Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park - Rwanda Gorilla Safaris

Volcanoes National Park is located in northwestern Rwanda, covering 160 km² of rain forest, and encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo. It borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The park was the first national park established in Africa, founded in 1925 to protect its famous mountain gorillas from poachers. In 1929, the borders were extended further into Rwanda and into the Belgian Congo to form the Albert National Park, an area of 8,090 km², run by the Belgian colonial authorities.

In 1967, American primatologist Dr. Dian Fossey established the Karisoke Research Center between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke to study mountain gorillas. Her relentless conservation work brought the critically endangered Mountain Gorilla to the world stage and directly contributed to their survival today. Dian Fossey was buried next to her favourite silverback, Digit, after her murder in 1985. The park became a battlefield during the Rwandan Civil War, with the park headquarters attacked in 1992. All tourist activities were stopped and did not resume until 1999.

Hiking the Volcanoes

Hike either Mountain Bisoke or Karisimbi as discover a plethora of attractions like the crater at the top.

Gorilla Trekking

Enjoy gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national Park as you spend the magical encounter in presence of these gentle giants.

Golden Monkey Trekking

Spend the one hour viewing the golden monkeys , view them as well as you learn about them.

Geography & Landscape

Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of a magnificent mountain range home to the endangered mountain gorilla and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp, and heath.

The landscape consists of five volcanic peaks within Rwanda’s borders: Karisimbi (4,507 metres), Bisoke (3,711 metres), Sabyinyo (3,669 metres), Gahinga (3,474 metres), and Muhabura (4,127 metres). The volcanic soils in this area are rich in nutrients, contributing to the park’s dense vegetation and vibrant biodiversity.

The park’s elevation ranges from 2,400 to 4,507 metres above sea level, creating distinct vegetation zones. Lower slopes feature bamboo forests where golden monkeys thrive, while higher elevations transition into hagenia-hypericum forests and alpine meadows.

Wildlife & Biodiversity

While renowned globally for the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas, the park offers a rich tapestry of endemic wildlife unique to the Albertine Rift, including golden monkeys, spotted hyena, buffalo, and forest elephants. The park is home to over 200 bird species, including 29 endemic to the Rwenzori mountains and the Virunga region.

The golden monkey is a subspecies of Sykes’ monkey, now confined to the Virunga mountains, inhabiting bamboo forests below 3,000 m. These lively creatures are usually seen scampering from branch to branch; two troops are habituated.

The park is home to ten gorilla families including the Susa, Amahoro, Sabyinyo, Ugenda, Hirwa, Umubano, Karisimbi, Agashya, Kwitonda, and Bwenge families, with silverbacks as the dominant adults providing protection, settling disputes, and determining feeding patterns.

Guided Nature Walk

Nature walks offer a remarkable opportunity for tourists to immerse themselves deep into the forest to explore the hidden habitats in Volcanoes National Park. Rate: A guided nature walks costs $55 for foreigners, $40 for foreign residents, $35 for Rwandan/EAC citizens, and $45 for EAC foreign residents.

Summary of Activity Rates (Foreign Non-Residents)

Activity	Foreign Non-Resident
Gorilla Trekking	$1,500
Golden Monkey Tracking	$100
Mount Bisoke Hike	$75
Mount Gahinga Hike	$75
Dian Fossey Tomb Hike	$75
Mount Muhabura Hike	$100
Muhabura + Gahinga Combined	$200
Mount Karisimbi Hike (2 days)	$400
Multiple Volcanoes Hike	$1,500
Guided Nature Walk	$55
Musanze Caves	$50
Buhanga Eco-Park (Day)	$40
Buhanga Eco-Park (Overnight)	$60
Camping per night	$30

Note: Rates are lower for Foreign Residents, EAC citizens, and Rwandan nationals. All permits are booked through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or a registered tour operator.

Activities in Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla Trekking

This is the flagship activity of the park. Gorilla trekking experiences begin at 7:00 AM with a briefing at park headquarters. Trek duration varies from 1–6 hours depending on the gorilla family’s location, through steep, sometimes muddy terrain at 2,500–3,500 m altitude. Porters are available to help carry packs and provide assistance. Only a maximum of 8 permits per gorilla group are sold each day to ensure the gorillas are not overwhelmed by human presence.

Rate: Gorilla trekking permits cost $1,500 per person, covering the park entrance fees, gorilla conservation fee, and park ranger guide service. Low season discounts (November–May) reduce permits to $1,050 when combined with 2 nights in Nyungwe or Akagera National Park a 30% saving.

Golden Monkey Tracking

Golden monkey trekking takes place once a day in the early morning. Visitors are expected to arrive at park headquarters as early as 7 AM for briefing about how to behave with these creatures in the wild.

Rate: Golden monkey tracking costs $100 for foreign non-residents, $80 for EAC foreign residents, and $65 for foreign residents and East African/Rwandan citizens.

Mount Bisoke Hike

The Bisoke trek is doable for any moderately fit person and takes 6 hours to ascend and descend its slopes. Mount Bisoke is famous for its beautifully formed crater lake at its summit.

Rate: The Bisoke hike costs $75 for foreigners, $60 for foreign residents, $55 for Rwandan and East African citizens, and $65 for EAC foreign residents.

Mount Karisimbi Hike

Mount Karisimbi is the highest of the Virunga volcanoes at 4,507 m above sea level. The hike is strenuous but rewarding, taking two days for the total journey starting through Bisoke. Hikers have chances of sighting birds, several primates including gorillas on rare occasions, and remarkable scenery.

Rate: The Karisimbi hike permit costs $400 for foreigners, $250 for foreign residents, $200 for Rwandan/EAC citizens, and $300 for EAC foreign residents.

Mount Muhabura Hike

Mount Muhabura offers 360-degree summit views from its peak of 4,127 m.

Rate: The Muhabura hike permit is $100 for foreigners, $75 for foreign residents, $60 for Rwandan/EAC citizens, and $80 for EAC foreign residents.

How Many Days to Explore Volcanoes National Park?

Here is a recommended itinerary breakdown depending on how many activities you want to do:

Minimum (2–3 Days) A focused visit covering gorilla trekking (Day 1), golden monkey tracking (Day 2 morning), and a Dian Fossey hike or Musanze Caves visit (Day 2 afternoon). This is the most common itinerary for time-constrained travellers.

Moderate (4–5 Days) Adds the Bisoke hike or Muhabura hike, a cultural village experience, birdwatching, and a Buhanga Eco-Park visit.

Comprehensive (6–8 Days) Covers all major activities including the two-day Karisimbi hike, multiple volcano hikes, second gorilla trek (requires a separate permit), Twin Lakes (Burera and Ruhondo) excursion, and full cultural immersion.

It is important to stay at least one night within the Volcanoes National Park area before your actual trekking day, as this helps you get acclimatised to the high altitude of the park. Volcanoes National Park is accessible for day trips from Kigali (a 2.5-hour drive), though most visitors stay overnight near the park to be ready for the early 7:00 AM gorilla trekking start time.

Mount Gahinga Hike

Mount Gahinga’s 10 km trek (ascent and descent) is the shortest and easiest of all the volcano hikes. The trek starts from the Gatabi parking area and takes 5–6 hours round trip.

Rate: The Gahinga hike permit costs $75 for foreigners, $60 for foreign residents, $55 for Rwandan/EAC citizens, and $65 for EAC foreign residents.

Muhabura–Gahinga Combined Hike

Rate: Hiking both volcanoes together costs $200 for foreign non-residents, $160 for foreign residents, $130 for Rwandan and EAC citizens, and $165 for EAC foreign residents.

Dian Fossey Tomb Hike

The hike to the Dian Fossey tomb takes about 5–7 hours from park headquarters. Along the way, visitors can encounter wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, forest hogs, and several bird species. The Karisoke Research Center is a gorilla graveyard with about 20 gorillas buried there, killed either by poachers or natural causes.

Rate: The Dian Fossey hike permit costs $75 for foreigners, $60 for foreign residents, $55 for Rwandan/EAC citizens, and $65 for EAC foreign residents.