Parc National Des Volcans

Le Parc National des Volcans is a national park located in the Virunga region in northwestern Rwanda, East Africa. It is primarily known for housing a population of mountain gorillas, a critically endangered species. The park covers an area of approximately 160 square kilometres and is famous for its volcanic landscapes, lush forests, and diverse wildlife.

The Volcanoes National Park is a crucial conservation area for mountain gorillas, which were extensively studied by the American primatologist Dian Fossey for many years. The park offers visitors the opportunity to participate in gorilla trekking, where they can get up close to these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

In addition to gorillas, the park is home to other primate species, including the golden monkey, the Angolan colobus, and the silver monkey. It also provides birdwatching opportunities and boasts a rich diversity of plants and flora. The Volcanoes National Park is surrounded by other Virunga national parks, including Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. These parks form an important conservation corridor for the region’s wildlife.

Tourism in the Volcanoes National Park is regulated to minimize the impact on gorillas and their habitat. Visitors must obtain permits to participate in gorilla trekking, and these permits are limited in number to ensure the protection of these endangered animals. The park serves as a successful example of conservation that combines biodiversity preservation with sustainable tourism.

Activities To Do at Parc National Des Volcans

The Parc National des Volcans, or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, offers a range of activities for visitors to enjoy.

The most famous activity in the park is gorilla trekking, where you can get up close and personal with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. However, there are other activities you can engage in as well:

Gorilla Trekking:

Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park is popular because Rwanda is considered by some to be the best destination for gorillas trekking in Africa. The park is home to the intriguing but endangered mountain gorillas. The Volcanoes National Park covers an area of about 16,000 hectares and is found in the northwestern part of Rwanda. It consists of afro-montane forests, bamboo forests, savanna grassland, vast swamps and 5 volcanoes (Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Karisimbi). Mount Karisimbi is one of the four tallest mountains in Africa. The Volcanoes national park is home to the spotted hyena, buffaloes, elephants, bush bucks, duikers and golden monkeys among many other mammals.

Gorilla trekking at the Volcanoes national park involves hiking through dense bamboo forests and steep mountain slopes in search of one of the gorilla families in Rwanda. The final encounter with the primates is considered to be one of the most exciting and memorable Wildlife encounters in Rwanda. Tracking gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park required an advanced purchase of the gorilla permit so as to be sure of getting a spot for gorilla trekking on a given date. Gorilla permits can be very difficult to secure during peak seasons like June to September and December to March. Gorilla permits in Rwanda currently go for $1500.

Golden Monkey Trekking:

In addition to gorillas, the park is home to the rare and endangered golden monkeys. You can go on treks to observe these playful primates.

The volcanoes national park now has two habituated troops of golden monkeys. The largest and most visited group lives around the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo with about 100 individuals.

There is no age limit or specific number of people required for tracking golden monkeys. Tracking golden monkeys starts with a briefing which takes place at park offices at around 7:30am. After the briefing, tourists may decide to hire a porter to help with extra luggage before moving to the starting point. Tracking golden monkeys takes a shorter time (about an hour) and is less strenuous than gorilla trekking. Some effort is required to locate them though because they are smaller and do not leave behind clear evidence of their previous location like mountain gorillas.

Trackers can locate them by looking out for fresh leftovers of bamboo shoot. Each day of tracking golden monkeys is different – the weather and troop movements decide how the day will go. Because of their constant movements on tree tops, taking photos (flash photos are allowed unlike with the mountain gorillas) of these monkey involves some difficulty. The only time the monkeys stay still is when taking shelter during the rains or when it gets too windy. The winds make it difficult for them to locate their enemies and a need to stay alert for eagles. The best way to take photos of these cute creatures is to set your camera on fast shutter shot speed.

Once the monkeys are located, trackers will often have to follow them around because they love jumping from tree to tree. Their long tails help them with balancing but may get stuck and cut off by the bamboo trees. You can notice some members with short tails as testament to this. Habituated golden monkeys are not too shy around humans and may come close out of curiosity.

Hiking/Mountain climbing Experience:

The park has a variety of hiking trails that cater to different fitness levels. Some trails lead to the Karisoke Research Centre or the Dian Fossey Tomb. These hikes offer opportunities to explore the beautiful volcanic landscapes and learn about the park’s history. For more adventurous visitors, you can attempt to climb one of the volcanoes within the park. Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi are popular options, but these treks require a higher level of fitness and preparation. Below are some of the most visited hikes in Volcanoes national park.

Mount Bisoke Hike – (3711m/12175ft) is located on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a dormant volcano with a massive crater lake at in the peak measuring about 400m in diameter and fully lies in Rwanda. Mount Bisoke crater lake is the most popular trail for hiking tours in Volcanoes National Park as hikers aim to reach this beautiful crater lake at the peak. Mountain Bisoke is also located closer to the center of the Virungas and thus offers stunning views of the chain. You can even catch sight of the sharp peak of Mt. Mikeno in the Congo. You also stand a good chance of seeing gorillas and golden monkeys along the hike. The difficulty level of this hike can be put at challenging to difficult but can be done even by none experienced hikers, however good fitness is very important for one to enjoy the trek. The round trip is about 6 hours, with 4 hours climbing up and 2 climbing down.

Dian Fossey Hike

Dian Fossey was an the American primatologist who worked extensively with mountain gorillas in this park. You can visit her grave site, which is near the Karisoke Research centre. This is located in the valley between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi. It starts from the base of Mt. Bisoke and goes to the burial place and the research station, Karisoke, of famous researcher Dian Fossey who dedicated her life to studying and advocating for the protection of the mountain gorillas and their habitat in Rwanda and the neighboring countries. The Dian Fossey trail offers a beautiful trek with wonderful views of the mountains and special mountain vegetation such as orchids and a chance to encounter the mountain gorillas. The Dian Fossey trail offers a less strenuous hike. The round trip is about 3–4 hours.

Mount Muhavura Hike – Mount Bisoke (4127m/13540ft) is shared between Rwanda and Uganda. It is located on the end/start of the volcano chain. The trek on Mount Muhavura offers wonderful views of the mountainous landscape. One can also view the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo below. At the peak of the Mt. Muhavura is also beautiful crater lake. The round trip is about 6 – 8 hours. Since it is quite high it requires a good fitness and endurance

Mount Gahinga Hike – Mount Gahinga (3474m/11398ft) is the shortest mountain in Volcanoes National Park. It is the least hiked in the park. For none seasoned hikers this may be a good one to start with before taking on the more challenging mountains in the chain.

Birdwatching:

The park is home to a wide variety of bird species, making it a great destination for birdwatchers. You can spot many unique and beautiful birds as you explore the forests.

Cultural Visits:

You can arrange visits to nearby villages to learn about Rwandan culture and interact with local communities. This is an opportunity to gain insight into the traditions and lifestyles of the people living in the area.

Scenic Drives:

The roads leading to the park offer beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. You can take a scenic drive to admire the landscapes and take in the sights.

Photography:

The park’s stunning landscapes, gorillas, and other wildlife offer fantastic opportunities for photography. Be sure to bring your camera or smartphone to capture the beauty of the park.

Directions To Parc National Des Volcans

The Parc National des Volcans, also known as Volcanoes National Park, is located in the northwest of Rwanda. To get to the park, you’ll typically need to arrive in the capital city, Kigali, and then travel by road from there. Here are directions to the park from Kigali:

Kigali to Musanze (Ruhengeri):

Start your journey in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
The most common route is to take the RN1 road north from Kigali to Musanze (formerly known as Ruhengeri). The drive takes approximately 2-3 hours.
Musanze is the nearest major town to the park and serves as a base for visitors.

Musanze to Volcanoes National Park:

From Musanze, you can arrange transportation to the Volcanoes National Park, which is located nearby.
Most accommodations in Musanze can arrange transportation for you, or you can hire a taxi to take you to the park headquarters.

Park Headquarters:

The park’s headquarters are located in Kinigi, which is the starting point for gorilla trekking and other activities within the park.
When you arrive at the park headquarters, you’ll need to check in, obtain any necessary permits (e.g., gorilla trekking permits), and receive guidance for your activities.

It’s essential to plan your visit to the park well in advance, especially if you intend to go gorilla trekking, as permits are limited and often need to be secured months ahead of time.

You can make these arrangements through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or with the help of tour operators and accommodations in Musanze.

Additionally, road conditions in Rwanda can vary, so it’s a good idea to check for any updates or road closures before your journey. It’s also recommended to travel during daylight hours, as the road to Musanze can be hilly and winding in some sections.

In conclusion, the Parc National des Volcans, or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, is a remarkable destination known for its incredible biodiversity and, most notably, its population of mountain gorillas.

Visitors can engage in a range of activities, including gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, hiking, birdwatching, and cultural experiences. To reach the park, you can start in Kigali and travel north to the town of Musanze, which serves as a gateway to the park.

Make sure to plan your visit well in advance, especially if you want to secure gorilla trekking permits, and be prepared for a memorable and conservation-focused adventure in this beautiful part of Rwanda.