Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s most preferred travel destination. This park shelters the massive mountain gorillas, and these are the special attractions, a reason why thousands of nature lover consider it a must-visit on safari in Rwanda.
Location: Volcanoes NP is found in the Northern Province of Rwanda, and it sits within the Virunga Conservation Area. From Kigali capital, you can reach Volcanoes Park within 2-3 hours’ drive, and this is possible using our comfortable 4×4 drive vehicles.
Attractions: Volcanoes N/Park is a rich wildlife protected area, home to 30% of the world’s 1063 mountain gorillas. At Volcanoes NP, there are 12 habituated groups of mountain gorillas- all open for gorilla trekking and they include among others Agashya/Group 13, Susa A, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Sabyinyo, Umubano gorilla family, Ugenda, Bwenge, Tits, Karisimbi/Susa B, Hirwa and Pablo.
Visiting Rwanda for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park requires you to have a valid gorilla permit. Each of the gorilla permits to Volcanoes Park costs USD1500 per person and you can contact your trusted tour operator on ground to help you book one and also plan the entire gorilla trip.
Additionally, it protects golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, black fronted duikers, bush pigs, buffaloes, forest hogs, bushbucks, etc. Over 200 species of birds also reside within the park, and they include more than 29 endemic species.
Majority of Volcanoes National Park are Albertine rift endemics, and forest birds. They include the Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Rwenzori batis, Grauer’s rush warblers, Handsome francolin, paradise flycatchers, grey throated tit, long crested eagle, African marsh harrier, red faced woodland warblers, strange weavers and more.
Volcanoes: Of the eight Virunga Massifs, Volcanoes National Park has 5 (five) of them and they include Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Karisimbi (the highest of all the 8 volcanoes rising up to 4507m), Muhabura and Bisoke. The most hiked of these volcanoes on Rwandan side include Karisimbi and Bisoke.
Where to stay: Volcanoes NP is a complete travel destination with endless list of accommodation options. They include 5 Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge, One&Only Gorillas Nest, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge and Virunga Hotel, etc.
Plan a head
Volcanoes National Park is a bucket-list destination for most travelers on Rwanda safaris, and depending on what your travel needs are, it is always important to plan everything early. If you are visiting Volcanoes Park for gorilla trekking, we encourage you to plan your gorilla tour at least 2-4 months or even a year before the actual date of visiting mountain gorillas.
First, you will need to obtain valid gorilla permit in Rwanda, and considering the high demand, you shouldn’t wait till the last minute. The accommodation, transportation, etc are also among the many elements that should be put into consideration and this is why planning your gorilla trip a head is key. Facilities even become limited during the peak season as many visitors tend to book the best accommodation facilities in the park, but with early planning, your tour operator will ensure that everything is settled.