Why visit Volcanoes National Park Rwanda? Volcanoes National Park is an ancient forest holding Rwanda’s most intriguing folklore, where you can be able to visit Musanze caves that have been formed over 62 million years ago after the last erupted volcano. Above all, the most visited destination on Rwanda safaris are the great mountain gorillas that attracts millions of tourists worldwide which can be seen through engaging in Gorilla trekking experience. Other activities to engage in on Rwanda’s Safaris include; Hiking, canoeing, mountain biking and Village experience offer somethings for everyone to enjoy.
In general, Volcanoes National Park is positioned fur northwest of Rwanda and purpose of its existing is to protect the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range home of the critically endangered mountain gorillas and other various wildlife species. However, the park is comprised of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, swamp, open grassland and heath. Moreover, the park was named after the chain of dormant volcanoes making up the Virunga Massif; Of which Karisimbi is the highest measuring at 4,507 meter, Bisoke with its verdant crater lake, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura.
Engaging in trekking endangered mountain gorillas through the mysterious of the bamboo rain forest involves in chances of spotting over 200 bird species and tracking golden monkeys among others.
You can choose to do hiking, canoeing, mountain biking and village experience offer.
Millions of visitors visit Volcanoes National Park because of the incredible tourist attractions and activities to do and see along safari here;
Gorilla trekking –Mountain gorilla trekking –tracking
Volcanoes National Park a home to more than 10 habituated gorilla families available for trekking. All you need is to hold a valid gorilla trekking permits sold at USD1,500 per person per day which can be purchased directly from Rwanda Development Board ‘’RDB’’ or by help of trust worth tour operator.
Gorilla trekking experience; This is an ultimate life time experience done in the think forest through hiking in search of gorillas, the activity starts early in the morning with a briefing and after your guide will lead you to forest trail head look for them, once you allocate them one hour is given to you to observe them as you enjoy picture taking.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Visiting volcanoes national park, never leave without entering this active primates, watch them how they feed, groom and swing from one bamboo tree branches to another.
Visiting the Twin lakes Ruhondo and Burera
Visit the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera by a boat cruise through cruising the deep waters of these two lakes where you will be able to gain with beautiful sights of bird and vast hilly landscape with waterfalls. You also get time to visit the locals around and be able to learn about their amazing heritage and culture that defines them different from other tribes in Rwanda.
Caving
On visit to Volcanoes National Park take time to visit Musanze caves on your Rwanda Safari where you will be led by the guide into these caves while explaining you the history behind this caves.
Bird watching
The park is not only a stopping destination to see unique primates such as great mountain gorillas and golden monkeys but also a good location to encounter beautiful bird species such as Rwenzori double collared sunbird, Handsome francolin, African marsh harrier, Common moorhen, long crested eagle, grey throated tit, Paradise flycatcher, red faced woodland, archer’s ground robin among others.
Wildlife Viewing in Volcanoes National Park
The park grants with amazing opportunity of wildlife viewing where you can be able to view species including; buffaloes, black fronted duiker, forest elephants, white colobus, baboons, red tailed monkeys, bushbucks, bush pigs among others.
What to wear
Travelers are advised to carried useful essentials such as solid walking shoes, sturdy clothing, waterproof rain jacket, water bag proof, enough mineral water bottle among others.
How to get to the Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park can be easily accessed by road within two hours’ drive from Kigali as the main starting journey.
Best time to visit the Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is all year around visited though the best time to enjoy its incredible activities during drier months which starts between June to Mid-September and December to February.
