Nature walks in Volcanoes National Park

Tourists can go on guided Nature walks in Volcanoes National Park to explore attractions on ground like birds, primates, butterfly and tree species. You will be led by an experience guide and an armed ranger. With luck tourists on nature walks can see the mountain gorillas and other wildlife. The most common hiking trails within Volcanoes National Park include;

The Lake Ngezi Trail

This trail leads you to the mighty Lake Ngezi which is a tinny, scenic and shallow lake positioned on the foothills of Mount Bisoke. It is explored mostly when one climbs mount Bisoke and it takes 3-4 hours round trip to sightsee it. Expect to see several monkeys and bird species while on this trail. This trail also offers a nice area for birders and is a home to birds such as the Papyrus Gonolek and the Grauer’s Swamp warbler.

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.

Hike to the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera

Tourists can engage in a nature walks to the Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo. At the lakes, tourists can do a boat cruise and a three hours hike to Rusumo waterfalls and spot unique bird species such as the Pink-backed Pelican, Cinnamon-breasted Bee-eater, the African Marsh Harrier, Long-crested Eagle, Plain Martin, the Paradise Flycatchers and the Grey-throated Tit among others.

Musanze caves

In the past, the caves played an important role for the Batwa pygmies and other tribes living in the area. The caves were excellent for storing food and hiding during war. These caves appeared due to volcanic eruption that made an underground space large for humans to enter. The caves are nearby to Mount Bisoke and Sabyinyo. Besides nature walks and hiking within Volcanoes National Park, nature walks within the Musanze Caves are very interesting. Musanze caves are 2km along with stairs and walkways to the dark interiors of the cave and this can be done after your morning activity. The complex cave system has 31 entry points with a tunnel system that is 20 kilometers long. The inside is quite dark and one has to have a torch to get inside. It costs $50 to see the caves. The caves were hiding places for Rwandan local kings during tribal wars in order for them to recuperate.

Gorilla guardian village / Iby’Iwacu cultural village

On the edge of Volcanoes National park is an indigenous Gorilla guardian village / Iby’Iwacu cultural village community that was mobilized into Mountain gorilla guardians, sometimes it’s referred to as the Iby’Iwacu cultural village. The community arrange numerous activities for tourists, being a remote village secluded near by the volcanoes Mountain Ranges, they have mastered lots of traditional settings, their way of life is something to learn about, they showcase traditional dances, the king’s palace, their traditional helaers and so many more. Tourists can as well enjoy in their day to day activities  like traditional dances, art, cultural rituals, ceremonies and storytelling. Guests are allowed to be part of preparation of local brew from bananas, traditional cooking classes and making products like local ghee.