake Kivu excursions, cave tour, twin lake tours, and community tours.

Mountain gorilla trekking

When you visit Volcanoes National Park, mountain gorilla trekking is the first primate adventure you shouldn’t miss to engage in. Visitors on a gorilla trek take a guided walk to see mountain gorillas in the wild, and this excursion lasts for 2-6 hours, although this depends on your speed of hiking speed or the nature of the habitat.

The actual gorilla trek with the Rwanda gorillas starts at around 8:00 am, with visitors being led by experienced ranger guides. During the gorilla trek, the focus is often to explore one of the 13 habituated gorilla families, which include the Kwitonda group, Ugenda gorilla group, Sabyinyo, Agashya, Amahoro group, Noheli gorilla group, and Hirwa, etc. The normal treks to explore these groups are limited to a maximum of 8 pax.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes is conducted only by persons with valid permits. Visitors are recommended to secure their permits in advance, about 2-6 months before the actual date of trekking. Currently, the cost of permits for gorilla trekking in Rwanda still stands at US Dollars 1500 per person.

Golden monkey tracking

Guided golden monkey tracking offers nature lovers a great chance to explore already habituated golden monkey troops. The majority of the habituated golden monkeys dominate the Sabyinyo Mountain slopes. To enjoy the trek with golden monkeys, expect to secure a permit for US Dollars 100 per person. The eligible age limit for golden monkey treks is 12 years and above. The golden monkey treks in Volcanoes National Park start from Kinigi offices and are expected to spend at least 2-4 hours in the wild.

Birding

Volcanoes National Park is one of the important bird areas in Rwanda, and during a birding tour, expect to search for a variety of species of birds that reside here. Birds that have been recorded in the various habitats in this park include Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds, red-faced woodland warblers, dusky crimson-wing, Archer’s ground robin, turacos, and many others.

Volcano hiking

Expect to also embark on a guided volcano hike to the finest Virunga Volcanoes, especially Bisoke, Karisimbi -4507m, Muhabura, & Gahinga. The most hiked of these Virunga Volcanoes include Karisimbi & Bisoke.

Dian Fossey tomb trek with an expert

A guided Dian Fossey tomb hike shouldn’t be missed on a Rwanda safari in Volcanoes National Park. The extended hike to visit the Dian Fossey site takes about 2-3 hours, and you embark on a hike with volcanoes ranger guide.

Cultural visits

Volcanoes National Park tours aren’t complete without a tour of the surrounding local community. Visit Iby’Iwacu cultural village to meet the ex-poachers, explore more about the distinct traditions, practices, and cultures of the Rwandan people. You will also expect to enjoy great entertainment while the locals showcase their dances and music performances.

The best time to explore Volcanoes National Park (Musanze)

Volcanoes National Park tours can be enjoyed at any time of the year, given its favorable weather conditions. But the peak dry months offer more ideal conditions than any other season, with the first phase often extending from June to September, and another phase begins from December to February. The remaining months are mainly the off-peak dry seasons/months and are often preferred for birding excursions.

Accommodation Facilities to book

Popular accommodation –lodges & camps that are available for booking on a safari in Volcanoes National Park comprise budget, midrange, and luxury. They include, among others, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse, Bishop’s House, LeBambou Gorilla Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Amakoro Songa Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, and Muhabura Hotel.

How to get to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda –quick tip

Visitors have easier access to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park from Kigali, whereby the entire journey can run for about 2-3 hour. But even if you are in Nyungwe, you can drive for 4 to 5 hours to Musanze and access Volcanoes National Park. Visitors who may prefer flights you can book the helicopter tours from Akagera Aviation, set off from Kigali, and land at the Kamembe Airport. At the Kamembe Airport, you can drive up to the park in less than 30 minutes.

Conclusion: Volcanoes National Park is an exceptional destination in Rwanda to experience adventures such as gorilla trekking, volcano hikes, birding, golden monkey tracking, Dian Fossey grave trek, and more. Book your tour with Maranatha Tours & Travel to unearth the wonders of Volcanoes National Park in Musanze.