Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Information, Travel Tips, Advice and Things to do and See in Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

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Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) – the most famous destination in Rwanda, lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The park was first gazetted in 1925, as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Visoke and Mikeno, intended to protect the gorillas from poachers. It was the very first National Park to be created in Africa. The park later became the base for the American naturalist/zoologist Dian Fossey to carry out her research into the gorillas in 1967 who later set up the Karisoke Research Centre between Karisimbi and Visoke.

Volcanoes National Park is about two hours from Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. The drive to the park will make it obvious why Rwanda is referred to as the “land of a thousand hills.” Locals cultivate the lush green hills where the gorilla treks begin, and there are five volcanoes in the park.

Volcanoes National Park has become synonymous with mountain gorilla tracking safaris and no visit to the country would be complete without visiting these majestic primates. The national park is known as a haven for the mountain gorilla. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo), which are covered in rainforest and bamboo.

Gorilla Tracking / Trekking – Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Without question, trekking through dense jungle for an encounter with one of mans closest relative will be the highlight of your visit to Rwanda, – Gorilla trekking is fantastic experience and definitely one for the bucket list if you like animals. The gorilla trekking day is professionally run, well organized with knowledgeable employees who genuinely love their job. The hike itself is awesome…read more »»

Golden Monkey Visits /Tracking – Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Dian Fossey – Research Camp and Gravesite Hike – Volcanoes National Park

Dian Fossey (Jan. 16, 1932 – Dec. 26, 1985) was an American zoologist, primatologist, and anthropologist who undertook an extensive study of gorilla groups over a period of 18 years. In 1967, she arrived in Rwanda in order to carry out an extensive study of the gorillas in the mountain forests. Her 1983 book, Gorillas in the Mist, combines her scientific study of the mountain gorilla at Karisoke Research Center with her own personal story. It was adapted into a 1988 film “Gorillas in the Mist”. Fossey was murdered in 1985; the case remains open….read more »»

Mount Binsoke (Vinsoke) Volcano Hike – Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Mount Bisoke (also Visoke), a dormant volcano, is located within Volcanoes National Park, and forms part of the Virunga mountain range bordering on DRC but the summit is located in Rwanda. It is approximately a 3 hr drive from Kigali and about 35 km northeast of the town of Goma and adjacent Lake Kivu. Mt. Bisoke brings out the perfect shape of a typical volcano right from its base…..read more »»

Karisimbi Volcano Hike –Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

The Karisimbi mountain name in Kinyarwanda means “white shell”, which refers to the white-capped summit which is often seen. Karisimbi is the fifth highest mountain of Africa. This is a strenuous 2 day hike. The climb will start early in the morning and takes 6 hours. You will climb further via the Bisoke side, trekking through some very thick jungle surrounded by stunning scenery. You need to be in good shape with the right kit and you camp at 3700m overnight before the final summit push…read more »»

Mount Muhabura Hike – Volcanoes National Park

Mount Muhabura, also known as Mount Muhavura (on the Ugandan side), is an extinct volcano in the Virunga Mountains on the border between Rwanda and Uganda. Standing tall as the second highest peak in the Volcanoes National Park and the third highest of the eight major mountains of the mountain range…read more »»

Lake Ngezi Trail

The Ngezi trail is the shortest trail in the Volcanoes National park and leads to a small scenic lake nestled in a volcanic depression at the foot of Mount Bisoke. The hike to this lake requires about 3 hours since it is steep from the departure point to reach the summit and is not physically demanding. The walk around the lake is also usually suggested and in total one would have to use about 7 hours.

The trail offers scenic views over the Congolese parts of the Virunga range where the forests are much larger. The lake is small, shallow and the easiest hike in the park. The fee for the Ngezi trek is currently USD$ 55 per person. Trek Permits can be purchased at the Park headquarters at Kinigi at 07:00am on the day of the excursion and no advance booking is necessary. From Kinigi visitors are driven to the trek start site in the forest. Porters can as well be hired for the trek.

Burera and Ruhondo Twin Lake Trek

These are usually birding stop centers and they could also offer boat cruises to the islands of Ruhondo and Burera. While on some of these cruises one would enjoy the breath taking landscape get to see the wetland habitat for birds as well. Their deep blue water is surrounded by high hills and from these come immense waterfalls that decorate volcanoes in a spectacular manner. Through splendid excursions in the “land of a thousand hills”, you discover unforgettable beauty, sublime colors and a fantastic universe of Lakes Burera, Ruhondo and Kivu where many merry children burst into laughter.

It’s also pleasant going local in Red Rocks community which is located about 8 km out of Musanze / spending time with locals, learn about their traditional crafts, brewing banana beer etc