Volcanoes National Park
This is an extensive guide to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, which is one of the three habitats for the endangered mountain gorillas located in the Virunga mountains. We have given you information about what you need to know about the park and everything in it, including as wildlife, plants, volcanoes, and Dian Fossey’s tomb. We also provide extensive knowledge on such as how to book gorilla permits, what to wear for gorilla trekking, when to visit Rwanda, and where to stay in Rwanda. A gorilla tour to Volcanoes National Park is a truly life-changing event that rewards visitors with up-close encounters with our wild cousins, the endangered mountain gorillas with whom we share 98% DNA.
Gorilla tracking trips at Volcanoes National Park take visitors to the park’s 12 habituated gorilla groups such as Susa, Amahoro, Sabyinyo, Agashya, Umubano, and Kwitonda, among others. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park is completely an all-year-round activity. The most recommendable time for carrying out gorilla trekking is generally the dry season. The dry season ranges from (June to September). This is because during this period the trails are less slippery thus easy movements and making the trails very accessible. Gorilla trekking can still be carried out with in the wet season. This season runs from (March to May). However, be mindful about the rains and the muddy trails though their are still some advantages. During the wet season, some lodging options tend to offer some discounts on their prices. This is a perfect period for travelers willing to travel on a budget basis.
Gorilla Trekking
About Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park is a stopover point for all Rwanda gorilla safaris, and it is home to the most mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area. The park’s strategic location, approximately two hours from Kigali International Airport, makes it the world’s most accessible gorilla national park.
Aside from gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is home to golden monkeys, a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, among other things that together form a complete safari package. Volcanoes National Park is the apex of Rwanda safaris, with the vast majority of tours beginning or concluding there. Volcanoes National Park, which spans 160 square kilometers in northern Rwanda, is part of the larger Virunga volcano conservation region that also includes Virunga National Park in Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Background of volcanoes national park.
Volcanoes National Park was renamed Albert National Park in 1929 after its extension into Rwanda and the Belgian Congo by Belgian Colonial Authorities. The park was divided as Rwanda and Congo gained their independence in the early 1960s, and by the end of that decade, it had decreased to almost half its size.
After studying mountain gorillas in Congolese woods, American primatologist Dian Fossey fled in 1967 due to insecurity and established her research center at what was then known as the Karisoke Research Center, situated between the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes. She spearheaded the conservation effort for mountain gorillas and coordinated efforts to fight poaching in this area until her assassination in 1985. She was buried next to her favorite gorilla, Digit, at the research center. Even though conservation measures were being made, poaching was still causing the park to suffer. The park was used as a battlefield during Rwanda’s civil war in the early 1990s, which shut down travel until 1999.
Rwanda launched the yearly “Kwita Iziina” infant naming ceremony for baby gorillas in 2005 in an effort to increase conservation and gorilla tours in Volcanoes National Park. This event has had a significant impact on the gorilla population in volcanoes.
Volcanoes National Park
Activities to do in the park include
Gorilla Trekking
One of the most popular activities at Volcanoes National Park is gorilla trekking. Rwanda is one of four national parks where visitors can hike and observe mountain gorillas in their natural environment.
Other national parks in the area include Uganda’s Mgahinga and Bwindi impenetrable national park and Congo’s Virunga Park. There is a 99% chance of seeing mountain gorillas in these parks. With the help of knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, it is possible to track about ten habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda.
Golden monkey Trekking
Golden monkey tracking has gained prominence over the years and is now second only to gorilla tracking. It costs $100 to watch the endangered primates as they eat, groom, and hop from bamboo tree to bamboo tree. About 100 people make up a group, which is typically led by a dominant individual.
Because golden monkeys tend to travel to high altitudes trekking them is less physically demanding compared to gorillas because the former do not trek to high elevations in search of fresh food.
They prefer to consume the bamboo shoots that grow near the volcanoes’ bases. Golden monkey permits can easily be obtained though still we strongly suggest it as a precaution.
Hiking Mt Bisoke
Mount Bisoke is a wonderful volcano to hike due to its presence of the amazing crater lake at the summit. It takes about six hours to complete the hike, including the two hours spent returning. However, a few of the more experienced hikers do the descent in three hours or less. As with every activity, hikers meet at 7 am and are briefed. You can talk about the mountain adventures with your expert ranger guide. Porters can help you with your bags for a little fee, and it is highly recommended that you do so. In addition to giving the porters a job, this lets you take your time and enjoy the walk.
Hike Mt Karisimbi
With a height of 4507 meters above sea level, Mount Karisimbi is the tallest of the Virunga’s and the fifth highest in Africa. It is on the western rift valley, which borders Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its name comes from the Kinyarwanda word “amasimbi,” which means “white shell,” due to the white-capped top caused by accumulated sleet and hail. The Karisimbi hike, which begins in Bisoke and takes two days to complete, is demanding but worthwhile. Birds, various primates, including gorillas on rare occasions, and breathtaking scenery are all possible sights to behold.
Trekking the Dian Fossey Tomb.
You can gain insight into Dian Fossey’s life and the protection of gorillas in the Virunga region by trekking to her burial grounds. You will discover more about her fascination with gorillas and how gorilla tourism developed as a result of gorilla conservation’s persecution throughout the years. For a portion of the route, you will drive to the trailhead, where you will begin your one to two-hour trek. some of the wildlife to see include Elephants, buffaloes, forest hogs, and several bird species and many more. You arrive at the home of Dian Fossey, who was buried next to Digit, her favorite gorilla buddy, after being inexplicably murdered in 1985. About 20 gorillas that were murdered by poaching or natural causes are interred in the gorilla graveyard.
How to obtain Rwanda Gorilla Permits?
To visit gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, you must obtain a gorilla permit. The Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1,500 per person for foreign non-residents. With your gorilla permit, you can spend an hour with gorillas.
The majority of gorilla permits are reserved through local tour operators, who make a deposit and then buy the permits on the traveller’s behalf when the trekking day draws near.
Booking permits at least six months before the trekking date is advised because of the high demand and Rwanda’s stringent gorilla conservation laws, which restrict the number of permits that may be provided each day. Only eight hikers visit each of the ten habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park each day. This indicates that Rwanda only grants 80 gorilla trekking licenses every day.
Permits are obtained easily by booking through the local tour operators, such as Gorilla Safaris Africa. These people have expertise in attaining these permits and also crafting itineraries based on one’s interests.
Why Trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park?
Even though Rwanda has the costly gorilla permit ($1,500) of all of the three-mountain gorilla trekking sites, the nation nevertheless draws the most gorilla hikers in the area. In terms of gorilla trekking, Rwanda has an advantage over its neighbors because of a variety of characteristics.
Good transportation system: Among these is a good transportation system, as shown by the well-paved roads that run from the airport to the park. An additional benefit is that it just takes three hours to drive from the airport to the park.
Top luxury accommodations:Rwanda also has an advantage over Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to its high-quality lodging options, excellent services, and accommodations for all types of tourists. They include luxury, midrange, and budget options.
Safety: Another is the assurance of safety within and near Volcanoes National Park. This makes it one of the to reasons to attract thousands of travelers to trek gorillas here. Finally, the gorilla trekking exercise in Volcanoes National Park is less tenacious compared to other trekking destinations like Bwindi which is very hilly and with dense vegetation.
Kwita Izina (Gorilla-naming ceremony)
The gorilla-naming ceremony which is locally known as Kwita Izina in Kinyarwanda language is an annual event where all the baby gorillas born within the year are given names. The ceremony is inspired by Rwanda’s ancestral baby-naming ceremony that was held after the birth of a newborn. The major aim of naming baby gorillas is to help in monitoring each gorilla in their groups on a daily basis as they roam their habitat.
The introduction of the ceremony also aimed at bringing both local and international attention to the importance of protecting the endangered mountain gorillas. Several high profile individuals from across the globe including celebrities like artists and athletes as well both local and international leaders usually attend this gorilla-naming ceremony in Rwanda. The ceremony takes place in September each year in Volcanoes National Park in northwest Rwanda.
Volcanoes national park located in a small village called Musanze previously well-known as Ruhengeri. The park is very accessible from Gisenyi or Kigali international airport. The drive to Volcanoes national park is just a 2 hrs drive from Kigali implying that you can still do gorilla tracking on the same day. (a 1-day gorilla trek). You will be required to arrive at the headquarters in Kinigi, at the park entrance, by 7:00 am, therefore, if you hope to trek gorillas for one day, you have to wake up very early for your journey so that you are on time
Essential Things to Carry for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
In contrast to other hiking experiences, gorilla trekking is everything but easy. While hiking through the dense tropical jungle, there are several steep and slick trails. Here is a list of items you should bring on your gorilla journey. Long trousers, not jeans, Long-sleeved shirt, Hiking/ Trekking boots, Hardy gloves, Warm socks, A Light weight rain jacket, Insect repellent, Water bottle, A camera with no flash, Cap/ Hat etc.
Whats the best time to do gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park?
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park is completely an all-year-round activity. The most recommendable time for carrying out gorilla trekking is generally the dry season. The dry season ranges from (June to September). This is because during this period the trails are less slippery thus easy movements and making the trails very accessible. Gorilla trekking can still be carried out with in the wet season. This season runs from (March to May). However, be mindful about the rains and the muddy trails though their are still some advantages. During the wet season, some lodging options tend to offer some discounts on their prices. This is a perfect period for travelers willing to travel on a budget basis.
Safari lodges and camps around Volcanoes national park
There are luxury, mid-range, and budget accommodations close to Volcanoes National Park. The majority of places are located in Kinigi, Musanze, and some are up to an hour away from the park headquarters, depending on your interests. Some of the lodgings are listed below. Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Virunga lodge, Sabyinyo silverback lodge, One & Only Gorilla Nest, Ingagi Park View Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco Lodge, Le bambou gorilla lodge, Garden place hotel and many more.