Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern region of Rwanda, a beautiful and unique destination for the Mountain Gorillas. This eco-friendly conservation area that draws visitors from around the world, to come witness Mountain Gorillas. The park gets its name after the chain of dormant volcanoes that dominate its landscape and is home to the critically endangered mountain gorillas. This makes it one of the most important conservation areas in Africa. This essay will explore the highlights and attractions of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
The park covers an area of approximately 160 square kilometers of green land with forests. These volcanoes include Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Nyiragongo. These volcanoes are part of the Virunga Mountains, a chain of volcanic mountains that runs along the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Virunga Mountains are home to more than half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas, and Volcanoes National Park is one of the best places in the world to see them.
Trekking Gorillas
Gorilla trekking is an incredible and unforgettable experience that requires visitors to hike through thick jungle in search of the gorilla family they have been assigned to track. Once visitors reach the gorillas, they are allowed to spend an hour observing and interacting with them from a safe distance, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will be cherished forever.
In addition to gorilla trekking, Volcanoes National Park offers other exciting activities such as hiking and volcano climbing. Visitors can embark on guided hikes up these mountains, which range from relatively easy to extremely challenging, depending on the mountain chosen. Hiking up these mountains provides visitors with stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including beautiful valleys, forests, and lakes.
How many gorillas are in Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda is home to 340 of the earth’s 780 Mountain Gorillas remaining in the wild. Volcanoes National Park is a rich ecosystem, a habitat with vibrant and unique mammal species. Mountain gorillas and Golden monkeys are most recognized than other wildlife species because the Virunga volcanoes region is their only habitat on earth.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Set out in search of magical encounters with the ten families of mountain gorilla that makes the Virunga Mountains their home. Explore this scenic landscape, where Dian Fossey carried out her ground-breaking gorilla research, traversing slopes covered with rainforest and bamboo. Home to no less than five volcanoes, you will delve deep into the park’s dense, misty forests, accompanied by an expert ranger. It typically takes between two and five hours to locate your allocated gorilla family and you will then have the opportunity to spend some time quietly observing these charismatic creatures.
A wildlife experience with the magnificent mountain gorilla is like no other. Savor every second as you watch them foraging, playing, teasing each other, eating or slumbering in an uncanny resemblance to ourselves. At times the trek to view them may be arduous, with steep rises covered in dense vegetation.
Inhabiting areas which are not easily reachable, gorillas reside where there is an abundance of food plants near the ground and think nothing of climbing incredibly lofty hills to get to them. Your formidable trek will be richly rewarded when you first set eyes on these extraordinary creatures. Try to spend as much time as possible in this phenomenal part of Rwanda, as it is a very special place.
How do I get to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda?
The closest airport to Volcanoes National Park is Kigali International Airport (KGL), located just outside the Rwandan capital. From there, it takes roughly three hours to drive the 70 miles to Musanze, the national park’s closest village.
Another must-see attraction in the park is the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International’s Karisoke Research Center. The center was founded by American primatologist Dian Fossey, who spent over 20 years studying mountain gorillas in the park before her tragic murder in 1985. The center provides visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the work being done to protect the mountain gorillas and their habitat.
Visitors to Volcanoes National Park can also learn about the local culture by visiting the nearby villages and interacting with the local people. The villages are home to the Batwa pygmies, who were the original inhabitants of the forest and were displaced when the park was established. Visitors can learn about their traditional way of life, including hunting and gathering, music, and dance.
Attractions in Volcanoes National Park
A visit to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
Although gorilla trekking is the dominant activity in the volcanoes national park, there are several other incredible activities to choose from for potential visitors. Visitors may be spoiled for choice and wish they had more time to complete all the activities in the Volcanoes National Park. The major attractions include gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, visiting the grave of Dian Fossey, mountain hiking, touring the lakes Ruhondo and Burera. Let’s look at the activities in more detail.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
The Volcanoes National Park is one of the 4 national parks where mountain gorillas can be sighted. The others are Virunga in Congo, Mgahinga and Bwindi in Uganda. There is a high chance of seeing gorillas in Mgahinga. 10 habituated Rwanda gorilla groups are available for tracking under the guidance of experienced and motivated rangers.
A safari in the Volcanoes National Park. It is important to be in good shape before embarking on an activity that can prove demanding depending on the gorilla group you are assigned. Trackers can hire the services of a porter to help with extra luggage at a cost of about $15
A gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1500 with part of it going to the local communities and park’s infrastructural developments. The Permits can be obtained directly from the Rwanda Development Board or more conveniently through the services of a tour operator. The dress code during gorilla trekking consists of long sleeve shirts and trousers, hand gloves, rain jackets and hiking shoes.
Tracking Golden monkeys
Tracking golden monkeys has gained popularity over the years and is now second only to watching the gorillas. Spotting the endangered monkeys feed, groom and swing from one bamboo tree to another costs $100. A group can consist of nearly 100 individuals and is usually led by a dominant male. One can do Golden Monkey tracking before or after gorilla trekking.
Tracking Golden Monkeys is less strenuous than Gorilla trekking. This is simply because they don’t go to high altitudes in search of fresh food like the gorillas. They prefer to feed on the Bamboo shoots that grow at the base of the volcanoes. Golden monkey permits don’t need to be booked in advance like that of the gorillas but we recommended early booking just in case.
Visiting the Tomb of Dian Fossey
Dian Fossey is one of the greatest primatologists of all time. Because of her courage and determination, there was reduction in poaching of animals particularly mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Without her efforts, mountain gorillas would probably be extinct by now. She is also credited for introducing new ways of making gorillas comfortable around human presence by imitating their sounds and gaining the acceptance/trust of the dominant male.
Today hundreds of visitors go to pay homage to this great conservationist by visiting her grave. Same applies to the former Karisoke Research Center located between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. The guided hike lasts about 3 hours and costs $75. As one climbs the volcanoes to her former base, they will get to experience what she had to go through, her determination and the passion she had for the gorillas.
Hiking Mount Karisimbi Volcano
Mount Karisimbi is an extinct Volcano that reaches a height of about 4,507m. Hiking Mount Karisimbi is one of the top tourist attractions in Musanze. It’s the fifth highest in Africa, thus requires mental and physical preparation in order to ensure the 2 day hike. The hike involves navigating through thick forests before stopping at an altitude of 3700m for the first stop. Hikers than continue hiking the last steep section early in the morning and up to the top of the summit. The summit rewards hikers with great views of the Volcanoes National Park, the whitened snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Nyiragongo as well as all the volcanoes within the Virunga region.
Mount Bisoke Hike
Mount Bisoke is an extinct Vocano that forms part of the wider Virunga range of Mountains. It takes 3 hours of driving to reach the foot of the mountain from the capital Kigali. Hiking mount Bisoke takes one day and is relatively easier as you compare to Karisimbi. However, hikers still have to be reasonably fit to complete the activity.
The hiking permit costs $75 and like all activities in the park, everything starts with briefing at the park headquarters. The roads from the park headquarters to the head trail can be muddy with stones and requires a four wheel drive car. For those with heavy luggage, porters are available for hire at a cost of about $15 at the starting point.
Mount Muhabura Hike
Mount Muhabura is one of the most interesting and adventurous volcanoes to climb while visiting the Volcanoes National Park. At 4,127m, it is the third highest mountain within the Virunga ranges. The hike starts at a height of 1200m and by the time one reaches the summit, they would have passed through beautiful green forests and marveled at the other volcanoes within the wider Virunga region.
Visiting the Twin Lakes Ruhondo and Burera
After carrying out gorilla trekking, one way to relax is to visit the twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera. A boat cruise through the deep waters of these two lakes will reward you with beautiful sights of birds and the vast hilly landscape with waterfalls. Visiting the lake islands gives you time to mingle with the locals to learn about their rich heritage and culture. Their rich culture defines them and makes them different from the other tribes in Rwanda.
Conservation is a central focus of the park, and its management works hard to protect its unique ecosystem and its inhabitants. The park’s efforts have resulted in a significant increase in the mountain gorilla population, as well as the restoration of critical habitats. The park is also home to other rare and endangered species, such as the golden monkey and the buffalo.
In conclusion,
Volcanoes National Park is a fascinating destination that offers visitors the opportunity to experience the wonder of the natural world. The park’s unique ecosystem, breathtaking landscape, and conservation efforts make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Rwanda. From gorilla trekking to volcano climbing, the park offers a range of exciting and unforgettable activities. Volcanoes National Park is a true gem of Rwanda and a testament to the beauty and diversity of nature.