Frequently Asked Questions about Volcanoes National Park.
These are some often asked questions about Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park borders D.R. Congo and Uganda on Rwanda’s North Western side. The park encompasses around 160 square kilometers across wooded territory.
From Kigali airport, a two and half hour car drive winds over twisting roads to reach Ruhengeri. Five Virunga Volcanoes—Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhavura, and Sabyinyo—make up Towering Volcanoes National Park.
Only Uganda and D.R. Congo share the endangered mountain gorillas found in this park worldwide. Every day, gorilla walkers wake up to briefings at the ORTPN park headquarters split into groups of no more than eight customers.
Other primates like golden monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, pottos monkeys, blue monkeys, and others abound at Volcanoes National Park.
Albertine endemics among other abundant birds spend their day at Volcanoes National Park. Among the species you may observe are Kivu Ground Thrush, White-Tailed Blue Flycatcher, Scarley-tufted Malachite Sunbird, and Rwenzori Turaco.
Things to do at Volcanoes National Park
Trekking with gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
Starting with a gorilla trekking permit, the primary activity at Volcanoes National Park is gorilla trekking. You have to say the day you want to go gorilla trekking; remainder of your trip is planned around those dates.
There are around thirteen gorilla trekking families accessible for visitor trips in Volcanoes National Park. Among them are the Amahooro family, Sabyinyo family, Susa Gorilla family, Group 13, Kwitonda, Karisimbi, Umubano family, Hirwa gorilla family, Ugenda family, Bwenge gorilla family, and others.
Volcanoes National Park’s usually steep terrain makes the climb to find the gorillas somewhat more difficult. To maintain the form of your muscles, you should therefore engage in some decent workouts before gorilla trekking. You must resist the challenges of the hill before finding the mountain gorillas.
Mountain gorillas are accustomed to remain in human presence for just one hour, hence only one hour is permitted to be spent with them. They must be allowed to feed free from human intervention. Their tremendous weight requires a considerable supply of foliage to sustain it both during the day and at night.
kwita Izina Day
Here in Rwanda is the Gorilla naming ritual. Every year when New Born mountain gorillas are recorded, a celebration of this success takes place. Today is Kwita Izina, and people from all around come to participate in this unique event highlighting the wonders of conservation.
Remember mountain gorillas had been on the brink of extinction before the 1990s and the fervor for their protection has resulted in the consistent rise in numbers of mountain gorillas to roughly 800 from over 300 throughout the years.
Every year the Rwanda Development Board sets the date for this event; you may also reserve your gorilla trekking safari depending on such a day that is publicised.
Trekking Volcanoes National Park Golden Monkeys
Some of the threatened mountain gorillas worldwide, golden monkeys are found exclusively in the Virunga region. Their body size exceeds that of typical monkeys, and their far-back covering is golden brown. These monkeys are naturally quite busy all day.
Though they have been conditioned to slow down for a little to let visitors follow the golden monkeys, nature overpowers ad they keep you on your heels. Their mesmerizing motions define them and make them worth following.
Under an alpha male, they form troupes ranging in size from 100 to 300 individuals.
The golden monkeys permit is reserved from ORTPN for $100 each trip. Before departing for golden monkey trekking, Trekkers get a briefing from the ranger station; thereafter, a ranger guide leads you into the jungle to begin search. Never go into the forest without a led ranger; the wilderness is vast and you might find yourself lost.
birding in National Park Volcanoes
The Rwandan birding site is Volcanoes National Park. More than 178 bird species—including Redlist IUCN Albertine endemics—find their home in the park Because of the geography of Volcanoes National park, you must have brought birding equipment including a camera, sound trackers, binoculars, and tracking boots.
Among the species you may find are White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Scarley-tufted Malachite Sunbird, Montane Double-collared Sunbird, and attractive Francolin Dusky Turtle Dove.
Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Gahinga are the five volcanic peaks in Volcanues National Park. Hiking one of these massive mountains takes a day; no particular mountaineering equipment is needed. When trekking these mountains, one may witness several flora zones. On a clear day, the snowcapped Rwenzori Mountains are visible.
Mountains Karisimbi Hiking
Of all the mountains, this is the tallest; trekking might take two days. You climb to roughly 3800 m above sea level with your ranger guide and finish the following day. The highest point is around 4507 meters above sea level.
The slopes of Mountain Karisimbi include numerous vegetation zones including Mountain Muhavura, Nyamulangira Volcanoes and the active Volcano Nyirangongo in D.R. Congo.
Mount Bisoke Hiking
Mountain Bisoke next D.R. Congo is standing around 3711 meters above sea level. The ascent of Bisoke Mountain reveals several lovely craters as well as the amazing Virunga forest canopy.
Hiking Bisoke Mountains might take six hours.
Trekking Mountain Gahinga
Rising to dominate the Uganda-Rwanda border is Mountain Gahinga. It is 3474 meters above sea level, hence even without expertise in trekking, you might do this. About six hours of hiking allow you to see the crater view, lash plant cover, and others as you climb.
Mountains Muhavura Hiking
Rising 4157 meters above the deep South South Western corner of Uganda and Rwanda lies Muhavura. About eight hours of hiking this mountain will bring Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera into view at the summit.
Climbing Mountain Sabyinyo
Located near Uganda’s pivot, Rwanda, D.R. Congo is Mountain Sabyinyo. These three nations are visible when you reach its peak. This mountain is found in Mgahinga National park in Uganda and Volcanoes National park in Rwanda.
Mgahinga Mountains are ornamented with varied flora zones at around 3645 meters above sea level and has a muddy struggle as you climb.
On a 14-kilometer round trip, the hike takes over eight hours.
Trek Dian Fossey
One of the moving Rwanda Adventures is walking in the footprints of the fallen Mountain Gorilla hero Dian Fossey. Knowing how threatened the mountain gorillas were, the American primatologist Dian Fossey planned her research at Volcanoes National Park in 1967. She established the Karisoke Research center specifically to study mountain gorilla behavior.
Here fierce death in 1985 resulted from an enthusiastic movement to defend the mountain gorillas from a human invasion. Her bones were among the mountain gorillas she valued for companionship.
Many scientists worldwide rely their knowledge on mountain gorillas on her discoveries; thus, an institution was established in her memory.
Which concessions should I book in Volcanoes National Park?
Part of the journey is enjoying nights either within or outside of Volcanoes National Park. Before gorilla hiking, you could decide to spend nights in Rive to Ruhengeri or Kigali city.
Booking one of the many lodging options available in Volcanoes National Park is easy. Every budget covers inexpensive lodging to mid-range hotels to luxury ones. Several lodging options include
To list but a few, Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Le Bambou, Hotel Mille Collins, Best View Hotel, Faraja Hotel, and Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
How To Get To Volcanoes National Park
Mostly, one drives from Kigali Airport to Volcanoes National Park. You spend around three hours negotiating twisting roads. Though it stops at Musanze, daily public transportation from Kigali is accessible. You must pay for private methods of access to Volcanoes National Park.
What To Bring For National Park Volcanoes
Following comfy footwear can allow you to climb to find the mountain gorillas. Volcanoes National Park’s geography is usually steep, hence you must locate the gorillas in the Bamboo region as occasionally they eat from the hillsides.
Either the pouring dew on the leaves falling like droplets of rain or a rainproof clothing or poncha to save you from getting wet when it rains.
Long-sleeved shirts and pants in khaki, a dirt-friendly hue that will guard your skin from stinging nettles and pricking sharp surfaces in the forest.
Insect repellent free of skin reaction and safe for your skin. Stinging insects found in the woods may bite you even now.
An additional mask to change into when among the gorillas as flu and human infectious illnesses like Covid-19 harm them.
a camera free of flashes to preserve memories of your gorilla trekking expedition in Volcanoes National Park
When should one visit Volcanoes National Park?
National Park is available for tourist visitation all year round including volcanic activities. If you are planning your Africa gorilla trekking safari in the busiest months, June to September and December, you must book the gorilla trekking permit in advance for at least three months.
This season also features drier months and less swampy land along the paths due to more light rays penetrating the earth.
Although the rainy months of March through May and November are available for tourists, you should pack all your gorilla trekking equipment—especially rainproof gear—because the temperature is rather chilly and the rain falls heavily. Sometimes these months call for cheaper gorilla trip permits from Rwanda. The Rwanda Development Board’s rules and restrictions apply to discounted permits.
Please contact us by email or phone to receive more information on frequently asked questions about Volcanoes National Park plus services provided by Katland Safaris. We will then advise you. See what others have to say about us on our travel adviser page.
