Which part of Africa is Volcanoes National Park.
The North-Eastern Rwandan town of Musanze is home to Volcanoes National Park, which is also known as Parc Des Vulcan’s in French and Parikia Yigihugu yibirungu in Kinyarwanda (the local language). Rwanda has established itself as a premier tourist destination, contributing to its rapid growth among African countries. Among Rwanda’s and East Africa’s most prominent and historic parks, Volcanoes National Park stands tall among the continent’s natural wonders.
There are a lot of interesting things to see and do in the forest, including the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, as well as a wide variety of plants, birds, monkeys, bushbucks, forest pigs, and other primates. Located in the Virunga Conservation Area, Volcanoes National Park is home to five dormant volcanoes: Muhabura, Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Karisimbi, and Bisoke.
The increasing number of tourists visiting Volcanoes National Park to see the gorillas has contributed to Rwanda’s economic growth. Half of the world’s gorillas live in East Africa, making a gorilla trekking adventure once in a lifetime for those lucky enough to see these endangered primates in their native habitat.
A government agency in charge of overseeing all tourist-related matters in Rwanda, including Volcanoes National Park, is the Rwanda Development Board. The mountain gorillas, other primates, and other forest dwellers were the original gazettees for the park because of the extinction danger they faced from hunting.
The tropical forest is bordered by two national parks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, respectively. Because these primates have always crossed borders, conservation efforts in these three nations have been able to better safeguard the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking is available daily, all year round, at Volcanoes National Park, which is most famed for its mountain gorillas. Trekking with habituated mountain gorillas allows you to see these endangered primates in their native habitat, where you can see how they dine, move, sleep, and coexist peacefully.
There are ten habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, and each family is limited to eight tourists per day on treks. Through the efforts of trackers, guides, and park rangers, visitors have a 99% probability of seeing mountain gorillas. Although gorillas share 99% DNA with humans, they are still considered wild animals, therefore it’s important to listen to the guides’ instructions on what to do and what not to do when trekking with these primates.
Each day in Kinigi, gorilla trekking begins at 7:00 am. Depending on the whereabouts and activity of the gorillas in the forest, the duration of the gorilla walk might range from thirty minutes to several hours.
Anyone hoping to undertake gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park must first get a Rwanda gorilla permit from the Rwanda Development Board, which is valid for a certain period. You may see the gorillas and take pictures for an hour with a gorilla permit, which costs $1,500 for all citizens. Katland Safaris can assist you in planning an economical and unforgettable gorilla trek to Volcanoes National Park, a once in a lifetime opportunity to cross an item off your bucket list.
Observing the behavior of golden monkeys at Volcanoes National Park
The uncommon and endearing golden monkeys may be seen in their native habitat when one goes golden monkey tracking. There are two habituated golden monkey groups in Volcanoes National Park that go on daily treks; each group has about 80 individuals, and there’s no limit on how many people may visit.
To see the endangered golden monkeys, you’ll need to get a USD100 hiking permit from the Rwanda Development Board. At 7:00 in the morning, you will be briefed by the park wardens on what to do and what not to do before being led by park guides and rangers into the forest to find the golden monkeys.
The distance you will have to walk could range from thirty minutes to an hour, depending on their whereabouts and movements. Once you find them, you will have the opportunity to view and spend an hour with them before returning to the park. Get in touch with Katland Safaris if you would want assistance in arranging a golden monkey trip to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National Park: A Visit to the Dian Fossey Tomb
One of the most popular things to do in Volcanoes National Park is to take a tour of Dain Fossey’s grave. From the Karisoke research camp, the tomb is an hour away on foot. One such trek is the Dian Fossey Memorial trek, named after the renowned American primatologist and zoologist Dian Fossey, who dedicated her life to preventing the extinction of the gorillas by living in the mountains and raising awareness about their plight.
A monument was erected in her honor after the suspected poachers murdered her and laid her to rest in the park. The film “gorillas in the mist” also included her, and she became renowned for it. You may reach the grave of the late Dian, who battled for the survival of the endangered mountain gorillas and whose efforts to raise awareness about the need of conservation led to an upsurge in gorilla tourism, by hiking a distance of around 2,500 to 3,000 meters. Her charm, passion, study, and knowledge of mountain gorilla history all contributed to making this an unforgettable encounter.
Volcanoes National Park: A Cultural Immersion with the Iby’Iwacu People
Embark on an African adventure and immerse yourself in the fascinating and diverse cultures that await you. Rwandan culture is fascinating and engaging; the Iby’Iwacu villagers lived in the forest and even helped poach endangered animals until they were forcibly removed and settled into a village in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park in the districts of Nyabigoma and Kinigi in the Musanze district in the northern province.
Whenever possible, we plan excursions to Volcanoes National Park that include cultural experiences so that our guests have an unforgettable stay. During your time with the Iby’Iwacu people, you will have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate their unique traditions, customs, artifacts, dances, and ways of life. Visitors may see traditional dances, ceremonies, and ways of life in Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.
A visit to Volcanoes National Park for birdwatching
Volcanoes National Park is a popular destination for bird watchers due to the abundance of bird species found in the park’s forests. Volcanoes are home to more than 300 bird species. Among them are the endangered Grauer’s rush warbler, a swamp-dwelling local bird; francolin; Rwenzori turaco; Archer’s ground robin; red-faced woodland warbler; dusky crimson-wing; Rwenzori double-collared sunbird; collared Apalis; Rwenzori batis; and strange weaver, among many more. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, and Uganda are all part of our birding programs. You may learn to recognize different birds and their names with the assistance of expert birding guides.
Volcanoes National Park: how do I get there?
Get a Rwandan visa at Kigali International Airport or any of Rwanda’s border ports for $30 if you want to enter Volcanoes National Park. One hour drives separates the park from the Cyanika border between Rwanda and Uganda, and two hours separate Kigali city, making it easily accessible by road.
In our all-inclusive packages, we provide 4×4 cars that are ideal for a pleasant road journey to Volcanoes National Park. You must have either paid the admission charge or obtained a permit for the activity you want to participate in before you may enter the park.
In Volcanoes National Park, what rooms are available?
An excellent, spotless, cozy, and aesthetically pleasing lodge or camp is perfect for a memorable safari in Volcanoes National Park. For those looking for a more affordable option, there are a number of lodges and hotels in Volcanoes National Park. On the upper end of the spectrum, you’ll find Bisate Lodge and Virunga Lodge, while on the lower end of the spectrum, you’ll find Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, Five Volcanoes Lodge, Le Bamboo Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Hotel Muhavura, and Gorilla Volcanoes Lodge. When planning a trip to Volcanoes National Park, be sure to reserve your hotel room in advance, since they tend to sell out fast, particularly during the peak season.
What makes Volcanoes National Park safaris with Katland the best option?
In recent years, Katland Safaris has been taking clients to Rwanda and Volcanoes National Park, two amazing destinations. Get in touch if you’re interested in our reduced packages or if you’d want more personalized options for your gorilla, birding, cultural, or golden monkey tracking adventure in Volcanoes National Park.
We have, over the years, built a team that consists of both youthful and dynamic employees, headed by seasoned professionals who are enthusiastic about their work. This combination is the secret ingredient to our success in arranging real experiences. If you want to know what other travelers’ experiences were like when they went to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda with Katland Safaris, you can read their reviews and ratings on safari bookings and TripAdvisor.
