Volcanoes National Park, which is in Rwanda’s remote northwest, guards the rugged slopes of this stunning mountain range, which is home to the critically endangered mountain gorilla and a diverse array of montane ecosystems, including open grasslands, wetlands, heaths, and evergreen and bamboo forests.
The sequence of dormant volcanoes that comprise the Virunga Massif, Karisimbi, the highest at 4,507 metres, Bisoke with its lush crater lake, Sabinyo, Gahinga, and Muhabura is the inspiration behind the name of Volcanoes National Park. One of the genuinely exceptional experiences in the region is tracking endangered mountain gorillas through the enigmatic intimacy of the rain forest, which is alive with the calls of 200 different species of colourful birds and the chattering of the golden monkey.
The Musanze Caves, which were formed 62 million years ago during the last estimated volcanic explosion, and Buhanga Eco-Park, an ancient forest home to some of Rwanda’s most fascinating folklore, are located inside the limits of Volcanoes National Park.
The Karisoke Research Centre, founded by Dian Fossey, assisted in reducing the out-of-control poaching. The majority of the funds that Diane Fossey brought in for the park were allocated to gorilla conservation and study. As a result of her efforts, the park is now linked to her studies on the critically endangered mountain gorillas. Every year, tens of thousands of people go to this region to enjoy the area’s rocky terrain, lakes, rivers, verdant forests, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, birds, and fauna.
Spend a priceless hour with Volcanoes National Park’s renowned mountain gorillas. Brushing each other’s hair and sliding smoothly into the bamboo. The kids, having fun, pulling faces, and flipping over their moms. The music to this once-in-a-lifetime experience is provided by the sounds of various bird calls and other wildlife along the route.
Things to do in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Trekking
One of only three places where visitors can pay to see habituated mountain gorillas in the wild is Volcanoes National Park. The other national parks are Bwindi in Uganda, Mgahinga in Rwanda, and Virunga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Every year, the Volcanoes National Park’s gorilla trekking generates millions of dollars for the nation. Prior to engaging in gorilla tracking, individuals must purchase a gorilla permit from the Rwanda Development Board, which costs $1500, or through their preferred tour operator. Compared to Uganda and the Congo, Rwanda is more expensive overall for a gorilla safari. Because of its superior infrastructure, shorter driving distance, and more manageable terrain, some people believe Rwanda to be the finest destination in Africa to see gorillas, even though permits are more expensive there. In Rwanda, inexpensive gorilla permits are available right now. Putting money aside, before engaging in gorilla tracking, one must be in good physical condition and wear appropriate attire. Waterproof, lightweight hiking boots are essential. For the optimal experience, one also requires long sleeves, long trousers, hand gloves and a raincoat.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Tracking gorillas is currently the most popular activity, with tracking golden monkeys rising in popularity over time. It costs $100 to see the feeding, grooming, and swinging of the endangered monkeys from one bamboo tree to another. A group is often led by a dominant male and can have up to 100 members. You can track golden monkeys either before or after going on a gorilla expedition. Because they don’t go to high altitudes in search of fresh food, tracking golden monkeys is less taxing than tracking gorillas. The bamboo shoots that grow at the foot of volcanoes are their preferred food source. Unlike gorilla permits, golden monkey permits do not require reservations in advance, though it is still advisable to book early.
Dian Fossey Tomb Tour
When visiting Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park for a gorilla vacation, one of the most popular safari activities is the hiking tour to the Dian Fossey Tomb. To reach the Karisoke research camp, trekkers must drive thirty minutes from the park headquarters to the trailhead. From there, they must walk ten minutes to reach the park’s edge. It takes approximately one to one and a half hours to walk from the park’s edge to the research centre, where Dian Fossey is buried. During that time, you may view forest hogs, forest elephants, a variety of monkeys, and bird species. This hiking journey is an amazing intellectual, emotional, and physical experience. Finding out about someone who was so committed and created a legacy that endures to this day is incredibly motivating. The walk demands some degree of patience and fitness because it involves climbing hills and travelling through woodlands. The more serene location is where Dian Fossey was buried close to her best companion, Digit, and roughly twenty other mountain gorillas who were either slain by poachers or died for other causes. The house where Dian Fossey was mystifyingly murdered in 1985 is located at this spot.
Musanze Caves
The 65 million-year-old caverns in Rwanda are located in the volcanic area where the Albertine Rift Valley was formed millions of years ago by lava flow layers. The two km of easy walk in the caves are rewarded with spectacular vistas of bat colonies, unusual rock formations, and lights that cascade from the surface.
Hiking Mount Karisimbi
The extinct volcano Mount Karisimbi rises to a height of roughly 4,507 metres. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Musanze is hiking Mount Karisimbi. Because it is the sixth highest point in Africa, completing the two-day walk will require both physical and mental preparation. The journey passes through dense woodlands before coming to a stop for the first rest break, overnight stay, and first stop at 3700 metres. Then, early in the morning, hikers proceed up the summit and via the final steep portion. Hikers who reach the peak are rewarded with breathtaking views of all the volcanoes in the Virunga region, Mount Nyiragongo, the Rwenzori Mountains, and Volcanoes National Park.