Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is best known for mountain
gorilla trekking but the park is also rich with many other exotic activities to
engage in. This park is part of the Virunga volcanoes which are shared between
Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. This park is an evergreen bamboo forest with
grassland areas, swamps, and heath in other areas.
The mountain gorillas are the prime attraction in Volcanoes
National Park with gorilla trekking happening all year round. Because of the
high altitude, it is generally cold, especially early morning and the evenings,
you are advised to carry a light sweater for these times. The park is located
only 2 hours from Kigali in the north of Rwanda.
Dian Fossey
Mountain gorillas were the subject of the late Dian Fossey who
dedicated her life to their protection and conservation. Dian Fossey carried
out research on mountain gorillas at the Karisoke Research Center in Volcanoes
National Park, Rwanda. Her study on mountain gorillas lasted for 18 years and
as a result of that study, we can have gorilla tourism which contributes
directly to gorilla conservation. Much of her work is portrayed in the
internationally acclaimed film, Gorillas in the Mist, which was shot in
Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park
There are several gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, with some habituated for gorilla tourism and others for research, whereas others are not habituated. To track gorillas, you need to purchase a gorilla permit through your tour operator with specific dates before embarking on this fulfilling bucket list experience. Each gorilla group is given a name depending on different circumstances and is led by a silverback. When a young silverback challenges the dominant silverback, he must steal some females from an existing group to form his own family.
Amahoro gorilla group,
Amahoro means peaceful and is led by the calm Ubumwe. The group mainly resides
uphill which requires you to endure a steep climb to eventually come into its
territory but as always, the climb is worth it.
Hirwa gorilla group emerged from different existing gorilla
families including Group 13, Susa, and Sabyinyo. Munyinya the silverback after
leaving Susa with 2 females, got others
along the way and eventually formed a group.
The Sabyinyo gorilla group is led by Guhonda, named after one
of the volcanoes Mt Sabyinyo. The members within this family are generally
fewer but is an impressive family. This group is closest to the park
headquarters, if you are weary of tracking long distances, this is the group to
request if available.
Kwitonda gorilla group is led by silverback Kwitonda and the
name is translated as humble one. This gorilla group migrated from the
Democratic Republic of Congo and settled permanently in Rwanda. It is
moderately difficult to trek because it ranges far from the upper slopes of Mt
Muhabura.
Group 13 / Agashya gorilla group had only 13 members during
habituation hence its name. Currently, it has a membership of approximately 25
members and is led by Silverback Agashya which explains the name change.
The Umubano gorilla group is led by silverback Charles who
broke off from the Amahoro gorilla group with some females to form Umubano. The
name Umubano is translated as living together.
The Ugenda gorilla group was named after its unique behavior
of roaming from place to place around the Karisimbi area, come ready to hike
this volcano as you follow this gorilla group.
Susa (A) gorilla group is the largest gorilla group in the
park with 41 gorillas and is the group that was studied by Dian Fossey. The
group is known for having the rare twins named Byishimo and Impano. This family
ranges in the high mountains making it difficult to trek, but rewards you with
its size on sighting it.
Karisimbi / Susa B gorilla group split from the original Susa
(A) group and has 2 silverbacks. This group is one of the hardest to trek,
residing on the upper slopes of Mt Karisimbi. It is best for seasoned hikers
who enjoy the hiking experience as much as sighting the gorillas.
Titus gorilla group was named after silverback Titus which was
born during the days of Dian Fossey's research at Karisoke.
The Bwenge gorilla group was formed by silverback Bwenge after
breaking away with females from other groups. Bwenge is translated as Wisdom.
The group occupies mainly the slopes between Karisimbi and Bisoke mountains.
Wildlife
in Volcanoes National Park
The most famous inhabitants of volcanoes national park are the
mountain gorillas. They have successfully placed the Volcanoes National Park on
the world map thanks to the work of Dian Fossey and the movie Gorilla in the
Mist. The park also hosts the beautiful, rare, and endangered golden monkeys
only found in the Virunga region. Other animals found in the forest include
Forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, duikers, spotted
hyenas, bushbucks, and several primates.
Birds of
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is home to over 200 bird species with
some Albertine rift endemics for bird-watching enthusiasts to enjoy. Birding is
the next best thing to do in this park after mountain gorilla tracking and
golden monkey trekking. Some of the species to look out for include the Grauers
rush warbler, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori double collared
Sunbird, handsome francolin, strange weaver, dusky crimson-wing, collared
Apalis, red-faced woodland warbler and Archer's ground robin.
ACTIVITIES IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Gorilla
trekking safaris in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla tracking is the number one activity in the Volcanoes
National Park Rwanda. The tracking happens once daily with 8 individuals
visiting a gorilla group per day. The visitors are expected to arrive at the
Rwanda Development Board (RDB) offices at 7 am where they are briefed about
expectations and later distributed among the different gorilla groups. Once
allocated a gorilla group and the briefing is concluded you follow your ranger
guide and start your trek in search of these gentle giants. Your trek can take
anything from a few minutes to 6 hours depending on the location of the group
that you are tracking. Once in sight of the group, you will be able to stay in
their presence for only one hour. Remember the details shared in the briefing
and endeavor to follow them for your safety and that of the gorillas, if in
doubt ask your ranger guide.
Gorilla trekking guidelines
Visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7 m (about 22
feet) from the gorillas.
If you are sick with a cold, flu, or other contagious illness,
please do not visit the gorillas. Should you need to cough, cover your mouth
and turn away from the gorillas.
Viewing time is limited to one hour.
Maximum 8 visitors per day per group.
When with the gorillas, keep your voice low.
Try not to make rapid movements that may frighten the
gorillas.
If a gorilla should charge or vocalize at you, do not be
alarmed, stand still, look away from the gorilla, and follow your guide's
directions.
Spitting in the park is strictly prohibited not litter.
Do not eat, drink, or smoke in the presence of gorillas
What to bring for a gorilla trekking safari
Wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts
Sun hut
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
Rain jacket
Waterproof hiking boots
Bird-watching
safaris in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is one of the 3 Important Birding
Areas (IBA) in Rwanda with the rare Albertine rift endemics. Together with your
bird guide, start your birding day ready with binoculars and a camera to
capture some of the spectacular birds in the Virunga. Your main search for the
day will be the Albertine Rift endemics, enjoy the great scenery as you bird.
Golden monkey trekking safaris in Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park
once a day in the early morning much like gorilla trekking. You are expected to
arrive at the briefing place at the pack headquarters as early as 7 am for a
briefing about how to behave and relate with these creatures in the wild. You
will then be divided into two groups if you are many and start your trek led by
experienced and jolly ranger guides. Enjoy the traditional dances from a local
troupe and a hot cup of coffee before your briefing.
Volcanoes National Park currently has two habituated troops
that are open for visiting. The total number of individuals from both is 80
habituated for tourism. Golden monkeys live mostly in the bamboo vegetation
because of their love for bamboo shoots and unlike the mountain gorillas, they
are active, which makes the trekking very engaging and interesting. You will be
following after them as they hop from one area to another looking for food.
Volcanoes
hiking in Volcanoes National Park
Hiking
Mount Bisoke
Mount Bisoke has a remarkable crater lake at the top, which
makes hiking this volcano a rewarding adventure. The hike takes about 6 hours
which includes the 2 hours spent descending back down. However, some experienced hikers take as few
as 3 or less and an hour to descend. Just like all activities, hikers meet at 7
am at the RDB offices where they listen to a briefing and start the hike with
the assigned ranger guide. Your ranger guide is knowledgeable and ready to
share the mountain adventures with you. You have access to porters who will
help with your luggage at a minimal fee, you are highly encouraged to take a
porter along. This is for your freedom in enjoying the hike but also employs
the porters.
Hiking Mount
Karisimbi
Mount Karisimbi is the highest of the Virunga volcanoes at
4507m above sea level and the fifth highest in Africa. It is along the Rwanda
and DR Congo border on the western Rift Valley. It derives its name from
Amasimbi which means white shell in Kinyarwanda because of the white-capped
summit a result of hail and sleet accumulating. The Karisimbi hike is strenuous
but rewarding taking two days for the total journey starting through Bisoke.
You have chances to see birds, several primates including gorillas on rare
occasions, and remarkable scenery.
Musanze
Caves
Musanze caves are due to volcanic eruption which formed an
underground space large enough for humans to enter. They are two Kilometers
long with walkways and stairs that take you to the dark interior of the
caves. This activity can be done after
your morning gorilla tracking.
Dian
Fossey tomb tour in Volcanoes National Park
Trekking to the Dian Fossey tomb gives you an insight into the
life of Dian Fossey and gorilla conservation in the Virunga region. You will
learn more about her interest in the gorillas and how over the years gorilla
conservation picked on which later led to gorilla tourism. For part of the
distance, you will travel in a car until you reach the start of the trailhead
where you trek for about 1 to 2 hours. You have chances to see some forest
animals like elephants, buffaloes, forest hogs, and several bird species.
You arrive at Dian Fossey's house where she was mysteriously
murdered in 1985 and later buried next to Digit her favorite gorilla friend.
The gorilla graveyard has about 20 gorillas buried here that were killed either
by poachers or by natural causes.
Cultural
tours near Volcanoes National Park
Ibyiwacu/
Gorilla Guardians Village
Ibyiwacu Cultural Village is an initiative for local people
who were formerly involved in the poaching of gorillas and are now on the
conservation road. Edwin Sabuhoro started the village when he worked as a
warden at Volcanoes National Park with a desire to transform the then-notorious
poachers into conservationists. Your visit to this village will continue to
expound on conservation efforts and provide a livelihood for many of the
community members. Enjoy an experience of the village by taking part in the
activities; join royalty by being crowned king or queen for the day, learn
about the traditional lifestyles, and enjoy music and dance.
Other
community tours
More communities around Volcano National Park give more series
of experiences about their real lives. you can choose to join our activities in
Villages including a village walk, Homes stay, a day with a Rwandan family, a
beekeeping experience, a banana beer brewery experience, and even more. There
you can eat like a local and live like a local.
Access to
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is a 2.5-hour drive from Kigali. It is
a 30-minute drive from the border with Uganda at Cyanika in Kisoro. You can
also contract the services of Akagera Aviation to fly by helicopter.
Safari
lodges and camps around Volcanoes National Park
The places to stay near Volcanoes National Park range from
luxury, upmarket, and mid-range to basic establishments. Depending on your
interests, most establishments are found in Kinigi, and Musanze, and some as
far as an hour from the park headquarters. Listed below are some of the
accommodations
Bisate Lodge
Singita Kwitonda Lodge
Virunga lodge
Sabyinyo silverback lodge
One & Only Gorilla Nest
Le bambou gorilla lodge
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Kinigi guesthouse
Muhabura hotel
Five Volcano Boutique Hotel etc..