Volcanoes National Park is located in the northern province of Rwanda in the Musanze district. The park is known for being home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Volcanoes National Park is a reliable safari destination for gorilla trekking tours and gorilla adventures in Rwanda. If you are planning a classic or luxury gorilla trekking tour in East Africa, Volcanoes National Park should be part of your travel list.
Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area which comprises four national Parks. These include; Virunga National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Volcanoes National Park. The park is home to diverse wildlife and bird species. The swampy grasslands, streams, rainforests, and bamboo trees support the survival of the different species dwelling in the park. A visit to Volcanoes National Park on a gorilla trekking tour gives you a chance to see white colobus monkeys and golden monkeys. You will also meet over 300 bird species some of which are restricted to the area. The majority of the bird species in Volcanoes are rift valley endemics.
History of Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park was gazette in 1925 as a gorilla conservation area. The main aim of conserving this part was protecting gorillas from poachers who had become a big threat. There is no doubt that mountain gorillas were on the verge of extinction, little wonder, the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Volcanoes National Park is the first park to be gazette in Africa. It is also the oldest national Park in Africa.
Later on, Volcanoes National Park became a base for an American primatologist – Dian Fossey. Dian Fossey was a historic conservationist who dedicated all her life to saving mountain gorillas. She was later killed by poachers and buried in Volcanoes National Park. Taking on a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park gives you a chance to visit the Dian Fossey grave. The grave is in the present Dian Fossey Conservation Area also known as the Karisoke Research Center.
As of today, Volcanoes National Park is a renowned safari destination for mountain gorilla trekking, birding tours, golden monkey tracking, and many other safari activities.
What to do in Volcanoes National Park?
Several activities can be done in Volcanoes National Park. Each activity done here is a rewarding adventure that helps visitors create a signature of memories. While booking your Rwanda tours, adding Volcanoes National Park is a good decision. Below are some of the safari activities done in Volcanoes National Park.
Mountain Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Looking for the best place to see mountain gorillas? Volcanoes National Park is home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. The park is a reliable destination for gorilla trekking tours in Africa. Volcanoes National Park has over 9 habituated mountain gorilla families. On your Rwanda gorilla safari, you will take part in this amazing safari activity and spend time in the presence of mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park starts in the morning at about 8:00 am, travelers report to the park headquarters for briefing before taking on this amazing activity. The briefing is meant to equip them with gorilla trekking etiquette as well as gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Volcanoes National Park. after the briefing, they enter the park and start the search for a particular mountain gorilla family. With the help of experienced guides, travelers will locate the gorilla family. Upon meeting the gorilla family, travelers are given one hour to spend in the presence of the gorilla family before returning to their respective accommodation facilities for lunch.
For those seeking an extended time in the presence of a mountain gorilla family, you may go for a gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. During gorilla habituation, travelers follow a gorilla family that has not been habituated (not used to human beings). They are given 4 hours to spend in the presence of the gorilla family.
How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park?
A gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park costs USD 1500 Per person per day. The permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). It is important to book your Volcanoes National Park Gorilla trekking permit at least 30 days before your arrival.
Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park
A golden monkey tracking adventure in Volcanoes National Park is equally rewarding. The activity is more like mountain gorilla trekking but, here, you are tracking a different species of primates. The activity also starts with the briefing in the morning followed by a walk in the thickets of the park. Gold monkeys in Volcanoes National Park can easily be spotted and it is not as challenging as mountain gorilla trekking. Upon meeting the family, travelers are given one hour to spend in its presence.
Volcanoes National Park also offers an amazing golden monkey habituation experience. It is a gateway to spending more time in the presence of these magical apes. It is an opportunity to learn, monitor, and observe the behaviors of these magical primate species – golden monkeys.
Birding in Volcanoes National Park
For bird lovers, there is no sweeter place to be than Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park is a reliable birding destination. It is a haven for multiple bird species including some of Africa’s most elusive species. On your Volcanoes birding tour, you will encounter birds like the California quail, Abyssinian ground hornbill, marabou stork, bee-eaters, nectar suckers, Hawaiian goose, Ruwenzori turaco, grey-crowned crested crane, hammer cop, go-away bird, to mention but a few.
It is important to note that some of the bird species in Volcanoes National Park are migratory and can thus be seen in particular seasons. Tell us about your birding needs for the best advice.
Community tours in Volcanoes National Park
A trip to Volcanoes National Park is incomplete without a visit to the local communities. The Ibyi’wacu Cultural Village offers an amazing experience. It is an opportunity to dive into the real African customs and traditions. Participate in the harvesting of crops, weaving baskets, and making crafts. The people of Rwanda are hospitable and welcoming, by the time you finish your trip, you will have made friends.
What is the best time to visit Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park is open for tourists any time of the year. It is a perfect place to be whenever you want to. However, the dry season (June to September and December to February) is considered the best time to visit the park. During this period, there is less rain, and gorilla trekking becomes much easier. For those seeking a challenging adventure, the wet season is the best time to take a trip to Volcanoes National Park.
How to access Volcanoes National Park?
The park can be accessed from Kigali International Airport. The airport is connected to major airports in all parts of the world. For example, Turkey, Doha, Manchester, New York, Brussels, and Dubai are connected to Kigali International Airport.
