Things to do in Volcanoes National Park

The Volcanoes National Park has everything for nature and adventure enthusiasts including some of the best Attractions and Things to do in Volcanoes National Park. Eco Adventure Safaris will help you organize an unforgettable safari to Rwanda with a lot to see and do. The is also known as Parc Des Vulcan’s in French and Pariki Yigihugu yibirungu in Kinyarwanda (Local language) which is found in North-Eastern in a small town called Musanze, Rwanda in East Africa. Volcanoes National park is one of the major national parks in Rwanda and East Africa and one of the oldest parks in Africa, it is home to the endangered apes and primates that include the Mountain Gorillas and golden Monkeys, there also many species of birds, Monkeys, trees, forest hogs, bushbucks among others in the forest as well as the unique culture. 

About Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

The park is located in the northern part of Rwanda sharing border with Uganda and Congo, it is part of the Virunga Conservation Area including five extinct volcanoes namely; Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Karisimbi and Mountain Bisoke. The park was gazette by the government of Rwanda to protect the Mountain gorillas which were facing the threat of extinction as a result of poaching, primates and other wildlife that inhabit in the forest. The tropical forest boarders Uganda’s Mgahinga national park and DR Congo’s Virunga National park and these primates have always crossed either sides, this has enhanced conservation efforts from these three countries to protect the endangered Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

Things to do in Volcanoes National Park?

Gorilla trekking

Do you dream of seeing the Mountain gorillas in the Wild up close, the mountain gorillas are the famous attraction in volcanoes national park with gorilla trekking happening every day throughout the year and this is a must do. Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves visiting the habituated endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environment, as you view the way they feed, move, rest and live in harmony. Volcanoes National Park has 10 habituated gorilla families for trekking every day, only 8 visitors per gorilla family are allowed to trek every day. The chances of seeing the mountain gorillas are 99% as you are guided by trackers, guides and park rangers. Gorilla trekking starts every day in Kinigi at 7:00am with briefing on guidelines to follow while on the trek, even though the gorillas have 99% DNA as the humans, they still remain wild and you are advised to follow the dos and don’ts from the guides. The gorilla trek can take 30 minutes to more hours depending on the movement and location of the gorillas in the forest.

For one to be allowed to do gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, you must have a Rwanda gorilla permit for a particular date secured from the Rwanda development board. The gorilla permit costs USD1500 for all nationals and you are allowed one hour of viewing the gorillas and taking photography. Booking a gorilla trek to volcanoes National Park is a life time experience to complete your bucket list, Eco Adventure Safaris will help you book and tailor a gorilla trek tour that is affordable and memorable for your holiday.

Golden Monkey tracking

Golden monkey tracking is one of the experiences to do in Volcanoes National Park. Golden Monkey tracking refers to visiting the rare and very beautiful golden monkeys in their natural environment. Volcanoes national park has two habituated golden monkey communities for trekking every day, these communities have about 80 members each and the number of visitors is not limited. The golden monkey trekking permit costs USD100 for all nationals and can be obtained from Rwanda development board to allow you visit the endangered golden monkeys. The activity starts at the park headquarters at 7:00am with briefing on dos and don’ts by the park wardens and later the park guides and rangers lead you to the forest to find them, you can walk for 30minutes to hours depending on the location and movement of the golden monkeys, once you find them you are allowed to view and stay with them for only one hour and after you return

Visiting Dian Fossey Tomb and Hike

Dain Fossey tomb tour is one the most famous activities done in volcanoes national park by visitors. It is one hour hike to the tomb from Karisoke research camp. The Dian Fossey Memorial hike which is derived from the famous primatologist and Zoologist Dian Fossey from America who spent all her life in the volcanoes protecting the endangered gorillas from extinction and created awareness. She was killed by the alleged poachers and was buried in the park and a memorial was built. She is also famous for participating in the film “gorillas in the mist”. The hike is about 2,500m to 3,000m, this trail leads to the tomb of the late Dian who fought and rescued the endangered mountain gorillas and sensitization on conservation promoted gorilla tourism. Celebrating her charisma, love for the Mountain gorillas, her research and the history makes this experience incredible.

Iby’Iwacu cultural experience

African cultures are very unique and interesting and worth experiencing while you plan to visit Volcanoes National Park. The Rwanda culture is one that is most enjoyable and to Participate in, The locals used to stay in the forest and even participated in poaching of the endangered species, the were later evacuated and organized  into a village, the Iby’Iwacu village is found in volcanoes national park in Nyabigoma, Kinigi, Musanze district, Northern Province of Rwanda. We always tailor trips with cultural experience to volcanoes national park for you to have an incredible time, visiting the Iby’Iwacu people, you will share with local people home and heritage treasures including lifestyles, activities, artifacts, dances and ways of living of local people. Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village showcases the ways of life, traditional practices and dances to Visitors.

Volcano Hiking

For those interested in Mountaineering, You will enjoy this in volcanoes national Park on your holiday you can opt to climb Mountain Bisoke, Mountain, Muhavura, or mountain Sabinyo. They are all volcanic mountains with unique vegetation species, wildlife and paranomic views of the neighboring countries.

How to get to volcanoes national park

For a gorilla trekking adventure to Volcanoes national park, you are required to secure a Rwanda visa at USD30 at Kigali International Airport or any of the boarder points into Rwanda.  The park can be accessed by road and its only 2 hours’ drive from Kigali city and about an hour drive from Cyanika boarder of Uganda and Rwanda. We use 4×4 vehicles for our all-inclusive packages that are very comfortable for your road trip to Volcanoes national park, they come with drinking water onboard, AC and driven by professional driver guides.  For entry into the park, you will need to have secured permit for any of the activity of your choice or paid park entrance fees.

Where to stay in Volcanoes National Park?

There are many lodges and hotels in volcanoes national park ranging from budget to luxury, namely; Bisate lodge, Gorilla Nest and Virunga lodge are luxury options, Sabinyo silverback lodge, five volcanoes lodge, Le bamboo Mountain gorilla lodge are Midrange options to consider, Kinigi guesthouse, Hotel Muhavura and gorilla volcanoes lodge are some of the budget hotels. The hotel rooms can sell out quickly especially during the high season, your accommodation choice needs to booked in advance. You will also be able to get a discount on accommodation when you stay more nights and be treated to a great service while you stay

Why book Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park with Eco Adventure Safaris?

Eco Adventure Safaris offers gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. We combine gorilla trekking safaris with eco-friendly and unforgettable high-end adventure and wildlife safaris that help preserve biodiversity, conserve wildlife and uplift local communities, these include chimpanzee trekking, Big 5 safaris and game viewing, Mountain Hiking, Boat cruises excursions and Cultural encounters to give you a memorable and best African Safari experience including popular and great African safari destinations Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and Namibia. Feel free to contact us.