To the north lies the volcanoes national park, which protects the Rwandan portion of the virunga mountains, a trans frontier conservation area that includes protected areas in Uganda and the DRC and forms a complex of mostly dormant volcanoes, it includes Rwanda’s highest point, mount karisimbi (4,507 m), and the two active volcanoes, mount Nyirangongo and mount Nyamuragira.
The Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda boasts almost 100 bird species but is more famous for being home to world’s last remaining mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Although visited predominantly for the mountain gorillas, there are several other tourism sites and opportunities in the park and surrounding area. There is a chance to climb to the mount Bisoke’s beautiful crater lake or even the hike to the summit of the Karimbi mountain, the 5th highest mountain of Africa.
The often neglected twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo and the nearby Rugezi swamp are recognized for their excellent water birding opportunities. With in the area there are a number of community based tourism tours on offer, for example: visiting villages, agric-production plants, an ethno botany tour or even a group of local fishermen using traditional methods, or simply sit back and take in the breath taking scenery of the area.
The Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and boarders the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The volcanoes national park is known as a haven for the mountain gorilla. Its a home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo). It is 160 sq. km covered in rainforest and bamboo. The park wa s the base for the zoologist Dian Fossey. More so the park was gazetted to protect the mountain gorillas which were facing the threat of extinction.
In 1967, the American zoologist Dian Fossey a researcher 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. 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 tours 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);
- Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta),
- Elephants
- Black-fronted duiker (Cephalophus niger)
- Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) among others.
The park also harbors 178 bird species including at least 29 endemics to Rwenzori Mountains and the Virungas Near the park, the bustling and vibrant markets of Musanze are a place to immerse yourself into everyday Rwandan culture.
ACTIVITIES DONE IN THE PARK
Gorilla trekking
Trekking these endangered mountain gorillas on the slopes of virunga volcanoes is a magical and memorable experience. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda experiences is coming close with the peaceful eyes of Mountain Gorillas, as they chew on bamboo shoots, communicate, swing on tree branches, and interact in their natural environment. Actually, this is one of Africa’s undeniable best travel things to see. There are 8 habituated Gorilla groups living in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, and the uncommon golden monkeys, a variety of bird species, buffaloes and elephants. Gorilla watching is the top tourist activity for anyone interested in Rwanda Safaris.
Expert guides give a pre-trek briefing on specific protocols and rules for visiting the gorillas that live within an altitude of 2500 and 4000m. The main base for gorilla tracking, Ruhengeri is a bustling market town situated 15km from the base of the Virungas. Boasting a wonderful sub-montane setting, and an excellent range of cheap to mid range hotels, Ruhengeri is an agreeable place to spend the night before one goes gorilla tracking, as well as being the obvious base from which to explore the little-known but compellingly beautiful Lakes Burera and Ruhondo. Alternatively, visitors seeking a higher level of comfort can base themselves in Gisenyi or Kigali.
Bird watching
The park holds a rich avifauna which includes many of the Albertine Rift endemics. Three globally threatened species namely; Lagden’s Bush-shrike, African Green Broadbill, and Kivu Ground Thrush. In addition, 17 of the 25 species of the Albertine Rift Mountains Endemic Bird Area and 53 of the 74 species of the Afrotropical Highlands biome that occur in Rwanda have been recorded at the site.
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkey trekking takes place in Volcanoes national park and at the same time 7:00am just like gorillas. These rare species are also listed as endangered – and Volcanoes national park currently has two habituated golden monkeys’ troops that are available for visiting by tourists in the park, both of which make about 80 members.
Golden monkeys in Rwanda live in the bamboo vegetation towards the base of the volcanoes and habituation has helped them to overcome their initial shyness to accept their daily visit by researchers and tourists. Trekking golden monkeys and gorillas is a similar experience – in a small group of not more than eight people, and you can spend one hour with the monkeys once you find them. They are very active creatures, and jump from tree to tree which is really interesting but a little difficult to photograph! The golden monkey trek is worth going for while in Volcanoes National Park and if you’re interested in wildlife, this is a rare and delightful experience not to be missed!
Musanze caves
These caves date back 65 million years and lie within the volcanic region where lava flow layers long ago created the Albertine rift valley. The caves offer easy hiking and the brilliant views of cascading lights from the surface, unique rock formations and the colony of bats.
Iby’lwacu cultural village
This is a living museum which highlights aspects of traditional Rwanda society. Visitors can expect to be greeted by thunderous drumming and hospitality. The village features hands on activities related to the rituals and ways of life in the ancient Rwandan kingdom.the village also offers extended trips into the country side.
Hike to the Dian fossey grave site
Hiking to the Dian Fossey Tomb is one of the most sought after safari activities carried out while visiting Volcanoes national park for a gorilla trip. The trek involves a 30 minutes’ drive from the park headquarters to the trail head to access the Karisoke research camp where visitors walk for 10 minutes to the park boundary. The walk from the park boundary to the research center where the Dian’s grave is, takes about an hour to one and half hours and gives good views of forest hogs, forest elephants, a variety of primates and bird species.
This hike is an incredible experience physically, emotionally and intellectually. It is so inspiring to learn about someone who was so dedicated and left a legacy that exists even today. The hike involves moving through the forests and hiking up the slopes and therefore requires some relative degree of fitness and patience. At the site is the house from where Dian Fossey was mysteriously murdered in 1985 but the more peaceful is the place where she was buried just next to her favorite gorilla friend, Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas either killed by poachers or suffered death for other reasons.
Accessibility
The main airport in Rwanda is Kigali International Airport. It is located 10 km East of the centre. Kigali currently receives direct flights from Nairobi, Entebbe, Bujumbura, Addis Ababa, Kilimanjaro, Brazaville, Douala, Libreville, Mombasa, Mwanza, Brussels, Amsterdam, Dar es Salaam, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Juba, Lagos, Lusaka, Doha and Dubai. It is also possible to take a bus from neighboring countries like Uganda Tanzania and Kenya