Volcanoes National Park Rwanda; Activities, Map & Gorillas
Volcanoes National Park is located in northwestern Rwanda. It covers over 160 square kilometers and it is famously renowned for its majestic gorillas. The park encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains traversing Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park has a stunning volcanic scenery, including a chain of six extinct and active volcanoes.
The park holds if not the most population of mountain gorillas in east Africa, golden monkeys and a vast variety of bird species.
The park is not only a place of natural beauty abut also a significant wildlife conservation area dedicated to the protection of endangered wild species. Its tourism revenues contribute to numerous funding conservation initiatives and supports local communities. This makes it a key destination for eco-tourism in the region.
Tourist attractions in Volcanoes National Park.
- Mountain gorillas
- The Musanze caves
- Golden monkeys
- The Dian fossey Tomb and Research Centre
- Mountain Bisoke
Amazing Activities to Do in Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla trekking:
This activity is the highlight reel of this national park. Embark on a wonderful adventure in the park encountering and observing mountain gorillas and their ways of life in this natural habitat of theirs.
Trekking gorillas is a guided activity done by experienced tour guides. Enjoy more of this adventure for not less than 1500USD for an all-inclusive 3 day gorilla trekking safari relatively determined by your travel style and accommodation choice.
Golden monkey tracking:
This is a captivating experience where tourists can observe and interact with the endangered golden monkeys in their natural habitat. With guidance from park rangers, be ready to trek through lush bamboo forests plus an opportunity to witness these playful and distinct primates up close. This activity is inclusive on the gorilla trekking fee.
Dian Fossey’s hiking:
Hiking at volcanoes national park is under various notable experiences. At the Dian Fossey be ready to encounter the renowned primatologist plus the Karisoke research Centre. Be ready for further trails including the Karibu center, hiking through the forests, Dian Fossey’s grave and the gorilla graves. Encounter all this for only 75USD.
Mountain climbing:
For the adventurous, consider climbing any of these physical features a challenging and rewarding experience. Notable experiences traverse the mount Bisoke and mount karisimbi. It is essential to engage in mountain climbing under guidance of experienced guides and adhere to park regulations for safety. This adventure is priced at 75USD each person, and you can climb to any meters of your choice depending on your physical fitness and challenge.
Iby’iwacu cultural experience:
This cultural village provides a meaningful way for tourists to connect with natives in the park, cultivating a deeper appreciation for communities nearby and within. Expect traditional dance and music on this tour, traditional hut visit, crafts and artifacts, interactive workshops and cultural demonstrations. A day visit costs 35USD per person inclusive all the above experiences.
Village walk:
Experience the local culture by visiting nearby communities and gaining insights into their traditions and daily life at places like the Iby’iwacu cultural village. You should be ready for the traditional dance music, authentic village setting, crafts and artisans, interactive workshops, cultural demonstrations and many more fun activities on this walk, guided by the best tour guides on this activity.
Volcanoes national park is really a captivating destination. From the thrilling experience of gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking to the implosive hikes up mountains like mount Bisoke, the park provides a unique blend of adventure and natural beauty. Cultural village visits and interactions with local communities, coupled with the chance to explore Dian Fossey’s legacy, add a meaningful cultural dimension. Whether you are an avid wildlife enthusiast, a nature lover, or someone seeking cultural immersion, volcanoes national park truly has something extraordinary to offer.
Accommodation at Volcanoes National Park:
Well to all those interested in a nice and breathtaking accommodation while at the adventurous encounter of what to experience at the volcanoes national park, take note of the best accommodation options within and near the park so that you get your money’s worth on this exhilarating experience.
There are several lodges and accommodation options near and within the volcanoes national park, e.g. luxury lodges, mid-range lodges, budget friendly stays, etc. These lodges vary in terms of style and amenities and pricing. Let’s take a look at the most common types of lodges booked for accommodation under the above genres.
Luxury lodges.
Luxury lodges near and within the volcanoes national park often offer a premium and indulgent experience for travelers.
Specific details about these luxury lodges may vary. The must receive services include exclusive accommodations. Exclusive accommodations detain spacious and well-appointed suites with first class quality furnishings, luxurious beddings and often exclusive terraces.
The best luxury lodge at Volcanoes National Park is notably Sabyinyo Silverback lodge. After a clinical survey denoted by stiff competition from a number of high end accommodation lodges at volcanoes national park, horns blow out to this majestic establishment. It’s the closest luxury lodge to volcanoes national park offering the most convenient access to activities like gorilla trekking.
At Sabyinyo Silverback lodge, you shall be in for fine dining restaurants that focus on local and international cuisine. Luxury lodges offer attentive and personalized services including concierge assistance, butler services and guides for excursions.
The lodge offers the most top end luxury accommodations around volcanoes national park such as exclusive accommodations, gourmet dining, personalized services, spa and wellness facilities, exclusive experiences, privacy and seclusion and nearest scenic locations.
Comfort and exclusivity at this lodge is at the finest money can offer. The cost of a perfectly facilitated day at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is 200 USD per person. The price is inclusive of all amenities, e.g. meals with drinks, safari tea sessions, laundry services and many more delicacies.
Other luxury lodges you could consider at Volcanoes National Park are Virunga lodge and Bisate lodge.
Midrange lodges.
These provide a balance between comfort and affordability. They offer a range of amenities for a comfortable stay without the high end luxury features, such as well-appointed rooms with basic to moderate amenities, on site restaurants offering a variety of meals, access to guided tours and excursions, friendly and helpful staff, and scenic surroundings and proximity to natural attractions.
The best midrange lodge in this category is definitely Mountain Gorilla View lodge. It is often regarded as the most popular mid-range accommodation in the area.
Its lodges are the most comfortable in its class, balancing both comfort and affordability. Its meals are the best in the mid-range class, serving a variety of local and international cuisine.
Its scenic views offer breathtaking views of the Virunga Mountains plus the lodge provides easy access for guests participating in gorilla trekking experiences.
This exceptional lodge charges 140 USD for its perfectly executed accommodation touch to each customers per day. Other great mid-range lodging options around the park are Da Vinci Gorilla lodge, Garden place hotel and Garr Hotel.
Budget friendly stays.
These are more economical options suitable for travelers seeking basic amenities without the frills. These lodges may not offer the same level of luxury as its higher end counterparts. Highlights of this type of lodges include cost effective rooms options with basic furnishings and amenities, shared facilities, on site dining options that focus on local and affordable cuisine and similar to mid-range natural attractions.
The best budget friendly stays lodge pinned by current surveys highlights Le Bambou gorilla lodge as the best budget stay lodge near and within volcanoes national park. It’s situated in Musanze a stone’s throw village from the park.
Its accommodations are the top tier in comparison with its counter parts in the budget friendly stays. Want to experience the best under budget stay lodges, Le Bambou gorilla lodge should be your ideal experience.
At Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, one night accommodation for each person costs 95 USD. Other options you could browse around under this type of lodges are Muhabura Hotel, Villa Gorilla Hotel and Kinigi Guest house.
Note, short proximity to park entrances holds significant advantages for tourists at volcanoes national park such as reduced travel time and logistical hassles, maximized in park time for activities, minimized fatigue while traveling to and from the park, flexibility to adjustments in the itinerary, quicker access to emergency situations in case of un expected situations and essentially easier access to essential services such as ranger stations, information centers or medical facilities.
The close proximity of accommodations to park entrances contributes to a more enjoyable and efficient adventure for you and your loved ones. This allows tourists to make the most of their time in the park while minimizing logistical challenges.
When foraging for accommodation while at volcanoes national park, it’s essential to consider personal attributes, budget constraints and the type of experience you seek.
Best times to Visit Volcanoes National Park.
It is essential to know when to visit Volcanoes National Park. The aspects to note are that there are two main weather seasons in the Republic of Rwanda, the wet and dry season. Each has a few advantages over the other in line with park activities at Volcanoes.
In the dry seasons, i.e. from June to September and December to mid-February, the trails in the park are conveniently navigable easing the gorilla trekking activity. Observing and capturing pics of other wildlife in this natural habitat is also clearer as the sun shines bright through the lush vegetation enhancing the experience.
Meanwhile in the wet seasons, i.e. from March to May and from October to November, navigation through the park is quite challenging since the trails in these seasons are muddy and the forests are denser. This makes capturing of moments and observation of other wildlife in their natural habitat a bit challenging.
For a memorable time at Volcanoes National Park, recommendations pin the dry seasons to be the most splendid time to encounter wildlife at this park.
How to get to Volcanoes National Park?
Travelers can get to this park by air and road transport. Reaching to this park on road is far much the cost effective measure. With an organized tour company, expect to set off from the capital, Kigali, to where the park is on an approximately 1.5 hour drive.
Rwanda is renowned for the perfect road network it has throughout the country. Travelling is feasible, comfortable and enjoyable. Travelers ok with driving themselves can rent cars from our company, Your Drive, as it provides the best rides inclusive of GPS systems to help you locate this park with less direction stop overs.