Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is a prime gorilla destination for tourists in love with naturally beautiful features. Located in Rwanda’s far northwest, the park protects the lives of one of the endangered species of gorillas called the mountain gorillas, five mountains that make up the Virunga ranges, lush green vegetation and small primates like the golden monkeys.
History of the Park
History of Volcanoes National Park.
Records have it that this park premises stretched to D.R. Congo and was under the management of the Belgians. The park during this time was known as Albert National Park named after King Albert I. It is important to note that the park was declared so in 1925 to protect the lives of the endangered mountain gorillas.
In 1960, the park premises were reduced after the country got its independence from the Belgian government.
The 1994 Rwanda genocide affected not only the humans but also the activities that run in this amazing national park came to a standstill.
History of this national park cannot be narrated and the name Dian Fossey is missed out. Dian Fossey lived all her life in the forests of this park researching about these gorillas and advocating for their survival.
The works of conserving the endangered mountain gorillas that were begun by this famous primatologist through her research that started in 1966 highly protected the lives of the mountain gorillas until her life came to an end.
The famous researcher was killed by poachers as she was limiting them from effectively doing their outrageous activities of hunting the mountain gorillas.
The redemption of the country after the long war also restored peace in the park premises. The park also got to be a sanctuary for mountain gorillas and in the year 2005, the ritual of Kwiza-Izina was introduced. This ritual is done annually to name new gorillas and infant gorillas names as a way of showcasing that the lives of the gorillas are being conserved and proof that their numbers keep increasing each year.
Unique features of Volcanoes National Park
This is the only gorilla park that holds an infant naming ceremony for the gorillas. Each year, the park takes part in the Kwiza Izina ritual where all new gorillas are given names on the park premises.
The park boasts of having five mountains out of the eight that make up the Virunga Mountains. This means that while in the park premises, you can enjoy views of Muhabura, Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Karisimbi and Mountain Bisoke.
The park owns diverse rich vegetation that comprises swamps, rainforests, alpine forests, thickets and grasslands among others. Volcanoes National Park boasts having mountain gorillas, and it is among the three unique national parks in the world that harbor the presence of mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Safari Experiences
At Monteero Safaris, our gorilla tour packages are flexible in the sense
that you have a chance to incorporate other wildlife safaris.
Attractions and activities to do in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking
This is the highlight of all activities that are done in the park. The park has 14 gorilla families that are available for gorilla trekking. Tourists intending to trek meet at the park headquarters in Kinigi at 700:am for a briefing about the amazing activity.
They form groups of eight members and hike through shrubs in the forest for 2 to six hours before they get rewarding views from the huge black-haired apes.
Golden monkey tracking
Just like gorilla trekking, tourists can also pay for permits to enjoy views of the gold-furred small monkeys that jump highly among the trees found in the park. The park has only two habituated groups that have a total of eighty members.
Just like trekking gorillas, there are several rules that tourists should follow before engaging in the practice. Usually, it takes tourists between 2 to 6 hours to enjoy the views of the small tree-loving creatures.
Hiking Virunga mountains.
Tourists can enjoy hiking either Mount Bisoke or Mountain Karisimbi. Tourists take about 6 hours of hiking through the scenic trail to the peak of Mountain Bisoke and 2 hours to descend. Experienced hikers can hike in fewer hours. Hiking mountain Karisimbi takes two beautiful days that include an unforgettable night at the peak of the mountain.
Hiking to Dian Fossey grave yard
Tourists get to hike the grave of this famous primatologist who fought tooth and nail for the well-being of the mountain gorillas. Tourists get to pray for her deceased soul and appreciate her conservation works from her research world called Karisoke Research Centre.
Enjoy Musanze caves
Tourists can enjoy the views of the cave while enjoying the tantalizing history of the Rwandese. A tour around the caves can be done in about 2 to 3 hours and appreciate views from bats and other naturally occurring species found in the cave.
Visiting Iby’iwacu community village
This is a community for people who are rehabilitated as they were once upon a time poachers and have repented their sins over time and reverted to engaging in practices that protect the darling lives of the shimmering mountain gorillas. Tourists get to enjoy impressive dances from the local intore dance group in the community and feed together with the community members.
Birding
Birding in this park is mainly done from Musanze village and can be done all year round. The park inhabits over 200 bird species with 17 only found in the Albertine rift. Some of the birds viewed include Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, and Kivu ground thrush among other bird species.
Visiting the twin lakes of Burera and Buhondo
Visitors can pass by these beautiful deep blue lakes that are separated by only a distance of 1km. It is believed that these lakes were anciently formed by the lava of Sabyinyo in the years while it was still erupting.
Nature walks
Get to enjoy scenic walks through the park premises when they choose to slowly move through the park to appreciate the hidden natural beauty of the park. Guided trails to places like the Buhanga sacred forest to Ngezi lake pay off amazingly well for visitors.