Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is the smallest of the three national parks in Rwanda but it is the most important park In Rwanda, and features Rwanda’s gorilla trekking Safaris, Golden Monkey tracking, Guided Nature walks in the volcanoes, Bird watching Safaris Volcanoes National Park, Mountain Hiking tours, Iby’Wacu cultural tours among others.. The Park formed in 1925 during the establishment of Parc National Albert on the territory of Congo and Rwanda. Volcanoes national park is one of the oldest parks on the African continent. It has exception features, gifted with the endangered mountain gorillas, the park attracts hundreds of tourists every year to visit it.
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is located in Musanze at the center of the Albertine rift and is part of a trans-boundary network of protected areas extending out on the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda , Rwanda and Tanzania. The Albertine Rift area of Volcanoes NP quays an amazing biological diversity with many endemic species of fauna and flora. Volcanoes NP is positioned in the region which is densely populated in Rwanda because of the presence of volcanoes and forest environment. Volcanic soils around the park are fertile and therefore important to the population which principally practices agriculture.
Volcanoes National Park Rwanda covers the Rwandan part of the Virunga Massif and is adjoining to the Parc National Virunga south in DRC and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, hence creating a trans-boundary bloc of protected area that covers nearly 450 km2. The nearest forests are Gishwati and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in Uganda. The Virunga Massif forest bloc has a unique collaboration of the authorities in the three national parks in the three countries of Rwanda, DR Congo and Uganda.
Venture on this ultimate guide to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, a thriving and winning Rwanda Safari destination for gorilla trekking, the Park features one of the 3 homes of the endangered mountain gorillas within the Virunga Mountains region. this Portal covers all you need to know about the park, where to go for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, best time to visit Rwanda and accommodation in Rwanda, Rwanda Gorilla trekking Rules and Regulations, Rwanda Safari, Rwanda Gorilla Permits, the Park vegetation, the wildlife in the Park, Volcanoes, Dian Fossey tomb, among others.
About the Park – Volcanoes national Park
The Volcanoes National park ecosystem comprises of six Virunga mountains from the East to the West as follows; Muhabura, Sabyinyo, Gahinga in the east, Bisoke, and Karisimbi in the west at the Rwanda border with either DR Congo or Uganda. Volcanoes Park is near the adjacent lava areas. The volcanoes in the park are eroded and steep in different kinds of forms with deep ravines most especially Sabinyo. The steep slopes are slippery specifically after raining. There are a number of caves in the park and also in the nearby surroundings. Read More
Birding In Volcanoes Nationakl Park
Virunga Mountains have over known 294 bird species across the three countries, among which 20 are endemic species to the Albertine rift. The bamboo, Neoboutonia, and Hqagenia-Hypericum vegetation zones are richer in terms of bird wildlife diversity reaching a maximum of about 3000m in altitude, and then start to decline at a high altitude. Among the endemic birds of Albertin Rift, the following species are relatively easy to observe in the volcanoes national aprk: Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori double collared Sunbird, Archer’s Ground Robin and Red-faced Woodland warbler.
Mammals Found In Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Virunga forest has a total of 86 known mammal species, 34 big mammals, 18 endemic to the western rift valley, 6endangered species. Mountain gorillas are endemic species found only found in the Virunga Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable forest of Uganda. The population of the gorillas declined in 1970 then rose in 1980 due to the combined effort of conservation projects and the national parks. Golden moneys are also endemic to the Virunga Mountains often seen in the bamboo forest. Blue monkeys are also seen here. There over 40 elephants that traverse the Virunga mountains in the three countries with seasonal migration patterns between the mountains and Nyamulagira sector of Volcanoes National park. Buffalos are also common in the park found at 4000M altitude on Karisimbi. The park also has the black-fronted duiker, bush pig, jackals and tree hyrax in the forests. Over 43 species of reptiles are here with 7 endemic to the Albertine.
Wat To do and See in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat,” wrote the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey“ are great, old volcanoes towering almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest – the Virungas. For our Rwanda Gorilla trekking Safari Clients, we schedule for your Rwanda Gorilla trekking Permit and take you to see Rwanda gorillas in their natural habitat, a no-doubt Jungle that never fails to impress with Stunning Insights, Encounters with Rwanda gorillas as they go about their daily lives are carefully managed, with expert trackers and guides leading small groups of about 8 to 10 trackers. As you trek towards the Old Volcanoes towering almost 15,000 feet
Golden Monkey Tracking
The age limit to do the golden monkeys trekking in Rwanda is a minimum of 12 years. The golden monkey trekking permit or ticket or pass costs USD100 for international tourists. The tourist must have purchased a golden monkey trekking permit in advance. Tourists report to the Kinigi Park Headquarters at 7am where they will meet the park ranger guides for briefing and then drive to the start of trek which is 15 minutes away at the edge of the park. There is one session in a day for the golden monkey trek and takes place in the morning like all other activities in the Volcanoes National Park. The monkeys are easily followed by clues of fresh left over eaten leaves of bamboo and shoots. Tourists are allowed only one hour with the golden monkeys watching them in their natural habitat.
Nature Guided Walks Rwanda
Guided Nature walks/ Hiking Virunga region is one of the most biologically diverse regions in Africa. It has tropical rain forests where you’ll find the endangered mountain gorillas alongside other primates, mammals and lots of beautiful birds. Apart from gorilla trekking, other activities of the Virunga are hiking, birding, nature walks and bike riding. Taking a forest walk or a guided walk is also an amazing way that you can get to see the different attractions that live in and around the Volcanoes National Park. In your group with your ranger, you will walk deep into the forest and spend some good time searching for the species that might interest you like the tree species, vegetation as well as the wildlife that live in the jungle.
Hike To The Dian Fossey Gravesite/Trail
Do not miss to visit the grave of the Dian Fossey who died saving the Mountain gorillas. She gave in her life and happiness to conserve the mountain gorillas which in the end she lost her life. Her work and life came to be known by the world after the Gorillas in the Mist. During your hike you get to Research Camp-called Karisoke Research Camp that’s sits between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. A 3-4 hours hike that starts from Kinigi Park Headquarters also ends to the rave of her beloved gorilla Digit that is near Dian Fossey’s grave. Dian Fossey found out ways to habituate the mountain gorillas by first gaining the trust of the adult dominant male silverback.
Popular Rwanda Safari Packages
