Volcanoes National Park is the only destination to go for Gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Occupying a total area of 160 square kilometers, Volcanoes is part of the Virunga Conservation area.
It is home to five of the eight Virunga Volcanoes and these include mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Mount Muhabura.
It started as a small area around Mount Karisimbi, Bisoke, and Mikeno volcanoes introduced to protect Mountain Gorillas.
Later in 1929, this conservation area was extended into Rwanda and the Albertine National Park under the management of the Belgian king.
After DR Congo gaining their independence in the early 1960s, the protected area was divided into parts. Rwanda remained with Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park for DR Congo.
In the early 1990s, this Park served as a battlefield for Rwanda’s civil wars and this led to a setback in the tourism activities until 1999.
To boost conservation and tourism in this Park, the Rwanda development board introduced an annual baby naming ceremony for newborn Gorillas.
Apart from Mountain Gorillas, Volcanoes Park is home to the species of Golden Monkeys, 178 species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and various insect species.
Some of the Wildlife sighted on a lucky day include buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, black-fronted duiker, spotted hyenas, and more.
Getting there
Tourists get to Volcanoes by road means. It takes about two hours to drive from Kigali city to Kinigi park headquarters. Other than that you can travel by air travel. Private charters start from Kigali airport to an airstrip in the Musanze district.
Activities to Do in the Park
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is the main reason for most safaris to Volcanoes National Park. The experience grants tourists an opportunity to meet face to face with the Mountain Gorillas in the Jungles.
It starts with a briefing conducted at the Park offices in Kinigi to highlight trekkers all about it takes to trek Gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes is offered to a group of eight tourists per family plus ranger guides and porters.
After locating these apes you are allowed to interact with them for a period of one hour. Later return to the Park offices and transfer back to the lodge.
Golden Monkey Tracking
This is another captivating activity you can do in Volcanoes National Park. You meet Golden monkeys in the bamboo forested areas
It also starts with a briefing in the morning at the Park offices, later the journey starts. Since Golden monkeys are mostly found in the mountainous bamboo forested areas, physical fitness is a must.
Mountain Hiking
If Gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking don’t appeal, Volcanoes is also known for incredible hiking adventures. Tourists who are addicted to hiking enjoy expeditions to the peak of Bisoke or mount Karisimbi.
Another interesting activity is the hike to the graveyard of Dian Fossey, a notable American conservationist who started the campaign towards saving the lives of the Gorillas.
