Volcanoes National Park – Your Gateway to Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is one of Rwanda’s most iconic destinations, world-famous for mountain gorilla trekking and breathtaking volcanic landscapes. Located in the north of Rwanda, the park is home to lush forests, scenic volcanoes, and unique wildlife experiences that attract travelers from around the world.

Car Hire for Volcanoes National Park

A 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended when visiting Volcanoes National Park, especially during the rainy season. Well-maintained 4×4 cars provide better comfort and safety on mountain roads and park access routes. For travelers who prefer stress-free travel, chauffeur-driven cars are available with experienced drivers who know the area well.

Gorilla Trekking Experience

Gorilla trekking is the highlight of Volcanoes National Park. Visitors are guided by professional rangers through the forest to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This once-in-a-lifetime experience also includes encounters with golden monkeys, rich birdlife, and stunning volcanic scenery.

Volcanoes National Park is one of the must-visit parks once you visit Rwanda. The park is nestled between Virunga National Park in Congo and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. It is situated in Northwestern Rwanda and the park is famous for being the home of Gorillas — an endangered wildlife species which is only located in Rwanda, Congo and Uganda. While moving through this dense forested park, you will hear other chants of monkeys and several wildlife species which inhabit the park with Volcanoes National Park.

This park hosts five Virunga mountains and is part of the Virunga conservation area. Muhabura (4,127 m), Gahinga (3,474 m), Bisoke (3,711 m), Sabyinyo (3,674 m), and Karisimbi — the highest volcano — are the five mountains located within the park. The park’s ecosystem, which is mainly bamboo forest, swamp and heath, is one factor why the park has been able to conserve the mountain gorillas with Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is the predominant activity. Tourists from around the world visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking. One reason why gorilla trekking in Rwanda is favored compared to Uganda and Congo is that it is possible to do trekking within a single day: you can drive from Kigali early in the morning to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking and come back the same day to Kigali. Although there are many gorillas, only those which have been habituated are trekked. There are about 10 habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park:

1. The Susa gorilla group

2. Amohoro gorilla group

3. Sabyinyo gorilla group

4. Umubano gorilla group

5. Karisimbi gorilla group

6. Hirwa gorilla group

7. Kwitonda gorilla group

8. (unnamed) group

9. Ugenda gorilla group

10. Bwenge gorilla group 

Golden Monkey Tracking

Golden monkeys are also an endangered species and these animals are readily available to trek in Volcanoes National Park. The price of trekking golden monkeys is cheaper compared to gorilla trekking with Volcanoes National Park

Mount climbing adventures

Because the park contains several mountains, you can dedicate your tour to hiking around them. One of the common climbing routes is to the summit of Mount Karisimbi, which is the highest mountain in the park with Volcanoes National Park

Visiting the Dian Fossey tombs

Dian Fossey — one of the best-known anthropologists whose work was devoted to protecting gorillas — is buried in this park, a place she used to call home. Because of her conservation efforts, you can take a tour to her tomb as part of your Volcanoes National Park activities.

It is possible to visit Volcanoes National Park by either air transport or road transport. If you prefer road transport, you can always hire a car — e.g. with Kigali Car Rentals Rwanda — to reach Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.