Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) is Rwanda’s top destination, and most popular for gorilla trekking. Volcanoes National Park lies in the Ruhengeri District, Northwestern of Rwanda. The park is about 2-3 hours’ drive away from the heart of Kigali’s capital.
Volcanoes National Park is among the first protected areas to be created on the African continent. It was officially established in 1925 and extends an area of 160 sq. km. The park’s landscape is characterized by lush bamboo forests, tropical forests, and Virunga Volcanoes. Volcanoes National Park lies at an altitude of 2500 and 4500 meters with the highest peak marked by Mt. Karisimbi.
Parc National des Volcans makes up the Virunga Conservation Area, an area that also encompasses Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Virunga National Park. Out of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes in the Virunga Conservation Area, 5 of them are in Volcanoes National Park. The five volcanoes to explore in Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri include Mount Sabyinyo (3669m), Karisimbi (4507m), Gahinga Volcano (3474m), Muhabura (4127m), and Mt. Bisoke (3711m).
Wildlife to see in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda protects different faunal and floral species. The variation in the park’s vegetation is characterized by Bamboo forests, lobelia, meadows, hagenia-hypericum forest, grassland, wetlands, marshes, secondary thickets, and others.
The different wildlife to find in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda include forest elephants, the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, giant forest hogs, and spotted hyenas.
Other wildlife in Volcanoes National Park include black-fronted duikers, forest buffaloes, bush pigs, bush pigs, leopards, and black and white colobus monkeys.
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda also offers refuge to over 200 bird species which include endemic species. The interesting birds that make this park an iconic birding destination include paradise flycatchers, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, Rwenzori batis, long-crested eagles, grauer’s rush warblers, red-faced woodland warblers, Archer’s ground robin, dusky crimsonwing, and collared apalis.
Volcanoes National Park also holds birds such as Kivu ground thrush, blue-spotted wood dove, African goshawk, scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, brown-necked parrot, crested barbet, strange weaver bird, Nirana trogon, and palm nut vulture.
Things to do in and around Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Gorilla trekking.
When it comes to safaris to Volcanoes National Park, mountain gorilla trekking never goes unmentioned. Over 13 habituated gorilla families are all available for gorilla trekking and each is visited by a maximum of 8 guests per day. A normal gorilla trek can last for 2-6 hours and visitors begin the day with a briefing on gorilla trekking guidelines. Visitors are assigned to already habituated gorilla families and a park ranger guide.
Visitors must have a valid gorilla permit to be permitted to engage in a gorilla trek in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park. The cost of one gorilla permit is USD 1500 per person and can be booked through our reservation team.
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkey tracking presents primate enthusiasts with a chance to explore more about golden monkeys. It is a guided trek through the bamboo area as you search for a habituated troop of golden monkeys. The two habituated golden monkey troops in Rwanda exist in the base area of Mount Sabyinyo. Each troop consists of 80-100 members. A single Rwanda Golden Monkey permit is USD 100 per visitor.
Birding
Birding in Volcanoes National Park allows you not only to see your favorite birds but also enjoy the melodious sounds. The park holds a diversity of birds including the Albertine Rift endemic species, migratory and afro-tropical biome species. The check-list of birds to expect to come across on bird watching tour in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda includes the Kivu ground thrush, handsome francolin, Rwenzori turacos, Bronzy sunbird, brown-necked parrot, Scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, grey-headed bush shrike, dusky crimsonwing, and blue-spotted wood dove.
Additional birds to spot include the Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, archer’s ground robin, long-crested eagle, black cuckoos, Nirana trogon, Doherty’s bush shrikes, and Baglafetch weaver bird.
Dian Fossey grave hike
The Dian Fossey tomb hike is a perfect addition to the different activities in Volcanoes National Park. The hike to the Dian Fossey tomb graveyard involves exploring more about the journey of Dian Fossey as a conservationist who devoted herself to protecting mountain gorillas in the Virunga region. Dian fossey grave hike starts at 7:00am with a briefing at Volcanoes National Park headquarters. It takes whole day of hiking along the towering Bisoke volcano.
Volcano hiking
Volcano climbing in Volcanoes National Park is perfect for any adventure seeker on a Rwanda tour. Volcano hikes can be enjoyed on Mt. Visoke/Bisoke, Gahinga, Karisimbi, and Muhabura.
Cultural experience
Visitors interested in experiencing authentic Rwandan cultures and traditions are also sorted. Cultural/community visits at Iby’Iwacu village guarantee you incredible interaction with the local residents also ex-poachers who have now turned to be champions of wildlife conservation in their area.
Musanze cave expedition
Musanze cave tour takes you to explore the Musanze cave, a 2 km long natural cave. The Musanze cave’s history dates back to about 65 million years and is home to many bats, reptiles, and birds. Visitors can access the cave using the natural stairs.
The Twin Lakes tour
The Twin Lakes are among the unique features you should expect to explore on a tour of Volcanoes National Park. Lake Burera and Ruhondo are the Twin Lakes located near Volcanoes National Park. Visitors can enjoy a boat ride on the scenic Twin Lakes before or after engaging in some of the thrilling adventures in Volcanoes National Park.
When to visit Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park has its doors open to holidaymakers at any time of the year. But the dry months are perfect for mountain gorilla trekking, volcano climbing, and other adventures. On your travel calendar, the dry months in Rwanda Volcano National Park fall in December, January, and February then June, July, August to September.
The wet or rainy months begin from March, April, May, October to November. However, these are characterized by heavy rainfall, muddy ground, and dense vegetation growth. Due to the unfavorable conditions that come with them, they are often avoided when it comes to adventures like gorilla trekking or volcano climbing. They are preferred when it comes to birding tours being the period when bird enthusiasts can find migratory birds and the majority of resident birds as they breed.
Where to stay?
Visitors on a tour of Volcanoes National Park have many options of comfortable lodges to choose from for overnight stays. The available lodges and camps range from budget to luxury.
Top accommodation to book for overnight in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda includes Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Muhabura Hotel, Virunga Lodge, One&Only Gorilla Nest, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, and Gorilla Solution Lodge. Other lodges include Bisate Lodge, La Palme Hotel, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
Getting to Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri.
Volcanoes National Park can be accessed by road or air. The park lies in the Northern Province of Rwanda and from Kigali, it is a 2-3 hours’ drive. A 4×4 safari car is ideal for visitors’ road trips to Volcanoes National Park. By air, you can take a flight (helicopter flight) to Ruhengeri Airport and connect to the park by road.