Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, Gorilla Trekking Safaris & Tours

Welcome to Volcanoes  National Park  Rwanda travel portal,an authentic guide  featuring useful information concerning  on gorilla trekking in Rwanda,Volcanoes National Park Map, Visa Application, how to book gorilla permits, how to get there, Trusted Tour operators, when to visit & tour. Find the complete information guide to guide you during the visit to Volcanoes National Park the most reliable national park for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is known to be one of the parks that are located with in the virunga Mountains in Africa. It is one of the most loved mountain gorillas in Virunga Massif and the most visited park in Africa part from Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park  and to understand the gorilla trekking experience difference its recommended to visit both parks with reliable Rwanda Safari Company. Rwanda Volcanoes national park lies in the North western and borders Virunga National park in Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga national park in Uganda. It has two active volcanic mountains and it is one of the last sanctuaries where we find mountain gorillas.

It is also known as Haven for the rare and endangered mountain Gorillas and Golden monkeys and also a home for Buffaloes,Forest elephants, spotted hyenas, buck fronted duiker and bush bark.

Gorilla Safari Information for Visitors to Rwanda Volcanoes national Park

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The national park is known as a haven for the rare and endangered mountain gorilla and golden monkeys along side other hiking tours to various mountains like Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo), and spans 160 km2 covered in rain forest and bamboo. The park was the base for the zoologist Dian Fossey.

Planning to go gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national Park Rwanda , Select Rwanda Gorilla Safari company as your travel planner to ensure the memorable gorilla trekking experience which can be added with Golden Monkey, which can be done in 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Tours which will require you to secure the gorilla permit costing USD 1500 and find the best gorilla group to trek depending on the level of your fitness as some safari companies have started a project for Elder Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

When to visit Volcanoes National Park Rwanda .

Rwanda is well known for its favorable climate all year round but the best time to visit the Volcanoes National park is between December to march(most preferred) because it’s along dry season when the weather is favorable(morning and nights are less cold)  and it is recommended for better wildlife viewing and  hiking a terrain in the rain forest .since there are two dry season, one can also visit  during the period between July to September. Although the weather is an equatorial climate, it is advisable you carry a waterproof raincoat even during these drier seasons

Getting around Rwanda Volcanoes National Park

Getting around Volcanoes National Park, its located in the deep jungles of thousand hills and its only accessed by 4×4 Fleets. There is just one 4×4 “road” leading from kigali to musanze and later to the deep hills of the volcanoes where gorilla trekking starts.

With our year round temperate climate, your decision about Rwanda Gorilla Trekking as the whole year around Safari Activity done as result of Accessibility of the Volcanoes National Park? will not so much be based on the weather but more about the experiences and adventures you wish to have.Rwanda is experiencing both dry and wet seasons but in the Volcanoes forests, it can rain any time of the day and month.

Volcanoes National Park has various gorilla families in different locations however gorilla briefing is done in the same location, and visitors drive to different starting point for gorilla trekking adventure.

Rwanda Volcanoes National Park is located in  Musanze previously well-known as Ruhengeri, which is very accessible by public transport from Gisenyi or Kigali or from the airport. The drive from Kigali & Gisenyi  to Volcanoes national park is 2 hrs and hence one can do gorilla trekking on the same day and drive back to Kigali after the trek as the same case for Golden Monkey tracking.

Where to Stay , Safari Lodges & Hotels, Accommodations in Volcanoes National Park

For the Moment Visitors to Volcanoes  national park should be a ware that its among the top developed gorilla trekking park in Africa where various lodging , Hotel and accommodations facilities are available to travelers , Once you have conceptualized that you gorilla trekking in Volcanoes , Select the best lodges which are located in close proximity, find a list of all lodges recommended are found in Musanze  town the nearest town located south of Kigali the capital city.  Go gorilla trekking in Rwanda  to enjoy the true experience of watching the world’s largest primates called Mountain gorillas which can only be spotted in four national parks including Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.

Rwanda Safari Agents

Planning a Rwanda safari ? why not prepare a Africa Safari Vacation to  through trusted tour operators which can arrange Gorilla Trekking safaris to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda,Volcanoes national park is one of the best safari destination in Africa for Watching the Mountains gorillas in Africa.  The Forest covering predominates in the central and northern part of the park on the raised Virunga Mountains & plateau. Find a list of trusted Tour operators that can arrange Rwanda safaris to Volcanoes National Park.

What to Wear on a Rwanda Gorilla  Tour.

Hiking  through the Volcanoes National Park Rwanda requires some basic equipment to ensure you can transport sufficient liquids, protect yourself from the flora and fauna and can safely navigate the terrain. If you hope to get the most out of your  Rwanda safari tour, then all the attention should be focused on your surroundings rather than on you. The best way to achieve this is by going neutral with your clothing for your memorable gorilla trekking adventure holiday. find the complete packing list / Highly Recommended,Day pack or other wearable bag to carry water, snacks and camera (plus extra memory cards and film, as well as a spare battery if possible), Long sleeve shirt, Long pants,Sturdy hiking shoes or boots (preferably waterproof), you can probably rent boots from the hotel, Bug repellent with DEET,Socks that can allow you to tuck your pants into them or hiking gaiters (to protect from red ants)–if you’re staying at a local hotel, you can probably rent these from the hotel, At least 1 – 2 liters of water.

Rwanda Gorilla Permits

Mountain Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park will require you to secure the gorilla trekking permit  and  Prices to obtain permit  to view Mountain Gorillas (May 2017): Residents, non-residents, Students E.A.C citizens $1500. How much discount can you get on gorilla permits? You can get up to 30% discount! There discounted permits options starts from November to May during the low season if you are to visit three other activities in the same or other parks prior to gorilla trekking.

History About Volcanoes national Park Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park  was the very first National Park to be created in Africa. It lies in the north western part of Rwanda bordering the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
This park was part of the larger Albert National Park, created in 1925 to protect the mountain gorillas. The park is surrounded by the Virunga mountains including Karisimbi, Visoke and Mikeno

Volcanoes National Park is an extraordinary park in Rwanda, full of impressive tropical rain forest and volcanic scenery, Gorilla trekking, and is perhaps the best place in the world to see the rare mountain gorillas, In the heart of East Africa, “so high up that you shiver more than you sweat,” wrote the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey, “are great, old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest – the Virungas”. Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, the Parc des Volcans protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range – home of the rare mountain gorilla – and the rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.

Watching the Primates in Volcanoes national Park

You will know you have reached the staging area when additional park trackers join your group. At this point you will need to leave all bags and walking sticks with the porters but will be allowed to take cameras with you. A final hike (around 200 meters) and you should be in the presence of the primates. After the one hour visit you return to the staging area where you left your belongings and prepare to hike out to the starting point, other recommended  safari type to visit Volcanoes national Park ,Gorilla Trekking, Golden Monkey Trekking, Hike to Dian Fossey , Musanze Caves , community tourism,  Hike to Volcano Creator Lake.

How is the Actual Day of Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

The Morning Of Gorilla Trekking, Both Gorilla & Golden trekking options start at the park headquarters at 7:00 am. You will need to register yourself (or your driver / guide may complete this on your behalf). There is tea and coffee served in the main shelter and some days there is a dance presentation given by the local cultural center (this typically starts around 6:45 am). The park guides will place individuals into trekking groups based on ability and your preference for which group to visit. This process takes 30-40 minutes during which you can walk around the grounds or relax in the main shelter. After the assignments are made your driver / guide will direct you to a location on the lawn where your trekking group will assemble. Once all members are assembled the park guide will go over some basic information and have you fill out a form with your name, nationality, etc. The form has a location for passport number and permit number but these are not required (the form is for information gathering only). The park guide will give you an introduction to the group you will be visiting along with showing you a diagram of the gorilla group’s family tree. Once this initial introduction is complete (10-15 minutes) you will find your driver and proceed to the starting point for your trek.

The Gorilla Trekking Experience starting point, Your driver will take you to the starting point of the trek (there are multiple entry points into the park) which can be a trip of 20-45 minutes sometimes on very poor roads. Once you have reached the entry point parking lot your trekking group will reassemble with your park guide and secondary guide. Additional instructions will be given and you will be offered a walking stick for the trek. In addition, this is when you can hire a porter. The porters are all wearing the same blue coveralls and there is a defined order in which porters are selected. Ask your driver or the park guide if you want to hire a porter and they will signal to a porter to give you a hand. It is recommended you use a porter if you have any bags or other equipment as the hike can be long, steep or through difficult terrain. Also, it is an important way to support the local economy and help incentivise anti-poaching efforts. You will pay/tip the porter at the end of the trek.

Your starting position will be outside the park and depending on the starting position you may have to hike up to an hour to actually get to the park boundary which is marked with a stone wall. The area before the park is typically made up of farming fields.

Once you reach the park boundary additional instructions will be given about how to behave around the primates such as restrictions on eating, drinking, smoking and bathroom breaks.

The trek inside the park boundary varies depending on the location of your group and may include steep climbs, movement through a bamboo forest or hacking through thick brush.

Mountaineering Safaris to Africa.

Hiking adventures are common in Central Africa and East Africa including hiking to various mountains like Rwenzori Mountains , Itombwe Mountains, Virunga Mountains, Nyiragongo Mountains , Nyamuragira Mountains all in Central Africa in Democratic Republic of congo.