Discover the best national park to visit in Rwanda for a safari experience : Rwanda is a landlocked country in the central Africa, well-known as the hidden gem in the heart of Africa, Rwanda is known as “Land of thousand hills” standing in an area of approximately 26,338 square kilometers. Rwanda sits at the border of Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda is also famous of its magnificent scenery, rich biodiversity, enthralling wildlife as well as attractive culture. Rwanda is a home to four national parks with each offering unique attractions and activities to travelers seeking for a remarkable and a memorable safaris experiences. They includes volcanoes national park in the northwest, Nyungwe forest national park, Akagera national park in the North East and finally the known new national park- Gishwati-Mukura national park , Rwanda is a smalls country but awesomely stunning country famously known for its endangered fascinating primates such as mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and the exciting chimpanzees as well as the Big Five African animals like buffaloes, lions, elephants, leopards and rhinos, making it the most visited safari destination in Africa. One of the best national park to witness a true unforgettable nature safari in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes national park is located in Kinigi- Ruhengeri in the northwestern province of Rwanda covering approximately 160 square kilometers. The park is one of the oldest national park in the continent, gazetted in 1925 with the purpose of preserving and conserving the endangered mountain gorillas. The park covers Rwanda’s share the Virunga conservation area and is bordered by Mgahinga Gorilla national park in Uganda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Volcanoes national park is among the smallest national park in Rwanda famously known for hosting one of the remaining population of endangered mountain gorillas in the world as well as the golden monkeys. The park is a home to the famous Dian Fossey a woman who deep carried out research about the mountain gorillas. Volcanoes national park is a home to five of the Eight Virunga volcanoes such as Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Bisoke, Gahinga and Muhavura which are homes to the prized gems of Rwanda –endangered mountain gorillas.
Volcanoes national park is also home to a wide variety of mammals and bird species including spotted hyenas, buffaloes, bush bucks, black- fronted duckers, giant forest hogs among others as well as bird species including Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori double collared, the dusty crimson wing, the red faced woodland, archer’s ground Robin, the Francolins, and the black fronted duiker among others
Exciting things to do in volcanoes national park
Gorilla trekking experience
Volcanoes national park is a world’s popular national park famous for its mountain gorillas, Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park is one of the most exciting and CAPTIVATIING adventure experience that is offered to most visitor in a Rwanda safari in the park. The park is the only national park where visitors can embark on their safari adventure in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park involves walking on foot in the jungles of the tropical rain forest in hunt or search for this fascinating and exciting primates in their habitat and this is the most rewarding activity where visitors get to uncover the hidden gems of the forest beyond gorilla trekking. Trekking the Virunga Mountains in search for this fascinating and attractive primates is challenging but offers unforgettable safari adventure experience. While walking in the jungle of the forest in search for this fascination creature un their families, visitors will have a chance to spot some of the amazing wildlife living in the forest such primates like red tailed monkeys, Mona monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys among other monkey as well as mammals, different fascinating birds and colorful vegetation. Upon finding this fascinating and loving primates, visitors are only allowed to interact with them for only 1 hour discovering how they carry out their daily activities such as breastfeeding, playing and hoe they associate to each other in the wild. Trekking this remarkable primates is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that leaves a lasting impression to visitors.
Golden monkey tracking
Golden monkey tracking is another captivating and rewarding activity offered to visitors on a Rwanda safari to volcanoes national park. Volcanoes national park is one of the remaining destinations in East Africa where visitors can easily hunt and trek this colorful and captivating primates. tracking this playful primates gives you an opportunity to explore the hidden treasures of the forest as well as a unique opportunity to encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas and other primate species like Mona monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys as well as animals since its involves walking in the jungles of the Virunga mountains . Upon meeting with this captivating playful primates, you will enjoy seeing them as they leap from tree to tree and interact with each other.
Hiking Virunga Mountains
Volcanoes national park offers the best hiking experience to visitors on a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari in volcanoes national park, hiking the Virunga Mountains offers astonishing views and attractions. Hiking to different Virunga Mountains includes, mount Bisoke, mount Sabyinyo, mount Karisimbi, mount Gahinga and mount Muhabura will offer you with the magnificent views of Rwanda’s stunning landscape while at the summit of the mountains. During the hike to the Virunga mountains, you will get opportunity to spot numerous attractions like numerous bird species like Archers ground robin, red-faced woodland warbler, Ruwenzori double collared sunbird, Collared Apalis, Ruwenzori Turaco, handsome francolin, strange weaver like Archers ground robin, red-faced woodland warbler, Ruwenzori double collared sunbird, Collared Apalis, Ruwenzori Turaco, handsome francolin. You will sight a number of gorilla families that can be spotted in the bamboo trees along the different Virunga Mountains as well as different animals like elephants, duikers among other attractions.
Discover the best national park to visit in Rwanda for a safari experience : Bird watching
Birding in Volcanoes national park offers birders a remarkable opportunity to look out for some of the interesting birds in Rwanda. With over 200 bird species, Volcanoes National Park is amazingly a destination worthy visiting not only for mountain gorilla trekking but also for enthusiastic birders to go birding. The park protects 17 Albertine rift endemic species and local birds such as scarlet tufted sunbirds, grauer’s swamp warblers, collared apalis, Ruwenzori Turaco, the sun bird, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori double collared, the dusty crimson wing, the red faced woodland, archer’s ground Robin, the Francolins, and the black fronted duiker as well as the francolins among others
Discover the best national park to visit in Rwanda for a safari experience : Cultural Encounters
While in volcanoes national park , you can also vast Iby’iwacu village community located just outside Volcanoes national park, visitors on a cultureal visit here village gets opportunity to be entertained by the traditional Intore dance team through a dancing performance, songs and folk. Victors also gets an opportunity to get involved in part of the traditional food preparations lessons, milking cattle’s, making products like local ghee and yogurt and also preparing local banana alcohol. Cultural encounters offer visitors the chance to interact with local communities, learn about traditional customs and lifestyles. These immersive experiences provide valuable insights into the rich cultural heritage of Rwanda’s people.
Getting to Volcanoes national park
Volcanoes national park is just two hours’ drive from Kigali capital city and covers a number of districts for instance Musanze, Burera, Rubavu and Nyabihu. The park can easily be accessed through Musanze and visitors can use both public and private means. This implies it is very possible to drive from Kigali to the park and track the gorillas on the same day using private means.
Accommodation safaris in volcanoes national park
Whether you’re seeking luxury, comfort, or affordability, there are accommodations to suit every traveler’s preferences and budget, ensuring a memorable stay amidst Rwanda’s breathtaking wilderness. Volcanoes national also offers affordable accommodation rates to visitors while offers astonishing views of the parks beautiful landscape, well-maintained trails and visitors such accommodations include Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Virunga Lodge, One and Only Gorilla Nest Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge among others
