Enquire

Volcanoes National Park

  1. Home
  2. Volcanoes National Park

The premium Gorilla Tracking Destination

Volcanoes National Park also known as Parc National des Volcans is Rwanda’s most popular national park known mostly for mountain gorilla trekking. And although the stars of Volcanoes national park are mountain gorillas, it offers much more.

The park located in the northern district of Musanze, was recognized in 1925, making it the oldest national park in Africa.

Part of the Virunga Conservation Area covering 125 km² and which spans to Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, continuing to Virunga National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park respectively and has five Virunga volcanoes that Sabyinyo (3.674 m), Gahinga (3.474 m), Bisoke (3711 m), Muhabura (4.127 m), and the Karisimbi which is the highest volcano at an altitude of 4.507 meters above sea level. All these five volcanoes are extinct and the active ones are in Congo with Nyiragongo which erupted in January 2002 and Nyamulagira in July 2002.

The Virunga is composed of 4 major vegetation zones that bamboo which is at the base altitude), Hagenia and Hypericum forest (2600-3300m), Sub-alpine (3300-4000m), and Afro-alpine (4000m).

It should be noted that this park was Dian Fossey’s base for a long time.

Things to do in Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla Trekking or Gorilla Tracking

Gorilla Trekking or Gorilla tracking is the most popular activity in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Mountain Gorillas are highly endangered and can only be found in three countries in the whole world. These are Rwanda (Obviously), Uganda and DR Congo. Tracking Mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes is an experience that cannot be compared to another. The tracking is highly guided by a great team of rangers, guides and porters who make sure that you have a magical experience. The trek starts by a briefing at the park offices with a cup of Rwanda coffee and entertainment from the cultural dancers.

You are then led into the park, searching for the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park takes 2-7 hours before meeting the mountain gorillas. The time taken to see mountain gorillas depends on where these beautiful giant gorillas nested the previous night. Once you come face to face with them, you are allowed only one hour with them. The whole experience observing them how they interact with each other, feed and play is a once in a life time experience.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park can be done on a 2 Days gorilla trekking tour (Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Day 2: Gorilla tracking and transfer back to Kigali) or you can choose from the different suggested itineraries in Rwanda which can be tailor made to suit your tour needs and budget.

Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

The other popular activity in Volcanoes National Park is golden Monkey tracking. Golden monkey tracking is a great experience as well and should not be missed out while visiting the park.

There are two habituated troops that can be tracked with the guidance of rangers and guides. The track allows visitors to come up close learning more about them and taking their beautiful photos.

The activity can be combined with gorilla tracking and or with other activities in the park. It starts in the morning at 8am with a briefing.

Golden monkeys are highly endangered and could face extinction. They can only be found in the Virunga mountain ranges of DR Congo, Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Uganda and Rwanda. They mostly live in the bamboo forests.
The largest habituated troop lives in the Sabyinyo are and has about 80-100 members and this is the most visited troo.

There is no age limit for Golden Monkey tracking and can be done throughout the year.

Iby’lyacu Cultural village

After you gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park, you can visit Iby’lyacu Cultural village. You will learn about the cultural of Rwanda that includes music and dances and learning about herbal medicine that the people used before modern medicine, learn ways of the ancient Rwanda Kingdom.

Visitors will be welcomes by the beautiful sounds of drums and joyful dancers. Most of the dancers and performers at the village are ex-poachers. The activities at the center are interactive and can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.