This Rwanda protected area is a home to the endangered mountain gorillas. It’s located in the north western part of Rwanda about 116km that’s about 2 hours’ drive from Kigali Rwanda’s capital and its largest city. The park is known one of the most famous parks not only in the East Africa but also in the whole of Africa; its fame has been raised by the counts of mountain gorillas that it supports. The volcanoes national park is known for being part of the Virunga massif and it supports over 480 remaining mountain gorillas out of about 900 left in the world almost a half of these remaining apes are inhabited in this small African country.
The Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is regarded as the gorilla stop center for the travelers undertaking gorilla safaris in Rwanda. Gorilla tracking is known as the number one tourist activity thought after by very many travelers within and outside Rwanda. The activity involves moving deep into the forest passing through muddy and sometimes steep volcanoes in order to meet our close relative something which makes the activity more interesting. The magical one hour you are allowed to stay with these endangered apes is a memorable one.
Over 80% of travelers to Rwanda visit volcanoes national park for an opportunity to have a close sighting of these rarely seen mountain gorillas which are only seen in their natural habitat. No one is allowed to track/trek these endangered mountain gorillas without a gorilla permit which costs a fee of US$1500 per person per tracking the fee includes the park entry fee and a ranger guide fee. Permits are sold ate the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Offices in Kigali or at the park headquarters in Kinigi.
You can’t talk about mountain gorillas of Rwanda without mentioning the works of Dian Fossey. She was a prominent primatologist that fell in love with these endangered apes, without her, and the continued support by the government, tourism industry and the local people especially those who live near the park, mountain gorillas would be nowhere to be no more. She habituated and studies the behaviors of these mountain gorillas for a period of more than 18 years. However, she was killed by the poachers whom she had made herself very unpopular, she was buried in Karisimbi were she had established her research center near Digit her favorite gorilla. Don’t forget to visit her tomb to get more history about her work and gorillas.
Besides mountain gorillas, the park is a home to the rare golden monkeys; they are known to be living only in the Virunga volcanoes that stretch from Congo to Uganda through Rwanda. They have beautiful magical golden patch on their back that makes them attractive, they are fabulous fan to watch when playing in fruitful trees or in the bamboo forest of volcanoes national park. They are rare species and amazing to encounter when jumping from one tree to another. Travelers on Rwanda gorilla treks have always combined the golden monkey tracking with their gorilla safari package in Rwanda making the gorilla tracking safari more exciting and rewarding.
The park is also a home to the great volcanic mountain with the highest mountain in Rwanda Mount Karisimbi 4,507m found within the park boundaries and it’s among the eight mountains that form the Virunga ridge. Bisoke 3,711m is also primarily located within the volcanoes national park it offers several adventurous activities including hikes with an opportunity to view beautiful views of Ngezi Crater lake. Don’t forget mount Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura which also found in the Volcanoes National park hence a home to five volcanic mountains. All these attractions make the park more rewarding especially to those who love adventure.
For birders, volcanoes national park offers the best sighting opportunities to see various species of birds. Volcanoes national park is a home to over 180 species of birds some of which are Albertine rift endemic, even during gorilla trek, chances of sighting bird species are very high, so those interested in bird watching will be gifted with a double chance. The mixture of the above make the park (Volcanoes National Park) a must visit Rwanda tourism site and its proximity makes access very easy. Come and explore with us Rwanda’s hidden secrets at volcanoes national park.