[vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs][vc_tta_section title=”Overview” tab_id=”1535540137699-4cc5b2a2-6f12″][vc_single_image image=”3688″ img_size=”full” alignment=”right”][vc_column_text]Traveler’s guide to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
All you need to know about; trekking safaris to watch gorillas in Rwanda ,how to book gorilla permits, Other attractions in the park, What to wear for Gorilla Trekking, Gorilla groups in Rwanda, Best time to visit Rwanda for Accommodation in Rwanda and so much more. A gorilla tour to Volcanoes national park is purely a life changing adventure which reward travelers with close encounter to the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.
The national park is a stop centre to see and interact with the critically endangered mountain gorillas sheltering the highest number of gorillas in the Virunga Conservation area. The strategic location of the VNP roughly 2 hours drive form Kigali international Airport makes it a best stop to trek Human’s closest relatives. Besides gorillas, Volcanoes National park is a home for golden monkeys, a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects among other creatures which together make a complete Rwanda safari package.
Spanning on a 160 sqkm area in the northern part of Rwanda, Volcanoes national park is part of the great Virunga Volcano Conservation region spanning to cover Virunga national park Congo and Mgahinga national park Uganda. It was initially a small area around Karisimbi, Mikeno and Visoke volcanoes which was gazetted to protect the Mountain gorillas which were facing the threat of extinction as a result of poaching.
In 1929, the park was extended into Rwanda and the then Belgian Congo and was named Albert national park managed and run by the Belgian Colonial Authorities. During early 1960s, the park was divided as Rwanda and Congo gained their independence and by the end of that decade, the park was almost half of its original size.
In 1967, the American zoologist Dian Fossey who had been doing research on mountain Gorillas in the forests of Congo fled from insecurity and established her research base at a place between Visoke and Karisimbi volcanoes that was yet to be known as Karisoke research center. She spearheaded the conservation campaign of the mountain gorillas and mobilized resources to fight against poaching in this area, a fight she put up until her murder in 1985. She was buried at the research center next to the grave of her favorite gorilla called Digit.
The park continued to suffer at the mercies of poachers though conservation efforts were also under way. In early 1990s, the park became a battle field for the Rwanda’s civil war which paralyzed tourism activities until 1999. In 2005, in a bid to boost conservation and gorilla safaris in Volcanoes national park , Rwanda introduced the annual baby naming ceremony for baby gorillas known as ‘Kwita Iziina’ which has seen great results in as far as gorilla population in volcanoes is concerned.
Volcanoes national park is home to Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei); golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta), buffaloes (Syncerus caffer), elephants , black-fronted duiker (Cephalophus niger), and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus). The park also harbors 178 bird species including at least 29 endemics to Rwenzori mountains and the Virungas.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Activities” tab_id=”1535540137782-f2f4fb2a-7451″][vc_column_text]Gorilla Trekking
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s, Gorilla Park. Located in the Virunga Volcanoes that make up Volcanoes National Park which provides a stunning scenic, a backdrop to the gorilla trek of thousands that flock each year to Rwanda to have their one hour with the Mountain Gorillas. There are only three countries in the world where you can see Mountain Gorillas up-close on a Gorilla Trek and one of those countries is presently not safe to visit which leaves only Uganda and Rwanda.
Golden Monkey Tracking
The rare and endangered Golden Monkeys are found only in the Virunga Volcanoes foothills and one of the best places to track and see them is Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. There are several large groups of Golden Monkeys that have been habituated for visitors, to see them flit about in the bamboo forest regions of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Since they have become habituated in the Park, Golden Monkey Tracking has become a most popular activity.
Dian Fossey – Research campsite
This 3-hour hike is for those who have seen “Gorillas in Mist” movie about the life of Dian Fossey and her research camp in the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda. See the graves of her beloved Gorillas and her final resting place among them. There are also the ruins of her former Karisoke Research Center and home that she referred to as a mausoleum. The hike itself is quite scenic and wildlife, monkeys, birds are often observed along the trail.
Volcano Hikes and climbs 
Volcanoes National Park offers visitors some of the best options in Climbing and Hiking up its Volcanoes. There are day hikes and climbs and also an overnight hike on Mount Karisimbi which is a snow-capped Volcano in Rwanda. The Mount Karisimbi climb is a real challenge and often one is pelleted by rain snow and has to deal with ice on the ground. For the outdoor – adventurist this is a heaven filled with amazing sights, amazing challenges and passing through various vegetation zones including the most interesting Afro-Montane Zone.
Twin Lakes of Burera
Visit Rwanda’s scenic lakes of Burera – Ruhondo . You can take a walk to the view – point – an afternoon cruise on Lake Ruhondo – preferably toward sunset. This is outside of Volcanoes National Park.
On arrival, you have the choice of taking a three-hour hike to Russumo Falls. Follow your guide along a most scenic trail through a beautiful valley before coming upon some impressive waterfalls.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Location” tab_id=”1535544579186-ff85e494-d7d9″][vc_gmaps link=”#E-8_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”][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row]
