Overview
The Volcanoes National Park is likely Rwanda’s most popular National Park and has been made famous as the home of families of endangered mountain gorillas and dramatic landscape painting a picture of lush montane forests, glistening lakes, dormant volcanoes, and the magnificent Virunga mountain range. Covering a distance of approximately 60 square miles, this rainforest and bamboo-filled terrain is not to be missed.
The Park is located in the Northwest of Rwanda and offers breathtaking views and thrilling experiences incorporating wildlife, wilderness, and friendly local communities. The National Park is named for the five out of eight dormant volcanoes that create a chain in the Virunga Massif. These are namely: Sabinyo, Gahinga, Muhabura as well and Bisoke which stands out due to its grass and tree-covered crater lake, and the highest of the five, Karismibi at 14800 ft.
The Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is alive with vibrant flora and fauna and incredible wildlife species that include the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and a plethora of birdlife. Experiencing the anticipation and thrill of embarking on a gorilla trek is something that remains with you for a lifetime. Trekking through a montane rainforest, this guided adventure is the key reason visitors to Rwanda will pay a visit to the Volcanoes National Park, proudly a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Landscape and Environment
A breathtaking and dramatic landscape spans over 60 square miles and paints a picture of volcanic peaks and crater lakes set amid green hues sprawled over the montane forest and mountainous terrain. The five volcanoes found in the Virunga mountains include the jagged head of Mount Sabinyo, Mount Karisimbi which is the highest volcano, Mount Bisoke with its spectacular crater lake, and the shortest volcano, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhabura which is the second highest.
Deep valleys rise to meet steep mountain slopes, all culminating in dramatic volcano cones while unique geological features can be seen throughout the park, created by lava flows so many years ago. The thick undergrowth of montane forests on the lower slopes and dense bamboo zones where gorillas reside, stand in contrast to the alpine meadows producing high-altitude plants and wetlands and lakes scattered around.
With elevations that range between 7800 ft above sea level to a height of around 14800 ft, microclimates, and varying eco-zones are present in the Volcanoes National Park. Misty sky and billowing clouds often hug mountain peaks while rainfall cools things outside the direr, winter months. Average temperatures range between 40F and 60F, keeping the surroundings generally cool, proving ideal for visitors embarking on a Rwanda gorilla trek.
Wildlife and Biodiversity
Rich in extraordinary wildlife and notable plant life and teeming with wildlife that introduces visitors to an array of species, the resident favorites surely habituated mountain gorilla families. The diverse and dramatic landscape not only provides a haven and important habitat for mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and various bird species but also offers those who visit a beautiful environment to discover.
As part of the Virunga volcano conservation region, the biodomes that one can see in the Volcanoes National Park include lowland forest, savanna, the forested slopes of the Rwenzori, and volcanic Virunga massifs as well as lakes surrounded by swamps. A diverse landscape means there is a wonderful menu of habitats for the variety of wildlife species found in the Volcanoes National Park.
There are over 300 bird species to be found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and among them, are elusive species such as the Rwenzori Turaco and the Grey-Chested Kakamega. The Park is a true bird lover’s paradise with the destination standing out as a rich biodiverse conservation location in Rwanda. Wildlife species in this popular National Park include golden monkeys, the fascinating black-fronted duiker, buffalos, and the magnificent mountain gorillas.
Culture
Combining a gorilla or golden monkey trekking and a nature exploration with a cultural encounter during your visit to the Volcanoes National Park, provides an all-round, unforgettable experience. Rwanda’s national parks focus on conservation and the inclusion of local communities to sustain these efforts, and visitors to the Park will have a chance to see these practices in action.
Visitors can walk through the Buhanga sacred forest and retrace the steps of Rwandan kings of old who bathed in what was later recognized as the ‘sacred forest’, local communities vowing to preserve the forest for years to come. Visitors can also pay a visit to American primatologist Dian Fossey’s grave, an incredible woman who dedicated time and expertise to the understanding and preservation of endangered mountain gorillas.
The Musanze Caves located on the foothills of the Volcanoes National Park hold geological and geographical intrigue, formed from a volcanic eruption that occurred years ago. Set on the tourism map over a decade ago, visitors to the caves are contributing to local conservation and local communities. Visitors can learn more about the heritage and culture of the local Nyange community as they step inside homesteads and interact with basket and mat weavers and carpenters and learn to cook traditional meals and hear tales of their ancestors and learn about day-to-day life, today.
Gorilla Trekking Experience
With a strong focus on mountain gorilla conservation, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is one of the country’s prime destinations for visitors to the country. The complement of mountain gorillas makes up around one-third of the world’s remaining 1000, and through impressive and strict conservation methods, embarking on a gorilla trekking expedition remains a possible once-in-a-lifetime experience. Maintaining a healthy habitat, keeping the number of gorilla permits available daily to a manageable number, and educating and involving local communities will ensure the preservation of these wonderful primates.
When embarking on a gorilla trek it is important to understand the rules of the trek, how to behave on the trails through the forest and when encountering a mountain gorilla family. Your guide will ensure you have the appropriate clothing on and that you are mentally and physically prepared for your gorilla trekking adventure. Wearing good walking shoes or light hiking boots, ensuring you have a long-sleeved shirt and comfortable long pants, perhaps a pair of gaiters to cover the bottom of your pants. Your gorilla treks will be an intimate experience with professional guides taking a small group of people out on a gorilla trek.
As you head out on your gorilla trek, you will find a path of dusty nature trails that wind through the forest, hiking trails set off in another direction perhaps, all lined with incredible flora and fauna, leading to further adventures. Keep a look out for brilliant birdlife and other wildlife darting through the forest. Before and after your trek, take time to embark on a cultural encounter with local communities that live near the forest.
Other Activities
While gorilla trekking remains the main focus of a visit to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, there are many other thrilling activities and experiences visitors can enjoy. You will have the opportunity to discover the fascinating Golden monkeys on a small-group tracking adventure, and those looking for a more gentle outing can enjoy a slow nature walk in the Park. Birdwatching is very popular and visitors will have the chance to see local gems such as the Narina Trojan, Archer’s Robin-Chat, and the red-chested sunbird.
When you visit Volcanoes National Park, your focus may be on gorilla trekking, however, if walking adventures are something you really enjoy, it is worth considering other hiking trails and adventures in the Park. Hiking is popular in the Volcanoes National Park with a variety of trails throughout the region that vary in difficulty and length. Take in captivating views of the picturesque Virunga mountain range, and glistening lakes and enjoy sightings of smaller wildlife, adding a contrasting thrill to visit.
Combine wildlife and forest terrain with a cultural experience. Pay a visit to the Ibyiwacu cultural village and spend time interacting with local villagers. You will be welcomed into their homestead and offered a traditional meal which you can enjoy while listening to stories of ancestors and see how rich traditions are still carried out and respected today. Gain an understanding of how these communities work with local conservation organizations such as the Rwanda Development Board to keep the environment eco-friendly and help maintain the forest habitat pristine and safe for the mountain gorillas.
Practical Information for Visitors
When planning your Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking adventure, there are a few things to consider which include when to visit, import information regarding rules and regulations, and where to stay during your visit. How to get there and get around during your visit will be pre-planned and any relevant information regarding the destination and communities around it, will be shared with you.
Consider planning your gorilla trek for the drier seasons which usually fall between mid-December to mid-February or during June to September where while there may be light rains, the days are milder and generally dry, indicating that trails are less muddy. Having noted the more ideal times to do your gorilla trekking, it is important to note that gorilla trekking is available year-round, with fewer tourists during the wetter season.
Gorilla trekking permits and Park entrance fees are controlled by the National Parks and pre-booking permits are essential, with pricing currently set at USD1500 per permit. The minimum age of gorilla trekkers is 15 years old and trekking is conducted in small groups of between six and eight guests with visitors spending up to one hour with the gorillas once they are found. The Park is approximately two to three hours away from Kigali and when booking your gorilla trekking package, your accommodation close to the park plus all transport, will be pre-booked and included.
Conclusion
When you embark on a gorilla trekking adventure, you are not only sustaining gorilla tourism in Rwanda but supporting local communities and conservation efforts in the Volcanoes National Park, ensuring the destination remains pristine, alive, and ready for many more visitors to experience its wonder, for years to come. The Park offers a unique combination of adventure, wildlife encounters, and conservation education, making it a gem of a destination within Rwanda.
In essence, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park goes beyond just the destination to go gorilla trekking, it presents a picture postcard scene of vast green hills, thick montane forest, glistening crater lakes, and breathtaking mountain ranges that seem to disappear into a misty sky. Waterfalls, unique flora and fauna, and brilliant and varied wildlife await visitors.
Many guests return from a visit to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park with a bigger understanding of the region’s biodiversity, the importance conservation plays in ensuring nature and its inhabitants are well taken care of, and the real threat to endangered species. Embarking on an adventure in the Park becomes more than just a wildlife adventure, but a cultural discovery and a journey of awareness, both internally and externally.