Volcanoes National Park is where Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris, golden monkey hiking, Dian Fossey grave hiking, twin lakes visits, and Musanze Caves visits, among other activities, take place.
Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda.
Covering a distance of 160 square kilometers, this Rwandan national park is home to 5 of the 8 Virunga Volcano Mountains, which straddle across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These mountains include Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Gahinga.
Volcanoes National Park is one of Rwanda’s four established national parks with the others being Nyungwe Forest National Park, Akagera National Park and Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
Popular Gorilla Tours to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
This article mentions Volcanoes tour operators, the cost of gorilla permits, park entry fees, the history of the park, location, best times to visit, accommodation, volcano hiking opportunities, golden monkey trekking, cultural encounters, birding, and more.
See some of the trusted Volcanoes National Park travel agents below.
List of Volcanoes Tour Operators
See a list of trusted Rwanda travel operators here.
Volcanoes National Park is one of Africa’s oldest national parks. It was gazetted in 1925 and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
The park is the most visited in Rwanda and is home to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
We also have a general list of gorilla trekking companies, luxury gorilla trekking operators, and budget gorilla trekking operators for clients that specifically want to trek gorillas in Rwanda.
These tours and travel companies specialize in what they do and will offer you a good experience with Rwanda gorillas.
Volcanoes National Park is home to 178 species of birds; 13 species and 6 sub-species of these are endemic to the Virunga and Rwenzori Mountains, including 3 globally threatened species.
Some of these species include collared apalis, dusky crimsonwing, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, sunbirds, and red-faced woodland warblers, to mention a few.
Contact these birding tour companies for an epic experience.
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park (PNV)
Gorilla trekking in PNV starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters in Kinigi from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
There are currently 10 habituated gorilla families available for trekking in the park.
Passport details of all trackers are required to confirm bookings, and after this, clients are introduced to gorilla trekking rules and regulations.
Some of these can be seen below:
- Keep a distance of at least 7 meters from mountain gorillas.
- Do not litter in the jungle.
- Speak in a low tone while in the presence of gorillas.
- Avoid direct eye contact with gorillas.
- Do not use flash photography, as it can irritate gorillas and might cause them to charge.
- Stay within your group while in the jungle.
Gorilla trekking starts after the briefing and can take between 2 to 7 hours, depending on the hikers’ pace and the location of the gorilla family.
A group of only eight healthy people is allowed to trek mountain gorillas.
While in the presence of mountain gorillas, all visitors are expected to follow the gorilla trekking rules and regulations.
Visitors who do not follow the rules will be isolated from the group to avoid issues.
Gorilla trekking involves hiking through tropical rainforests, which can sometimes take hours, depending on the location and movement of the gorillas.
Tourists need to be physically fit and should bring waterproof hiking boots, gardening gloves, plenty of drinking water, energy snacks, insect repellent, warm and long-sleeved clothes, jackets, and raincoats.
For a more detailed packing list, it is advisable to contact your Volcanoes tour operator.
Rwanda Gorilla Permits
Gorilla permits should be booked 3 to 6 months in advance, especially if traveling during the high and peak seasons.
You can book gorilla permits directly with the Rwanda Development Board, the body responsible for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, or you can use a trusted travel operator (recommended) like the ones listed here.
Rwanda currently has the most expensive gorilla permits compared to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda gorilla permits cost $1,500 per person per trek.
A 30% discount is given to tourists visiting other Rwandan national parks for 3 days or more during the low season (November to April). The discounted price is $1,050 per person per trek.
A 15% discount is given to conference guests, who pay $1,275 for pre-stay and post-event MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events to see gorillas.
Private gorilla trekking with an exclusive personalized tour guide service costs $15,000 for an entire group.
For a minimum of three visitors trekking for three consecutive days, the fee is $30,000.
If a visitor shows any signs of illness prior to their gorilla trekking encounter, 50% of the gorilla trekking fee will be refunded.
You must be over 15 years of age to obtain a gorilla trekking permit. Children younger than this will not be allowed to trek gorillas in Rwanda.
In Uganda, it may be possible if an indemnity form is signed, consenting for their underage children to join the trek.
History
Volcanoes National Park was gazetted in 1925 to protect mountain gorillas from poachers and included areas of Mount Karisimbi, Mount Mikeno, and Mount Bisoke.
The borders of the park were later extended in 1929 to include the Belgian Congo, forming Albert National Park.
Volcanoes National Park was one of the first gazetted national parks in Africa in 1929, covering an area of 8,090 square kilometers.
It was then run by the Belgian colonial authorities. In 1958, 700 hectares of the park were cleared for human settlement.
Between 1969 and 1973, 1,050 hectares of land were cleared to grow pyrethrum. Volcanoes National Park later became a base for the famous American primatologist Dian Fossey.
This is where she carried out her research and study on mountain gorillas.
Dian Fossey later established the Karisoke Research Institute and is credited with the increase in the mountain gorilla population today.
She dedicated her life to the conservation of gorillas, which ultimately led to her death in 1985.
Fossey was murdered in her cabin and is buried in the park, close to the mountain gorillas that became her lifetime companions.
The headquarters of Volcanoes National Park was attacked in 1992 during the Rwandan Civil War.
The Karisoke Research Center was abandoned, and gorilla trekking was halted at that time.
The headquarters were later renovated in 1999 when safety was declared. Trekking mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park remains safe to this day.
Location
Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda. It covers the districts of Musanze, Nyabihu, Burera, and Rubavu.
The park can be reached within a 2 to 3-hour drive from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda.
Private chartered flights and helicopters are also available for hire.
The short distance between PNV and Rwanda’s main point of entry, Kigali International Airport, is one of the primary reasons why tourists prefer trekking gorillas in Rwanda.
In fact, you can arrive early in the morning, drive to Volcanoes National Park, trek gorillas, and return to the airport in time for your departure flight.
Best Time to Visit PNV
Volcanoes National Park can be visited all year round, but some months are better than others. Visiting from June to mid-September and December to February is highly recommended.
These are the dry seasons in Rwanda and are considered the best times to trek mountain gorillas because the bushes are less dense, and the weather is ideal for trekking.
The wet seasons from March to May and mid-September to November are not the best months because the trekking trails are muddy and slippery, and the bushes are thick, making it harder to traverse.
However, the advantage of trekking in the wet season is that you can get discounted gorilla permits if you’re visiting all three national parks in Rwanda.
Some hotels also offer discounted accommodation rates during this time.
Accommodation – Where to Stay
There are several accommodation and lodging options at Volcanoes National Park, ranging from luxury to budget choices.
Your accommodation will depend on your budget and preferences.
Some of the accommodation facilities in Volcanoes National Park include Kinigi Guest House, Villa Gorilla, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorillas’ Nest Lodge, Faraja Hotel, Best View Hotel, Garden Palace Hotel, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, and Hotel Muhabura, among others.
Hiking Volcanoes
Rwanda is home to 5 of the 8 Virunga Volcano Mountains. These include Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura.
Hiking to the top of these volcanoes is a fascinating experience, with each mountain offering unique, spectacular peak views and stunning scenery along the way.
Of the five Virunga Volcano Mountains, only Mount Muhabura, Mount Karisimbi, and Mount Bisoke can be hiked from Volcanoes National Park.
Mount Sabyinyo and Mount Gahinga can only be hiked from the Ugandan side, in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Cultural Encounters
You can enhance your trip to Volcanoes National Park by visiting the local communities.
This can be done either before or after trekking mountain gorillas, depending on your package.
The Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village in Musanze town is a great place to visit for an authentic cultural experience.
You can engage in community walks, brew local beer, participate in subsistence farming, weave baskets, and prepare local meals, among other activities.
Tourists can also visit a traditional palace where they can choose to be Queen or King for a day and be dressed in royal traditional attire.
The King or Queen will not only be entertained by the locals with traditional dances and songs but also treated as royalty.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden Monkey Trekking is another fantastic activity that can be done in Volcanoes National Park. Golden monkeys are an endangered species that live in the Virunga Mountains alongside mountain gorillas.
These primates are fascinating to watch, as they move in large groups, are easier to access, and have cheaper permits compared to mountain gorillas.
Dian Fossey Grave
Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who dedicated her life to conserving mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Her contributions to gorilla conservation are still evident today, making her a true hero.
Fossey confiscated poacher snares, treated orphaned gorillas, and established the Karisoke Research Institute/Center.
Her work greatly contributed to the increase in the mountain gorilla population.
Fossey was murdered in her cabin in 1985 and was buried with her beloved gorillas in a cemetery near the research center.
You can hike up to the Karisoke Research Center and visit her grave while in Volcanoes National Park.
If you are American and have trekked gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, consider visiting Dian Fossey’s grave to pay your respects, as she is a significant reason you were able to experience gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
A hiking permit to Fossey’s grave costs $75 for foreign non-residents.
Wrapping It Up
In conclusion, visiting this park is a fantastic experience, but only when you choose the right tour operator to organize your safari in Rwanda.
We have highlighted a trusted list of Volcanoes tour operators you can contact for a well-organized trip.