Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) is Rwanda’s most famous wildlife park and one of Africa’s most important conservation areas. It is located in northwestern Rwanda in the Virunga Mountains, near the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is famous worldwide for mountain gorilla trekking, volcano hiking and rare golden monkey experiences.
Location and Size
- Location near Musanze (the main gateway town)
- About 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali.
- Covers about 160 square kilometers of rainforest, bamboo forests and volcanic slopes.
It is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area which connects:
- Volcanoes National Park ( Rwanda)
- Virunga National Park (DRC)
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park ( Uganda)
History
The Volcanoes National Park was first gazetted in 1925, as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Bisoke and Mikeno Volcanoes intended to protect the gorillas from poaching. It was the very first National Park to be created in Africa.
The work became internationally famous because of the work of:
- Dian Fossey, who studied mountain gorillas here from 1967
- Her research helped the world understand gorilla behaviours and the need for conservation.
The Five Volcanoes
The park protects five of the Virunga Volcanoes:
- Mount Karisimbi – 4507m, the highest peak in Rwanda and offers challenging multi day hikes.
- Mount Bisoke (Visoke) – 3711m, famous for its beautiful crate lake and one of the most popular hiking routes.
- Mount Sabyinyo – known as the ‘Old Man’s Teeth’’ because of its jagged peaks. 3,669m, where Rwanda Uganda and DR. Congo meet.
- Mount Muhabura – 4127m, known for spectacular views and has a crater lake at the summit.
- Mount Gahinga – the smallest of the Virunga volcanoes in Rwanda, 3,474m, covered by bamboo forests and wildlife.
Main Attraction:
- Mountain Gorilla Trekking
This is the park’s biggest attraction. Visitors hike through rainforest and bamboo zones to find habituated mountain gorilla families. Rwanda is one of only three countries where you can see wild mountain gorillas.
What to expect;
- Early morning briefing
- Guided trek with rangers
- Trek can take from a short walk to several hours depending on where gorillas are located.
- Time with gorillas is strictly controlled to protect them.
Gorilla families include groups such as:
- Susa
- Amahoro
- Agashaya
- Kwitonda
- Mishaya
- Isimbi
- Sabinyo
- Umubano
- Kwisanga
- Muhoza
- Karisimbi
- Bwenga
- Hirwa
- Noheli
- Igisha
- Golden Monkey Trekking
The park is also home to the endangered golden monkey, a rare primate found in the Virunga region. visitors can see them jumping through bamboo forest in the Virunga region.
- Hiking and Volcano Climbing
Popular hikes include:
- Mount Bisoke
- Mount Karisimbi summit trek
- Sabyinyo hiking adventure
- Nature walks
- Dian Fossey Tomb Visit
Visitors can hike to:
- Dian Fossey’s former research area her gravesite
- The graves of some famous gorillas she studied
- Bird watching
The park also supports many bird species, including species unique to the Albertine Rift region.
Wildlife
Besides gorillas and golden and monkeys, the park has:
- Forest elephants
- Buffaloes
- Bushbucks
- Duikers
- Hyenas
- Many bird species
Vegetation and Landscape
The park has:
- Bamboo forests
- Montane rainforest
- Alpine vegetation
- Misty volcanic slopes
- Moss-covered forests
The scenery is famous for green mountains covered in clouds and rainforest.
Best Time to Visit
The park can be visited all year, but many travelers prefer:
- June – September (drier season)
- December – February (drier season)
Rain can occur anytime because it is a mountain rainforest.
What to Pack
For gorilla trekking
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Long trouser and long sleeved shirt
- Rain jacket
- Gardening gloves for vegetation
- Camera
- Water
- Small backpack
Why visit Volcanoes National Park?
- Volcanoes National Park is one of the best places in the world to see mountain gorillas.
- Easy access from Kigali
- Beautiful volcanic scenery
- Strong conservation programs
- Unique wildlife and culture
- It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Volcanoes National Park is sometimes considered Rwanda’s crown jewel because it combines rare wildlife, dramatic mountains and conservation history.
