Plan Your Trip to Volcanoes Park Rwanda

Here is all the basic information you need to get started with planning your tour within the Volcanoes National Park. From this resource, read everything you need to know to plan an expert trip into the Rwandan Volcanoes including; getting there, getting around, gorilla trekking and much more.

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions such as when to visit the park, the best times to go gorilla tracking, what to pack,  guidelines for visiting the park etc. Are you planning a gorilla trekking adventure far in advance? Check our articles to learn more about gorilla trekking, hiking the Virunga Volcanoes, gorilla families to visit, gorilla-watching guidelines, etc.

Where is the Volcanoes National Park?

Located within the protected area of the Virunga Volcanoes, Volcanoes National Park is found in northern Rwanda. It lies 105km from Kigali, the Capital of Rwanda. It takes about 3 hours to drive from Kigali to Kinigi where the park headquarters can be found.

How to Get to the Volcanoes Park Rwanda

The Volcanoes National Park is located a short distance drive from Kigali (just about 2-3 hours drive) and from Bwindi or Mgahinga in Uganda (about 3-5 hours’ drive). A comfortable 4×4 vehicle is more preferable for all your road trips to Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park.

When is the Best Time to Visit Volcanoes Park Rwanda?

The best time to visit the Volcanoes Park depends on what you would like to see, experience or do there. Though most activities can be done all year round, it is important to know the right time to go gorilla trekking, hiking or birding.

How Long Should I Spend in the Rwandan Volcanoes?

The length of time to spend on safari depends on what you would like to do or experience. Some do day trips to see gorillas from Kigali while still some spend a week within the volcanoes and do several adventures.

What are the Park Fees and Activity Fees?

For all clients who posses a gorilla permit, the park entrance fee is included in the cost. A golden monkey permit costs US$90 per person. There are special fees for gorilla permits up to December 2023.

Gorilla Tracking in the Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking is the most sought after adventure activity that attracts most visitors to the Rwandan volcanoes. With a total of about 96 gorilla permits being issued every day, you can be among the privileged who go on amazing treks to see the great apes in the wild. Every 8 tourists are assigned to each of the 12 habituated families for tourism within the park. A permit costs US$1500 per person and you can easily book your gorilla safari with a local tour operator listed on this website.

Even though gorillas can be tracked in countries such as the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Congo, it is only in three countries where you can find the endangered mountain gorillas. Of all the gorilla subspecies, it is only the mountain gorillas that until now cannot survive outside their natural habitats. Elsewhere, they are only found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in DR Congo.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park has been specially designed as a luxury eco-tourism activity. Though most of the attention has for a long time been drawn to the $1500 permit, many people miss the highlight of how the population of mountain gorillas in the world has more than doubled due to similar prohibitive yet supportive conservation endeavors.

Preparation for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Every successful and memorable African safari starts with preparation. That is psychological, physical, and sometimes educational. Here are a few things that come on top mind when preparing to visit Volcanoes national park in Rwanda.

• When is the Best time to visit volcanoes national park?
• What Gear is to Carry for a Gorilla Trek? Camera, Binoculars, and other safari gadgets
• What are the most important rules to know?
• How to stay Safe while visiting Volcanoes national park?
• What is the Recommended Wear During the Visit?
• What are the essential things to Pack for your Visit?
• Get to Know the Wildlife Etiquette for PNV
• Where Should I Stay During My Visit?
• Where Should I Eat During my Visit?
• How to get to Volcanoes National Park

Kwita Izina – The Gorilla Naming Ceremony

The annual Kwita Izina (naming) gorilla-naming ceremony is predicated upon a common African practice of infant naming where commonly the grandfather or grandmother gives a name to their grandchild. In Rwanda, the naming ceremony is often attended by family and friends. In the effort to promote gorilla conservation, ORTPN among several other conservation stakeholders took it upon themselves to adopt the human culturally known practice of naming human babies and applied it to naming infant gorillas. This annual festival is held every September and the ceremony is attended by celebrities, tourists, conservationists as well as local people.

Gorilla Trekking Permits for Rwanda

To track the endangered mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes Park, you must have a valid gorilla permit. A permit for Rwanda costs US$1500 per person and they can be booked via the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or through a reliable local tour operator.

What to Carry for a Gorilla Trek in Rwanda?

The essential things every Rwanda traveler should have when visiting Rwanda for mountain gorilla trekking include long socks, trousers, long sleeved shirts, a daypack with energy giving foods, sturdy walking shoes, a rain jacket and insect repellent.

Remember your camera can be used as long as you don’t use the flashlight. Bottled drinking water is a necessity and you can also carry a basic first aid kit. Check out the packing list here

Is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda Safe?

Many travelers ask about the safety of the activity of visiting the gorillas. All gorilla treks are safe and secure for all tourists. All treks to see mountain gorillas are done in gorilla groups that have undergone thorough habituation. The gorilla habituation process takes a period of about 2 years to make these apes get used to human presence before they are fully opened to tourist visits.

When is the best time to Go Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda?

Rwanda’s gorillas can be tracked any time of the year. However the dry season stands out as the most favorable time for travelers from Europe and America. The dry season falls with the summer months of June, July, August, September. The peak season also occurs within December to March of every year. Visiting the mountain gorillas in the dry season (with low or no rains are recorded) makes hiking easier. Trackers can smoothly navigate via the dry trails rather than muddy floor during the wet season.