Volcanoes National Park covers an area of 160 square kilometers, located in northwestern Rwanda and famous for sheltering the endangered mountain gorillas. This park is covered by the rain forested type of vegetation and encompasses 5 of 8 Virunga volcanoes including Bisoke, Karisimbi, Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo. The park, neighbors Uganda to the north and Democratic Republic of Congo in the north-west. It shares Mount. Sabyinyo, Muhabura and Gahinga with Uganda and Bisoke and Mikeno with D.R. Congo.
Volcanoes National Park is one of the first national parks in Africa created in the year 1925 to protect primarily endangered mountain gorillas and other important primate species. The park saw its land expanded to about 8,090 square kilometers and in 1958, the park land was again reduced to be used for human settlement. In 1973 about 1,050 hectares of land was further cleared for pyrethrum growing further reducing its land. Volcanoes National Park is now a major tourist hub given its impressive population of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, over 500 bird species, forest mammals, and ancient caves, among others.
In 1967, Volcanoes National park became the home of Dian Fossey, a female research and primatologist who saved mountain gorillas from poachers, introduced gorilla habituation experience in East Africa and established a research Centre (Karisoke research station) between the two Volcanic Mountains – Karisimbi and Visoke / Bisoke. In 1985, Dian was murdered by unknown people at her home but she is still celebrated for her excellent work and sacrifice to saving mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area. Without her efforts, we wouldn’t have a chance to track and meet mountain gorillas in their wilderness. Her life is still portrayed through an award winning documentary called “gorillas in the mist”.
1n 1992, the park premises became a battlefield due to civil wars in Rwanda and at that time, the research Center was abandoned until 1999 when the park re-opened and resumed its operation. The Democratic Force for the Liberation of Rwanda played a big role to offer security and peace in the country hence the park activities as gorilla trekking resumed at a high gear. Since then, there is no threat or danger in Rwanda and the park can be visited any time of the year.
Volcanoes national park currently has 12 habituated gorilla families that are always open for tourists to trek and each gorilla family is trekked by a group of 8 tourists which means that there are only 96 Rwanda gorilla permits issued on daily basis. The demand for gorilla permits is quite high, despite the expensive price of permits; each gorilla permit in Rwanda costs USD1500 per person per trek.
Trekking takes an hour while in the presence of a fully habituated gorilla family but the overall experience can take about 2 to 5 hours since the location of gorilla groups may not be predicted.
Activities in Volcanoes National Park.
Apart from mountain gorillas, there are other attractions like golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kadndti), black-fronted duikers, bush backs, forest buffaloes, over 178 recorded bird species including 13 species of Virunga Mountains and 16 subspecies of Rwenzori Mountains. All these attractions have led to numerous activities happening in this park and among others include;
Gorilla trekking.
This is the most popular activity done in the park premises and it starts with a briefing after enjoying a warm breakfast at the lodge. Visitors normally have a great time while trekking as they also spot different bird species, large mammals such as bush buffalos, duikers and many more and also spend an hour while in the presence of these giant apes for an hour, though the overall experience takes about 2 to 5 hours.
Golden monkey trekking.
Volcanoes national park has 2 habituated troops of golden monkeys and each group is trekked once a day. These primates are commonly found in the lower bamboo forests where they normally live since they love bamboo shoots as their staple food. Golden monkeys are more active than gorillas hence making it so interesting and engaging. Rwanda golden monkey trekking safari takes about 2 to 4 hours including one hour while in the presence of a troop.
Hiking / nature walks.
Hiking mainly takes place on Mount. Bisoke, Karisimbi and Musanze caves. The summit to Mount. Bisoke rewards hikers with the views of a beautiful crater lake on top of this mountain, and the overall trekking time is 6 hours.
Mount. Karisimbi is the tallest of all Virunga volcanoes and the fifth in Africa standing at 4507m above sea level. The mountain gets its name from the Kinyarwanda word ‘Amasimbi’ which means white shells due to existence of snow on its summit. Karisimbi hiking tour is tiresome but adventurous, taking maximum of 2 days.
Bird watching.
Volcanoes National Park is home to over 178 bird species, and therefore birding tours are possible in this park and the trails used are the same as those for gorilla trekking. This is likely to reward visitors with a double chance of spotting both birds, golden monkeys and mountain gorillas. Birders are advised to carry their binoculars, telescopes, bird guide books and cameras to capture beautiful birds during this trail.
Famous birds that may be spotted include the rift valley endemics – bateleur, Kivu ground thrush, brown-backed honey bird, bat hawk, Narina trogon, cinnamon chested bee-eater, red-backed shrike, blue-spotted wood dove, and many more. Birders also need to know that Volcanoes national park has seven important birding areas (IBAs).
Cultural encounters.
Visitors can take an evening walk to the nearby Ibyiwachu cultural village; an association of mainly reformed poachers in Volcanoes national park. These people joined the road of conserving wildlife by benefiting from tourism. They have organized small cultural packages that create everlasting memories for tourists mostly after gorilla or golden monkey trekking. They perform traditional dances and music, crowning a king and queen experience, storytelling, traditional lifestyle among others.
How to access Volcanoes National Park?
The park can be easily accessed via Kigali airport, taking about 2-3 hours’ drive on a well-tarmacked road. You can also access the park via Uganda, crossing from Cyanika boarder in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale, taking just 40 minutes’ drive.
Plan now for that dream gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes national park and create everlasting memories in the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda.
