Is it worth going to Volcanoes National Park? This is a park that is not to be missed. Nature lovers offer unforgettable experience depending on which animals and other wildlife you will see. Volcanoes national park is also a dwell for astonishingly attractive endangered mountain gorillas as well as the endangered golden monkeys. Volcanoes national park is also well- known for its magnificent vegetation types for instance montane forest, bamboo and grassland which sits at an altitude of about 2400 to 2500 above the see level forests animal species for example buffaloes, bush backs, forest elephants, giant forest hogs, golden Monkeys, bush pigs, spotted hyenas, black-fronted duiker among others and birds like Rwenzori Turaco, Red-faced woodland, handsome francolin among others and it is widely and wonderful recorded as a birding destination with over 200 recorded different types of birds, but amazingly 29 of which are regarded to be endemic to Albertine region.
Volcanoes national park is the only national park in Rwanda that offers astonishing safari once visited. The park is well known for housing many mountain gorillas which are over 380 recorded dwelling in the Virunga mountains and being the only destination were this astonishing and stunning Rwanda gorilla trekking tours are conducted, the park also ensures that it offers the most astonishing gorilla safari adventure to travelers.
Though the park is well known as a Rwandan gorilla trekking destination, the park also is a dwell foe many fascinating endangered golden monkeys, others animal includes forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, duikers, spotted hyenas, bush-bucks and several primates. The park is home to Dian Fossey’s grave, Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who risked her life to ensure the conservation of mountain gorillas and other primates.
Reasons to visit volcanoes national park
Golden monkey tracking
Volcanoes national park is one of the remaining national parks in East Africa where you can see and spot this amazing golden monkeys, tracking golden monkeys at volcanoes national park is safe and easy because they feeds on the lower slopes of the Virunga mountains. Golden monkeys are a very unique and fascinating primates characterized by having a stunning golden color body only found in Mgahinga national park in Uganda and volcanoes national its self .Rwanda golden monkey trekking tours can be combined by Rwanda gorilla tours since they all associates in moving along the jungles of the Virunga mountains hiking and trekking these fascinating primates is interesting and you will have a chance to see the monkeys feed, groom and swing from one baboon to another , trekking this awe-inspiring primates is always done in the morning just like any other activity carried out in the park. A travelers planning to carry out this interesting activity are advanced to book a valid permit at the cost of $100 per person and you will have to bring a good hiking shoes, rain jacket, binoculars, enough drinking water, and snacks to keep you strong among others.
Bird watching
Bird watching in volcanoes national park is one of the main reason to visit the park. Volcanoes National Park is a home to over 200 different kinds of bird species but in a surprise 29species of birds are recorded to be endemic to the Albertine rift. While on a birding safari in a volcanoes national park, you will have a chance to spot some of the different wildlife species including the gorillas and golden monkeys. Volcanoes national park is the best ideal for birding safaris, such bird species that can be easily be seen includes lovely francolin, strange weavers, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds, Rwenzori batis, Archer’s ground robin, Collared Apalis, Doherty’s bush- shrike, Red-faced woodland warblers, Brown-necked parrot, Baglafecht weaver, African long-eared owl and Dusky Crimsonwing African green broadbill, olive bellied, black cuckoo-shrike bat hawk narina trogon among others. For those planning to carry out birding safari in volcanoes national park one is required to move along with the guiding bird book, enough drinking water, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirts, backpack, camera, binocular, national ID or passport, raincoat among others essentials
Volcanoes hike
Hiking any of the 4 hiked Virunga Volcanoes is another interesting reason you have to visit Volcanoes National Park. Virunga Mountains is one of the fame attractions in Rwanda and the main activity in the volcanoes national park. Travelers during the Rwanda safari to volcanoes national park have an added adventure experience of hiking to the summit of any of the Virunga volcanoes which rewards then with therefore have an added advantage of hiking to the top of any Volcano which reward them with remarkable views of Rwanda’s rolling hills, Kigali city, a number of attractions like the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys swing in the baboon trees, birds species ,Virunga volcanoes, the Rwandan twins lakes, lake kivu and local communities around the park among others.
Mountain gorilla trek
Gorilla trekking is the main prime reason you should visit Volcanoes National Park, trekking endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park usually starts in the morning with the briefing about the procedure to follow while moving in the jungles in search for this fascinating primates. During trekking, you will be able to spot other primates species, birds and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment where you will be able to learn about their habits, behaviors, how the carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, playing, record videos and take pictures to show people back home. The park is a home to over 380 gorillas dwelling in 10 habituated gorilla family available for trekking yearly under the guidance of experienced guides. Trekking this captivating mountain gorillas in a volcanoes national park requires one to have a valid permit that authorizes to trek these playful creatures. Gorilla permit in Rwanda is issued by the Rwanda development board at a cost of $1,500 per person, every visitor planning to go for Rwanda gorilla trekking is encouraged to bring or move along with binoculars, enough water and snacks, rain gear, good hiking boots, walking stick among others.
To hike Dian Fossey’s Grave
Hiking to the gravesite of Dian Fossey, hiking the popular American primatologist who worked tirelessly to conserve the mountain gorillas is another reason tourists visit Volcanoes National Park. Dian Fossey was murdered on 26th December 1985 within the Karisoke Research Center that she had established within the National Park and was laid to rest near her favorite Mountain gorilla mist .Hiking to Dian Fossey’s gravesite between the Virunga Mountains is an interesting activity to undertake during the gorilla safaris. While on a hike to the Dian Fossey grave, you will be rewarded by fascinating features and wildlife on your way such as buffaloes, forest hogs as well as various species of monkeys that live in the forest.
