Spectacular Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, 2024 Guide
Volcanoes National Park is a Rwanda Gorilla Park in Ruhengeri district. Read more about Volcanoes National Park’s attractions, lodges, facts & best time to visit.
All Rwanda gorilla safaris and golden monkey trekking happens in Volcanoes National Park. Tourists flock Parc National des Volcans to trek mountain gorillas due to its safety, accessibility, congenial lodges and variety of wildlife activities.
Rwanda Volcanoes National Park is situated in the north-west of Rwanda, about 2 hours’ drive from Kigali City and bordering Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in south-western Uganda as well as Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. This Park extends for an area of 160 square kilometers (16,000 hectares) of rainforest, Bamboo and Volcanoes.
Gazetted in 1925, Volcanoes National Park became the base for Dian Fossey-the American primatologist that dedicated 18 years of her life studying the Mountain gorillas. It is a home to five of the eight Virunga Volcanoes that include Bisoke, Gahinga, Karisimbi, Muhabura and Sabyinyo Volcanoes.
Flora and Fauna of Volcanoes National Park
The unique altitude of Volcanoes National Park ranges from 2500 meters to 4500 meters above sea level at the peak of Mount Karisimbi the highest point of the Park.
This extraordinary altitude different has greatly influenced the variation in vegetation with montane forest being on the lowest zone, followed by the Neoboutonia forest, Bamboo forest, Hagenia-Hypericum forest, Lobelia wollastonii, Lobelia lanurensis, Senecio erici-rosenii, grassland, secondary thicket, meadows, wetlands, marshes to Lakes.
A wide range of mammal species call the Volcanoes National Park home and these include mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, black and white colobus monkeys, bushbucks, black-fronted duikers, forest buffaloes, forest elephants, leopards, giant forest hogs and bush pigs among others.
Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri is a home to over 180 species of birds including 16 species endemic to the Rwenzori Mountains and 13 species that are endemic to the Virunga Mountains range.
Popular bird species are the Cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, grey-throated tit, Rwenzori double collared sunbirds, long-crested eagles, Rwenzori batis strange weavers, Handsome francolin, Rwenzori turaco, Archer’s ground robin, Grauer’s rush warblers, Paradise flycatcher, red-faced woodland warblers, Dusky Crimsonwing and many others.
Tourist Activities in Volcanoes National Park
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
As of 2019, there are 10 habituated gorilla families open for tourism in Volcanoes National Park thus 80 gorilla permits are issued per day by the Rwanda development Board at $1500 per person per trek.
The half hour to 3 hours’ trek usually starts with meeting at the Park Headquarters at 7am for pre-tracking briefing.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden monkey tracking is another interesting tourist activity in Volcanoes National Park with two habituated communities tracked daily at $100 per person per trek.
Dian Fossey gravesite Hike
Hikes to the Dian Fossey gravesite are organized daily to allow tourists learn and be introduced to the interesting life of Dian Fossey the American primatologist that spent a good part of her life studying the Mountain gorillas until her life was prematurely ended allegedly by poachers.
The two hours’ hike also offers sights and sounds of the other residents of the Park such as birds, primates and elephants among others.
Volcano Climbing
Volcano climbing is another popular tourist activity enjoyed in Volcanoes National Park with tourists hiking Karisimbi, Bisoke and Sabyinyo Volcanoes to be rewarded with the views of the other Virunga Volcanoes, rolling hills and their respective summits.
Cultural Tours
Cultural tours in Volcanoes National Park are mainly conducted to the nearby Iby’Iwacu Cultural village where entertainment, traditional marriages, traditional food preparation, traditional medicinal preparation and many other interesting cultural activities are organized for tourists.
Birding – Bird Watching
Birding in Volcanoes National Park offers sights and sounds of numerous bird species including the long-crested eagles, Rwenzori batis strange weavers, handsome francolin, Rwenzori turaco, Archer’s ground robin and many others.
Nature Walks/Forest Walk
Unlike gorilla trekking, Dian Fossey gravesite hike and volcano climbing that are usually invigorating and physically demanding, nature walks are easier but reward tourists to a medley of attractions ranging from the birds, trees, butterflies, reptiles, Amphibians to primate species.
Musanze Cave Tours
Your visit to Volcanoes National Park leads you to the Musanze caves for their beautiful appearance and mysterious history among others.
Visit to the Twin Lakes
Your visit to Volcanoes National Park also involves exploring the stunning Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo with a boat cruise allowing you to explore its entire beauty.
Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park - Safari Lodges
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is one of the few Protected Areas in Africa with wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from budget to luxury lodges to cater for all categories of gorilla trekkers.
The best Lodges in Rwanda are Kinigi Guesthouse, Muhabura Hotel, Mountain Gorillas View Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Le Palme Hotel, Bisate Lodge, One&Only Gorilla Nest Lodge and many others.
Best Time to Visit Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda can be visited at any time of the year but the dry months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December are the best for Mountain Gorilla Trekking, golden monkeys, hiking the Dian Fossey gravesite, climbing the Virunga Volcanoes and undertaking other nature walks because since the rains are relatively lower, trails tend to be less slippery.
The wet months-March, April, May, October and November that are characterized by muddy and slippery hiking trails. However, birding and butterfly watching is perfect during the wet months.
How to Get To Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is situated in the northern province of Rwanda in Musanze district and can be reached through air and road transport.
For road transport, both private and public means can be used whereby with the latter, buses from Kigali or hire a car for self drive from Gisenyi lasting 2-3 hours’ transfer until Musanze then you are required to hire a cab or motorcycle to the Park headquarters.
Best Rwanda Volcanoes National Park Tours
The 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tour is a short tour set for those of you with limited time or on budget tour in Rwanda to also get a magical encounter with the rare mountain gorillas while in their natural habitat. It takes you to Volcanoes Gorilla Park in the northern… View Itinerary
4 Days Rwanda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Tour is short Rwanda safari taking you to Volcanoes for mountain gorilla trekking & nyungwe forest for chimpanzees and canopy walk. This Africa wildlife safari to the “Land of a Thousand Hills” also double as… View Itinerary
This 5 Days Rwanda Primates Safari will give you an exposure to the various primates in Rwanda game parks which include gorilla trekking, and golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes safari park chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe national park. The 5 days Rwanda primates… View Itinerary
The 7 Days Rwanda Wildlife Safari features magnificent wildlife game safaris like the big 5 such as lions, elephants, leopards, crocodiles, giraffes, Topis, antelopes among others.It is rich in biodiversity including the Savannah wetlands with lots of lakes such as… View Itinerary
Your 10 Days Gorilla Trekking Rwanda Safari takes you to Volcanoes National Park – a home to a section of mountain gorillas, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Akagera National Park, Rwanda genocide sites and the scenic Lake Kivu. It is a special package designed for you… View Itinerary
FAQs about Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
A Rwanda safari to Volcanoes national park is worth every time and money as it offers wonderful views and experiences on top of being a conservation area for the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
There are about 380 mountain gorillas in Volcanoes national park Rwanda that are shared into the 10 habituated gorilla groups.
Volcanoes is popular for mountain gorillas and golden monkeys although, these are not the only residents of the park. Volcanoes national park is a home to other primates e.g. black and white colobus monkeys, hundreds of bird species, mammals such as spotted hyenas, bushbucks, black-fronted duikers, forest buffaloes, forest elephants, leopards, giant forest hogs and bush pigs.
Volcanoes national park is one of the few areas on the planet that are reserved for Mountain Gorilla and Golden Monkey conservation. Ever since its establishment, the park has registered success in conserving the once critically endangered primate specie.
There are over 10 eco-friendly accommodation/lodges in Volcanoes namely; Bisate Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Muhabura Hotel, Mountain Gorillas View Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Le Palme Hotel, etc