Volcanoes National Park is most sought of due to its resident species the mountain gorilla. It is located in the northern part of Rwanda in Musaze, the park forms part of the great Virunga volcanic region shared among Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo five of the volcanic mountains that make up the eight series are found here mountain Karismibi being the highest, Bisoke, Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhabura. The bio diverse ecosystem is home to quite a good number of animal species and birds including the critically endangered golden monkeys. The national park has for times faced fear of depletion due to the consistent poaching activities, it was a renowned place divided from the Congo parks. Featuring the park on the movie gorillas in the mist” led to its fame and being known to the world, and the great research works of the American primatologist Dian Fossey. The home to primates covers an area space of approximately 160sqaure kilometers and was gazette as a way of protecting the endangered gorilla species that call this home.
The Volcanoes National Park has been made famous by the number of mountains gorillas living in the park, it hoist 30% of the world’s remaining population of the mountain gorilla species, they live within the national park freely within the conservation area without being captivated, the green forest bamboo forest, montane forest, under growth in the park, wetlands, marshy swampy areas offer habitat to several other species that call this home including forest buffaloes, mountain duikers, elephants, birds, spotted hyenas, microorganisms, primates all this combined makeup a great destination of visit. There are major volcanoes of the 8 great series of the Virunga region, Karisimbi (4507m), Bisoke (3711m), Gahinga (3474m), Sabyinyo (3634m), Muhabura (4127m), some of these are shared among the neighbours of Rwanda’. These present an opportunity to hike to the highest peak of the forested area zones passing through angelic vegetative covers.
Popular most thing to do in Volcanoes National Park is mountain gorilla trekking, this takes place early in the morning beginning from the park headquarters, mountain gorillas are characterized by their fur thick bodies by male silver back, the time taken to track gorilla depends on how far the Families have moved, tracking is done in groups of eight per gorilla family and there are only 10 habituated gorilla groups, implying that one needs to consider buying permits in time to avoid missing out. This is done following gorilla’s rules and regulations that will be explained to you during the briefing. Golden monkey tracking in the park is done in much lower slope of the bamboo forest region, just like the mountain gorilla you will have a perfect hike to find these beautiful creatures. Birding in Volcanoes National Park is not to miss, some. Of the birds that have been recorded here are endemics of the Virunga volcanic region. Experience culture from the Iby’wacu community these love around the ecosystem, they once we’re said to be poachers but gained the love of tourism and are now embracing it through passing their tradition to Tourists that come to visit. Hiking the Dian Fossey trail where she was buried following her mystery death that has remained unsolved to date, the American primatologist was laid to rest together with the mountain gorillas that she loved the most.
Volcanoes National Park is one of the closest conservation areas to the Kigali, it take approximately 2 hours drive to arrive at the destination, helicopter flights can be arranged from the Kigali International Airport, what to pack to when planning a visit to the national park includes warm clothes, gaiters, long sleeved shirts and trousers, insect repellents, back pack, hand gloves, water proof covers for phones and cameras, and may other items of personal nature. The park can be visited all throughout the year best in the dry season between June- Septembers, December-February. The trails of the forest are less slippery and easy to track.