Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Gorilla Trekking, Nature Walks, Birding, Community, Culture & People

Found in the northwestern border of the tiny country, Volcanoes national park Rwanda is famously known for being the home of Mountain Gorillas in the world. This gorilla park in Rwanda is beyond the mountain gorilla trekking, the volcanoes national park has many tourism potentials, it host rare and endangered golden monkeys, forest buffaloes and a lots of bird life including the localized Albertine rift Endemics. Besides gorilla safaris and  golden monkey trekking tours , its most volcanic stand make it more interesting for travelers who are having interest to hike up to the top to see crater lake at  Biskoe as they enjoy good views of Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Spanning on a 160 Sq km area in the northern part of Rwanda, Volcanoes national park Rwanda is the oldest national park in Africa. It was initially a small area around Karisimbi, Mikeno and Bisoke. Volcanoes park which was gazetted to protect the Mountain gorillas that were facing the threat of extinction as a result of poaching.

History of Volcanoes national park Rwanda.

In 1929, the park was extended into Rwanda and the then Belgian Congo and was named Albert national park managed and run by the Belgian Colonial Authorities. During early 1960’s, the park was divided as Rwanda and Congo gained their independence and by the end of that decade, the park was almost half of its original size.

In 1967, the American zoologist Dian Fossey who had been doing research on mountain Gorillas in the forests of Congo fled from insecurity and established her research base at a place between Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes that was yet to be known as Karisoke research center. She spearheaded the conservation campaign of the mountain gorillas and mobilized resources to fight against poaching in this area, a fight she put up until her murder in 1985. She was buried at the research center next to the grave of her favorite gorilla called Digit.

The park continued to suffer at the mercies of poachers though conservation efforts were also under way. In early 1990’s, the park became a battle field for the Rwanda’s civil war which paralyzed tourism activities until 1999. In 2005, in a bid to boost conservation and gorilla tours in Volcanoes national park , Rwanda introduced the annual baby naming ceremony for baby gorillas known as ‘Kwita Iziina’ which has seen great results in as far as gorilla population in volcanoes is concerned.

Activities in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Gorilla Trekking

Trekking the mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes is a magical experience. Take a Hike through mountain forests to experience these gentle creatures or make your way through airly bamboo forests to find the charming Golden Monkey.

Cost of Gorilla Permits in Volcanoes National Park (Per person):

• Mountain Gorilla Trekking permit cost: $1500, for foreigner non resident in Rwanda
• Dian Fossey Hike: $75
• Golden Monkey Trekking: $100
• Mount Bisoke Hike: $75

Permits should be booked at least 3 to 6 months in advance, especially during Rwanda’s high season of June – September.

Dian Fossey Tomb Tour

Hiking tour to Dian Fossey Tomb is one of the most sought after safari activities carried out while visiting Volcanoes national park Rwanda for a gorilla trip. The trek involves a 30 minutes drive from the park headquarters to the trail head to access the Karisoke research camp where visitors walk for 10 minutes to the park boundary. The walk from the park boundary to the research center where the Dian fossey’s grave is, takes about an hour to 1 hour and a half hours and offers opportunities to see forest hogs, forest elephants, a variety of primates and bird species.

This hiking tour is an incredible experience physically, emotionally and intellectually. It is so inspiring to learn about someone who was so dedicated and left a legacy that exists even today. The hike involves moving through the forests and hiking up the slopes and therefore requires some relative degree of fitness and patience.

At the site you will find the house from where Dian Fossey was mysteriously murdered in 1985, but the more peaceful is the place where she was buried just next to her favorite gorilla friend, Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas either killed by poachers or suffered death for other reasons.

Golden Monkey Trekking

Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda takes place in Volcanoes national park and at the same time 7:00 just like gorillas. These rare species are also listed as endangered – and Volcanoes national park currently has two habituated golden monkey troops that are available for visiting by tourists in the park, both of which make about 80 members.

Golden monkeys in Volcanoes national park Rwanda live in the bamboo vegetation towards the base of the mountain and habituation has helped them to overcome their initial shyness to accept their daily visit by researchers and tourists. Trekking golden monkey and gorillas is a similar experience – in a small group of no more than eight people, and you can spend one hour with the monkeys once you find them.

They are very active creatures, and jump from tree to tree which is really interesting and a little difficult to photograph! The golden monkey trek is worth going for while in Volcanoes National Park and if you’re interested in wildlife, this is a rare and delightful experience not to be missed!

Nature Walk to the Twin Lakes of Burera & Ruhondo

The twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo were named so because they are situated in the same areas and their physical connection. They are located with in Musanze district a walk away from the Volcanoes national park. The guided nature walk to these lakes offer tourists a beautiful view of landscape, wetland habitat, and water birds.

Musanze Caves

Rwanda’s caves date back 65 million years and lie withing the volcanic region where lava flow layers long ago created the Albertine Rift Valley. The caves offer easy hiking 2 kilometers in distance and have brilliant views of cascading lights from the surface, unique rock formations, and a colony of bats.

Buhanga Eco-park

Despite its small size, this serene forest packs a great deal of biological and cultural significance. Meditative trails cross through towering trees home to a variety of bird and butterfly species. The location is built on an ancient sacred site that was used for coronation rituals of Rwandan kings.

Permits cost $40 per person.

Gorilla Guardians Village (Ibyi wacu cultural village)

Located just outside the national park, this living museum highlights aspects of traditional Rwanda society. Visitors can expect to be greeted by thunderous drumming, joyful dancing, and the kind of hospitality that has permeated Rwandan society for centuries. The village features hands-on activities related to the rituals and ways of life in the ancient Rwandan kingdom. Some of the Gorilla guardians village presenters and performers were previous poachers who’ve now been able to make a new livelihood through this memorable, interactive stop designed for visitors of all ages. The village also offers extended trips into the countryside as well as overnight lodging that can be arranged in advance.

Cost per person: US$20

Mount Karisimbi hike

Rising at an elevation of about 4507m above sea level is MT. Karisimbi, a stratovolcano which is the highest of the eight major volcanoes of the Virunga field and the 5th highest in Africa. It strides along the border between Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda on the western branch of the Eat African Rift valley. Karisimbi lavas have been dated from 0.24 Ma to 0.010 Ma indicating that the volcano is very young.

The name Karisimbi is derived from the word ‘amasimbi’ in Kinyarwanda which means “white shell”, referring to the white-capped summit which is often seen on top of this volcano. It is flanked by Mikeno to the north, Bisoke to the east and Nyiragongo to the west, on the other side of the Rift Valley. The mountain is situated in Volcanoes national park, popularly known for the mountain gorillas.

Climbing Mt Karisimbi is a strenuous yet very rewarding 2 days hike. The climb starts early in the morning taking 6 hours and involves navigating through the Bisoke side before reaching the first stopping place at an altitude of 3,700 metres for overnight camping before finishing off the journey the next day.

Mount Bisoke Hike

The mount Bisoke hiking adventure is one of the most memorable activities in Rwanda. The top of this Volcano has a spectacular crater lake. It is simply a 6 – hours hike including the 2 hours descending down to the starting point. Experienced hikers can get to the top of this mountain in a matter of 3 hours or even less and return to the base in about an hour.

On the day of hiking, Visitors converge at the park headquarters at Kinigi at 7:00 am to attend to a briefing and be assigned a park ranger. The park rangers are usually natives of the Volcanoes national park vicinity and thus very knowledgeable about the mountain adventures.

At 8:00 am the adventure begins. Your tour guide will transfer you to the starting point. You will be assigned porters to carry your baggage. You will be provided the hiking gear.