“In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat,” wrote the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey, “are great, old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest – the Virunga”. Volcanoes National Park is known for being home to rare mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range and is commonly known for its enchanting inhabitants – the endangered mountain gorillas.
Visitors from all over the world flock in everyday to trek the jungles of Volcanoes National Park to have a one hour session with these creatures, mountain gorillas, a tourist activity travellers have come to know as gorilla trekking. If you scroll down, you’ll see a number of tailor-made tour packages we organise that have come to be popular among our travellers.
Just outside Volcanoes National Park is the bustling market town of Ruhengeri that has a memorable setting at the base of the Virunga. On the outskirts of town, the natural bridge at Musanze – a solidified lava flow – is a fascinating relic of the volcanic activity that shaped this scenic area. This is another fascination to many travellers.
Also within easy day tour distance of Ruhengeri are the seldom visited but lovely Lakes Burera, Ruhondo and Karago. Ruhengeri offers a good selection of reasonably-priced small hotels and guest houses, including the newly renovated hotel Gorilla’s Nest.
Visitors could also base themselves in Gisenyi or Kigali and – with an early start – head to Volcanoes National Park and Ruhengeri as a day trip.
Animal Species in Volcanoes National Park
Home of the rare mountain gorilla – and the rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath. An exhilarating trek through the cultivated foothills of the Virunga offers stirring views in all directions.
Then, abruptly, the trail enters Volcanoes National Park, immersing trekkers in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colorful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, and littered with fresh spoor of the mountains’ elusive populations of buffalo and elephant. Through gaps in the forest canopy, the magnificent peaks are glimpsed, easily accessible and among the highest in Africa, beckoning an ascent.
Activities in the park
- 3 Days Rwanda Golden Monkeys Tour
- 5 Days Double Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
- 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tour
- 7 Days Best of Rwanda Safari
The volcanoes offers variety of tourists activities
- The unforgettable gorilla trekking,
- Golden monkey tracking,
- bird and butterflies watching
- Visit to the Dian Fossey graves among others.