Volcanoes National Park

About Parc Volcanoes

Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcano (PNV) is located in the south eastern part of Rwanda extending for over 160km². The park has a very unique Afro-montane appearance and its size is the most outstanding on East and Central Africa. Parc National des Volcano reopened for tourism in June 1993, but it was evacuated in April 1994 because of the genocide and in 1995, but later reopened for tourism.

The enlivening hike to the gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo forest offers implausible sights in all directions, before the trackers are absorbed in the strange closeness of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and the prattling of rare golden monkey.

Popular Attractions/Activities.

Gorillas and golden monkey’s are the leading attractions in the park. Over 70-plus species have been recorded in Volcanoes National Park, most of which probably only occur in the larger section of the Virungas.  Elephant and buffalo are still quite common; judging by the amount of spoor encountered on forest trails, but is very timid and infrequently observed.

Other spotted attractions include the giant forest hog, bush pig, bushbuck, black-fronted duiker, spotted hyena, and several varieties of small predator including the massive yellow-backed duiker and leopard.

Wild Gorilla tracking.

Only in Parc Volcanoes in Rwanda tourist can do Gorilla trekking and has remains the most popular in the park, almost a daily number of 30-40 permits are issued out for gorilla tracking.

Interesting Visitors can do golden monkey watching in Parc Volcanoes, this trekking is much rewarding. It is also possible to visit Dian Fossey’s tomb and the adjacent gorilla cemetery at the former Karisoke Research Camp.

Volcano Hiking

This adventure trek involves climb through the forest takes from 90 minutes to three hours, depending on your fitness and how often you stop to enjoy the scenery and wildlife watching

Birding.

With a total of 180 bird  species, in Rwanda Volcanoes is  noted to be the birding paradise since 2004 biodiversity survey, Unique bird species include the vulnerable swamp-dwelling Grauer’s rush  warbler, and other  Albertine Rift endemic are present, including handsome francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori double collared sunbird, strange weaver, dusky crimson-wing, collared apalis, red-faced woodland warbler and Archer’s ground robin.

Logging facilities.

Rwanda’s Volcano Gorilla Park has got a few accommodation setups surrounding. High profile visitors can choose to stay at Governor’s Camp Silverback, Gorilla Nest Lodge, and Gorilla view Lodge and the Virunga Lodge all with the vicinity of the park headquarters. Budget travelers can enjoy comfort at Muhabura hotel, Gisagura guest house as well as Kinigi guest house.

How to get there

The most accessible route to Volcanoes Park is via Musanze formerly known as Ruhengere, which can easily be reached on public transport from Gisenyi. From Uganda we cross the border from Chanika side and drive a few kilometres to Ruhengere

When to Visit

All year round