Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes national park finds its rest within the land of a thousand hills in Northwest Rwanda. The park is also known as Parc National des Volcans in French and Pariki Y'igihugu Y'ibirunga in native Kinyarwanda. The park is no stranger to the world of fame and is of a great conservation value within Rwanda. Rwanda is a country that is gifted with both scenic and spectacular landscapes that are home to a plethora of fauna and flora, including the exceptional and endangered mountain gorillas that are found within Volcanoes national park. These rare mountain gorillas are only found within the Virunga Massif and are shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. Of these three countries, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is by far the best owing to its short distance from the airport that makes it easily accessible in between 2 to 3 hours. This has earned Rwanda the home of gorillas in the mist. The trekking experience through the park brings one so close to nature with the calls of birds, monkeys, and vegetation. The park is an evergreen bamboo forest, grassland, swamp, and heath. The mountain gorillas - very massive but peaceful creatures go about their daily lives of eating, playing, grooming, and resting. Trekking mountain gorillas in this park is an unforgettable experience.Due to the altitude it is generally cold, especially during the evenings. Gorilla viewing is possible all the year round.

Volcanoes national park is 160 square kilometres and is home to a population of over 400 mountain gorillas. Part of the virunga conservation area, the park is part of the Virunga mountains which has different volcanoes like Bisoke, Karisimbi, Muhabura, Sabyinyo and gahinga, all of which are extinct. There are 8 volcanoes but these mentioned five are found within volcanoes national park. These grandeurs make a safari to the area more scenic and spectacular. The ecosystem in the area is majorly decorated by four vegetation zones. These include: Bamboo, afro-alpine, sub-alpine and forest. All these vegeation zones occur at different altitudes which forms a spectacle within the area. Gorillas spend most of their time in the bamboo zone and the forest which forms part of the hagenia woodlands.

Diana Fossey

These gigantic primates were the subject of the late Dian Fossey who dedicated her life to their protection and conservation. Her detailed work seen in the international acclaimed film â€œGorillas in the Mist,â€ which was filmed in Rwandaâ€™s Volcanoes National Park. The park was Dian Fosseyâ€™s base a long time ago (She died on the 26th of December 1985) where she carried out research amidst unsecure environment. It was at the Karisoke Research Center that she carried out her study on mountain gorillas for 18 years and as a result of that study, we are currently able to have gorilla tourism which contributes directly to conservation.

Gorilla families in Volcanoes national park

There are currently 10 gorilla families available for tourists with eight tourists allowed per group per day. The permits are booked prior to tracking the mountain gorillas. Amahoro, which means peaceful, is led by the calm and easy going Ubumwe. One has to endure a steep climb before reaching this group; however, the climb is worth it once in contact with this tranquil group to reach Amahoro. Hirwa group emerged recently from different existing families, namely from Group 13 and Sabyinyo. Eventually more gorillas joined. Silverback Guhonda leads Sabyinyo group. The members within this family are generally fewer but is an impressive family. The group is easily accessible from the starting point. Hirwa group had previously crossed to Uganda in the August of 2019, this flexibility in movement being provided by the lack of borders within the forests. However, the group returned to Rwanda in the April of 2020 but with only 11 members of the 17 that had crossed to Uganda. This is because the other members were struck by lightning which resulted into their deaths. Kwitonda which means 'humble one' is an 18-member group led by Silverback Kwitonda. This group migrated from DR Congo; it tends to range far making it a moderately difficult trek. Group 13 when first habituated this group had only 13 members hence its name. With a membership of approximately 25 members currently, the increase in numbers is positive for gorilla conservation. Umubano were originally Amahoro members but broke off after the dominant silverback was challenged by Charles, now the leader of Umubanoa family of 11. Charles stole some females from the existing group in order to form his own family. Susa is the largest group with 41 gorillas. The group is well known for having rare 5 year old twins named Byishimo and Impano. This family ranges in the high mountains making it difficult to trek but once you get there you are rewarded with a large family and of course the views along the way.

Wildlife in Volcanoes national park

Animals of Volcanoes national park

The most famous in the park are the mountain gorillas that in many ways have put volcanoes national park on the world map. But besides the mountain gorillas, the park also hosts the strikingly beautiful golden monkeys, which are rare and endangered. Other animals include Forest elephants, buffalos, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, duikers, spotted hyenas, bushbucks and several primates.

Birds of Volcanoes national park

For bird enthusiasts, Volcanoes national park an Important Bird Area which is home to over 200 bird species, 12 of which are endemics. Birding is the next best thing to do in this park after mountain gorilla tracking. There are at least 16 Albertine Rift endemic are present, including Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori double collared Sunbird, strange weaver, dusky crimson-wing, collared Apalis, red-faced woodland warbler and Archerâ€™s ground robin.

Activities to do in Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes national park

Gorilla tracking is the number one activity and most popular tour in Volcanoes national park Rwanda. A number of 10 families are habituated for tourism within the park. Each of these gorilla families can be tracked everyday within the forests by a maximum of 8 visitors visiting a gorilla group. The trekking starts with Gorilla tracking registration and briefing about the trekking rules at the park headquarters (Rwanda development board (RDB) offices) at Kinigi in Musanze district early in the morning at 7am. After briefing about the expectations and gorilla trekking precautions, the visitors are then distributed among the gorilla groups. Each group is assigned rangers and then you head into the forest. Gorilla tracking can be physically demanding and your trek can take anything from one hour to 8 hours through thick jungles depending upon the gorilla's movements and the location of the group that you are tracking. Once in sight of the group, you will be able to stay in the presence of these phenomenal mountain gorillas for only one hour, a time during which you will take photos and see them play, eat and groom each other. Remember the details shared in the briefing and endeavor to follow them for your own safety and that of the gorillas. In Rwanda, a gorilla tracking permit goes for 1500 USD, though more expensive than other destinations ($600 in Uganda and $400 in DRC) but this means more money goes into conservation efforts and benefit of the local population.

Bird watching in Volcanoesnational park

Volcanoes national park is birding destination in Rwanda with the rare Albertine rift endemics. Arrive ready to capture some of the spectacular birds in this location.

Golden Monkeys Tracking

Golden monkey trekking takes place in Volcanoes national park once a day just like gorilla tracking. You arrive at the tracking venue at 7am for briefing. The park currently has two habituated troops that are open for visiting. The total number of individuals from both is 80. They live mostly in the bamboo vegetation and unlike the gorillas, they are active, which is quite interesting but makes it difficult to photograph.

Trekking the Dian Fossey Tomb Trail

Trekking to the Dian Fossey Tomb is one of the most sought after activities on a Rwanda safari and it involves visiting the famous American Primatologist, Dian Fossey graveyard who dedicated almost 20 years of her life to studying and protecting mountain gorillas. From the park headquarters , you will then drive for about 30 minutes to the trail head, in order to access the Karisoke research camp. From Karisoke, it takes around 10 minutes to reach the park boundary, from which it takes a further estimated 1 to 2 hours to reach the research centre where Dian Fossey's tomb is. At the site, you will find the house from where the legendary Dian Fossey was mysteriously murdered in 1985. She was buried just next to her favorite gorilla friend, Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas who were either killed by poachers or just died reasons. During the trek, you will encounter a variety of bird species, forest elephants, forest hogs among others.