Volcanoes National Park – Attractions & Activities

Volcanoes National Park is in northwestern Rwanda with lots of trees and mountains. It’s about 160 square kilometers, which is like 62 square miles. Inside this park, there are five big volcanoes: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo. These volcanoes are part of a bigger group called the Virunga Mountains. This park is next to two other parks: Virunga National Park in Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.

A long time ago, in 1925, some people decided to make this area a special place to keep animals safe. They were worried about people coming to hurt the gorillas, so they made it a park. This was the very first national park in Africa! At first, it was only a small area, but later, in 1929, they made it bigger. They called it the Albert National Park and it was huge! It was 8090 square kilometers, which is really big. But later on, some parts of the park were used for people to live in.

Volcanoes National Park is a home for some special animals. One of them is the mountain gorilla. These gorillas are very rare and special. There are not many places where you can see them. This park is one of four places in Africa where you can find them. There’s also a monkey called the golden monkey that lives here. It’s very cute and special too. Dian Fossey, a scientist who studied gorillas, used to work here.

Activities and Attractions in Volcanoes National Park

Tracking Mountain Gorillas:

Volcanoes National Park is one of only four places in Africa where you can do gorilla tracking or trekking. Other parks where you can see them are Virunga in Congo, Mgahinga, and Bwindi in Uganda. In Volcanoes National Park, there are ten groups of gorillas that are used to people and can be tracked. You’ll go with experienced guides to find them. This activity can be tough, so it’s good to be fit. If you need help carrying things, you can hire a porter for $15. Permits to see the gorillas cost $1500. Some of this money goes to the local communities and improving things around the park. You can get permits from the Rwanda Development Board or a tour operator. When tracking gorillas, it’s best to wear long sleeves, trousers, gloves, rain jackets, and hiking shoes.

Tracking Golden Monkeys:

Another popular activity is tracking golden monkeys. This is the second most popular activity after gorilla tracking. You can see these monkeys feeding, grooming, and swinging from bamboo trees. It costs $100 to track them. A group can have about 100 monkeys and is led by a dominant male. Tracking golden monkeys is easier than tracking gorillas because they don’t go to high places. They like to eat bamboo shoots at the bottom of the volcanoes. You don’t need to book permits in advance for golden monkeys, but it’s a good idea to do it early just in case.

Visiting Dian Fossey’s Tomb:

Dian Fossey was a famous primatologist who did a lot to protect mountain gorillas. Because of her work, fewer gorillas were killed by poachers. Without her, gorillas might not be around today. She also taught people new ways to get close to gorillas by imitating their sounds and gaining their trust. Now, many people visit her grave and the place where she used to study gorillas. It’s located between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. The guided hike takes about 3 hours and costs $75. As you hike, you can imagine what it was like for Dian Fossey and see her passion for gorillas.

Hiking Mount Karisimbi Volcano:

Mount Karisimbi is a big volcano that’s no longer active. It’s the fifth highest mountain in Africa. Climbing it is a top thing to do in Musanze. It’s a two-day hike and it’s important to be ready both physically and mentally. The hike goes through thick forests and stops for a rest and overnight at 3700m. The next day, you continue hiking early to reach the summit. From the top, you can see amazing views of Volcanoes National Park, the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Nyiragongo, and all the other volcanoes in the area.

Hiking Mount Bisoke

Mount Bisoke is a big old volcano. It’s in a group of mountains called Virunga. From the main city, Kigali, it takes about 3 hours of driving to get to the bottom of Mount Bisoke. Climbing Mount Bisoke takes just one day, and it’s not as hard as some other mountains in the area, like Karisimbi. But you still need to be quite fit to do it. You have to pay $75 for a permit to hike Mount Bisoke. Everything starts with a meeting at the park headquarters before you start hiking. The roads from the park headquarters to where you start hiking can be tricky. They can be muddy and have lots of rocks. You need a special car called a four-wheel drive to drive on these roads. If you have heavy bags, you can hire someone called a porter at the starting point. It costs about $15.

Gorilla Trekking Permits Volcanoes National Park

If you want to see gorillas in Rwanda, you need a permit. It’s a good idea to get your permit early, maybe three to six months before your trip. Only a few permits are available each day. You need to be at the park’s headquarters in Kinigi town by 7:00 AM. You’ll show your permit there, and then you’ll find out which gorilla group you’ll visit. Only adults who are 15 years old or older can get a permit to see gorillas. If you have teenagers, they can stay at the lodge.

When to Visit Volcanoes National Park

The best time to see gorillas is during two dry seasons: from December to early February and from June to September. It’s less muddy and more enjoyable to hike during these times. But it can be hard to get permits and find places to stay during busy times. So, it’s smart to book everything early. During the rainy months, there aren’t as many visitors, and things are cheaper. But the weather can be unpredictable, so bring a jacket and a rain poncho just in case.

Getting There and Getting Around Volcanoes National Park

If you’re visiting Rwanda, you’ll probably fly into Kigali International Airport. It’s not far from the city of Kigali. Most tour companies will give you a ride from Kigali to Musanze, which is the main spot for gorilla tourism in Rwanda. If you’re traveling by yourself, you can take a public bus from Kigali to Musanze. It’s cheap, less than $5. In Musanze, you can find places to stay and rent a four-wheel-drive car with a driver for $80. You’ll need this car to get to the starting point for gorilla trekking. It’s a bit of a walk between Musanze and the place where you start your trek.