Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is a national park in northwestern Rwanda. It covers 160 km2 (62 sq mi) of rainforest and encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. It borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. It is home to the mountain gorilla and the golden monkey, and was the base for the primatologist Dian Fossey.

Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s most popular tourist destinations. Situated in the northwest, the park reopened in 1999, it has experienced a growing number of visitors each day, thanks in large part to its role as the world’s most popular mountain gorilla sanctuary. With fewer than 700 of this species left, tourists can catch a rare glimpse of the gorillas as they can nowhere else in the world. Be-yond gorillas, however, the park is also able to offer some of the country’s most spectacular scenery and diverse vegetation. It is part of the Virunga Conservation Area and covers more than 125km2.

The park was first gazetted in 1925, as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Bisoke and Mikeno,  intended to protect the gorillas from poachers. It was the very first National Park to be created in Africa. Subsequently, in 1929, the borders of the park were extended further into Rwanda and into the Belgian Congo, to form the Albert National Park, a huge area of 8090 km2, run by the Belgian colonial authorities who were in charge of both colonies. In 1958, 700 hectares of the park were cleared for a human settlement.

Between 1969 and 1973, 1,050 hectares of the park were cleared to grow pyrethrum. The park later became the base for the American naturalist Dian Fossey to carry out her research into the gorillas. She arrived in 1967 and set up the Karisoke Research Centre between Karisimbi and Visoke. From then on she spent most of her time in the park, and is widely credited with saving the gorillas from extinction by bringing their plight to the attention of the international community.

She was murdered by unknown assailants at her home in 1985, a crime often attributed to the poachers she had spent her life fighting against. Fossey’s life later was portrayed on the big screen in the film Gorillas in the Mist, named after her autobiography. She is buried in the park in a grave close to the research center, and amongst the gorillas which became her life.

The Volcanoes National Park became a battlefield during the Rwandan Civil War, with the park headquarters being attacked in 1992. The research centre was abandoned, and all tourist activities (including visiting the gorillas) were stopped. They did not resume again until 1999 when the area was deemed to be safe and under control. There have been occasional infiltrations by Rwandan rebels from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda in subsequent years, but these are always stopped quickly by the Rwandan army and there is thought to be no threat to tourism in the park.

Buhanga Eco-Park, an ancient woodland containing Rwanda’s most interesting folklore, and Musanze Caves, constructed 62 million years ago after the last estimated volcanic explosion, are both located inside the limits of Volcanoes National Park.

Against this backdrop, tourists can hike through the lush bamboo and Hygenia rainforest, open grassland and swamp of Volcanoes National Park to discover golden monkeys, bush duiker, buffalo and spotted hyenas. You will not have to listen too hard before you hear one of the 178 recorded bird species in the park. Look through the gaps in the dense forest canopy and you will also see the breathtaking peaks of the volcanoes standing tall at over 4,500m.

Made famous as the research base of the late American primatologist Dian Fossey and, subsequently, as the setting for the film Gorillas in the Mist, the park continues to uphold its reputation as a destination for unrivaled wildlife encounters. The edges of Mt. Sabyinyo are also where you will find Fossey’s tomb, as she was buried among the gorillas she grew to love so dearly.

We will take you through this impressive montane ecosystem, where you can witness the sights and sounds of the heart of Africa.

What to do in Volcanoes national park?

Gorilla trekking

Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s safari icon because of Mountain gorilla trekking experience it offers. Volcanoes national park is part of the Virunga massive hosting a number of the only left endangered mountain gorillas in the whole world.

Mountain gorilla trekking is arguably  the best wildlife encounter on the African continent that has enthralled millions of travelers who have got a chance to catch a glimpse of these amazing great apes in their natural habitat.

Volcanoes national park has over 10 fully habituated gorilla families which tourists can visit at any time throughout the year and watch these gentle giants freely and safe.

The Susa group, made famous by the zoologist Dian Fossey and her research activities, is one of the most preferred gorilla groups by visitors. The group now contains 28 members including 3 silverbacks.

Karisimbi gorilla group has 15 members and is usually found on the slopes of the Karisimbi volcano. This is the gorilla family that split from Susa (Susa-A) after a long feud and hence the name Susa-B or more commonly Karisimbi.

The Sabinyo  group has 8 members led by the powerful silverback Guhonda. At 220kgs, Guhonda is perhaps the largest silverback in the park.

The Amahoro gorilla family contains 17 members led by Ubumbwe. The group name means “peaceful” and Ubumbwe the dominant silverback has always demonstrated this quality while leading the group.

Kwitonda has  18 individuals that include two silverbacks, this is a difficult group to track. Led by Kwitonda “humble one in Kinyarwanda”, this group originated from Gorilla groups in Congo.

There are many other gorilla families including the Hirwa family, Ugenda family, Bwenge family, Agasha family to mention but a few that will entertain you on your trek.

The gorilla trekking process in the park is quite interesting because you will get to see a number of attractions including the different bird species, the golden monkeys among other species. In the park, you will get to the Bamboo trees where the gorillas are found, you will get to see the behavior of the gentle giants while in the wild, for instance, their feeding patterns you will see infants suckling the breasts of their mothers for food, you will see them eating the bamboo trees which is quite an exhilarating experience to come in contact with the primates which you will see in an hour you get to spend with the gorillas, photography can also be carried out to keep exciting memories of your experience with the gentle giants

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park is only confirmed after booking a gorilla permit. Contacting us in time will be helpful since the permits are sold on first come first serve basis.

Golden monkey trekking experience

Golden monkeys are species of Old World monkeys found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, including four national parks: Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda; and Virunga and Kahuzi-Biéga, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It is restricted to highland forest, especially near bamboo and Volcanoes national is one of the unique places to go trek these colorful and amazing monkeys.

On your trek, you can encounter a group of over 30 members feeding on bamboo, leaves, fruits and on rare cases insects.

Golden monkeys are listed are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red list due to gradual destruction of their habitat and recent wars in their limited habitat. This makes golden monkey trekking one of the must do while in Volcanoes national park and Africa at large.

Where to Stay

1. Wilderness Bisate Lodge 

Wilderness Bisate enjoys a truly dramatic natural setting at the heart of an amphitheatre formed by eroded volcano cones. Six conically shaped thatched forest villas are tucked into the lush forest setting with spacious verandas opening out onto magnificent views of the surrounding peaks. The traditional shapes of the suites are a nod to Rwandan culture, while the sumptuous interiors maximise comfort and warmth while making the most of the scenic views.

   2. One and Only Gorilla nest

Sitting in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains where primatologist Dian Fossey once worked, the

One & Only Gorilla’s Nest tells an unadulterated story of Rwanda and its mountain gorillas. The hotel is home to just 21 rooms, immersed in nature.

 

 

 

3. Virunga lodge 

Set on a stunning hillside, the magnificent Virunga Lodge boasts panoramic vistas of the Virunga Volcanoes and the beautiful lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. Each of ten luxurious bandas named after the Rwandan lakes features a spacious bedroom with a cosy fireplace, as well as a private terrace with sweeping views of the breathtaking surrounds.

4. Sabinyo Silverback lodge 

The beautiful Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge lies hidden amongst the foothills of the spectacular Virungas (a chain of volcanoes that lie in what is thought to be the heart of the legendary land of King Solomon’s mines). Surrounded by the tropical forests of Rwanda, guests can unwind in their choice of stone cottage or suites, each with a large sitting room, fireplace, stylish ensuite bathroom and private veranda. The stone buildings feature traditional terracotta tile roofs and polished wooden floors.

5. Five Volcanoes Boutique hotel

Located on the road going to Kinigi is the perfect starting point to go for different activities that the Volcanoes National Park.

The hotel also gives you a lot of opportunities to rest and to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere with their 8 Deluxe bedrooms (double/twin), a Family Suite, and the Volcano Manor, a restaurant, a pool, and a beautiful garden.