Set against the backdrop of mist-shrouded volcanoes and emerald montane forests, Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s crown jewel – a sanctuary of awe-inspiring wildlife, ancient rainforest, and soul-stirring adventure. Renowned worldwide for its rare mountain gorillas, this park offers more than just a safari; it delivers a deeply personal and unforgettable connection to nature.

Trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park

Though Rwanda has only a handful of national parks, its Volcanoes N.P. boasts 12 habituated gorilla groups and probably the most reliable gorilla trekking in the world! The park belongs to the Virunga Mountains range. The renowned Volcanoes National Park guarantees that tourists to the region have some of the most fruitful and gratifying gorilla trekking experiences accessible anywhere! On any given day, you will come across at least one group not only within an hour’s walk but considerably farther out as well, allowing for eager hikers to set out on treks ranging from 5 to 7 hours.

While the second group is in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the Volcanoes gorillas are also located in adjacent Mgahinga and Virunga national parks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) respectively.

Volcanoes National Park’s past

Located in north-western Rwanda, Volcanoes N.P. As the name implies, it has several volcanoes, notably Bisoke, Gahinga, Karisimbi, Muhabara, and Sabyinyo—five of the eight found in the Virunga Mountains. Of these, only Bisoke stays active; it last erupted in 1957.

Originally the park was gazetted as a rather modest area, but this was a notable area nevertheless, as it was the first national park in Africa! The main goal of the park was to shield the gorillas from poaching. Four years after its founding, in 1929, it was enlarged to cover not only more of Rwanda but also a sizable portion of what was then known as the Belgian Congo (later the DRC). Sadly, the Belgians in 1958 chose to clear 700 hectares of the region for human habitation.

Once the DRC came into existence, though, the park was cut in half and the Rwandan side’s government promised to keep it a conservation reserve. This was wonderful news for the gorillas! 1967, which saw the arrival of American scientist Dian Fossey, is another significant milestone in Volcanoes N.P. history. Dian established a study center (‘Karisoke’, situated between volcanoes Karisimbi and Visoke) and she toiled to increase global awareness of the poaching dangers facing the mountain gorillas. Most people agree she rescued the lovely animals from extinction! Tragically, Dian was killed in 1985 most likely by poachers. Her memory endures, not least in the famous movie Gorillas in the Mist; you can also go to Dian’s burial at the former research center among gorilla graves.

The Rwandan Civil War caused the national park to struggle so that for most of the 1990s all visitor activity stopped. Fortunately, the park reopened in 1999 and now guests may experience volcano climbing, golden monkey trekking, gorilla trekking, tours of the lakes and caves in the area, and trips to Iby’ lwacu village for some culture.

General game watching in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes is most known for the gorillas, but you may also watch for buffalo, a few elephants, spotted hyena, black-fronted duiker, and bushbuck. Birding is very amazing as well; last tally there were 178 species. Mostly forest, changing with height, the park’s vegetation; nonetheless, there is grassland and even some thickets and marshs.

Anyone with a desire to view the magnificent mountain gorillas should visit this national park! Once you are ready to begin organizing a really unique vacation, please contact us and look at our lodging pages.