Volcanoes National park

Activities include:

Mountain Gorilla trekking

Mountain gorilla trekking is the most wilderness adventurous activity in Volcanoes National Park. The park has 10 habituated gorilla families which makes it a better place to spot mountain gorillas. Habituated Gorilla groups include; Umubano gorilla group, Amahoro gorilla group, Titus gorilla group, Sabyinyo gorilla group, Agashya gorilla group, Kwitonda gorilla group, Hirwa gorilla group, Umubano gorilla group and Bwenge gorilla group. Each gorilla trekking group is assigned with two scouts and a guide/rangers (assigning a group depends on the age and fitness of the tracker). The scouts carry guns one from behind and another infront to ensure that the tracking group is protected from wild animals and annoyed gorillas.

The rangers/guides will help you trek through the foothills of the thick forest in search for mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park. Have your passport with you and a gorilla permit directly from Rwanda Development Board which will be crosschecked at the gate to ensure that it belongs to you. Carry your gears such as boots, rain jackets, gloves, long sleeved clothes, insect repellant, and walking stick for support among others. There is a maximum number of 8 trekkers per gorilla family and depending on the speed of the trekkers, the trekking can last for 4-7 hours. Travelers are still given one hour to learn more about the gorillas in their presence (when travelers have spotted a certain gorilla family).

Hiking

There various hiking expeditions that take you through the jungles of Volcanoes National Park namely; Mt. Muhabura, Karisimbi (the highest of all the 8 Virunga Volcanoes), and Bisoke. Tourists hiking to Mt. Karisimbi get a chance to view elephants, insect, butterfly species, primates, mountain gorillas, birds, and other wildlife in the park. Mt. Bisoke offers a precise view of the crater lakes at the top of the mountain but hiking this mountain requires travelers to be physically fit. Muhabura is the 3^rd highest of the Virunga volcanoes and during the activity you can view warthogs, buffalos and the monkeys in the area.

Monkey trekking

Monkey trekking is the most adventurous and interesting activity in Volcanoes National Park next to gorilla trekking. The park is made up of two habituated monkey groups each comprising of 100 members with a dominant male which turns to be the leader of the group. The thrilling activity begins early in the morning at the main headquarters “kinigi tourism office”. The golden monkeys are active, and very entertaining as they swing from one branch of tree to another.

Village Experience/cultural encounter

During the village encounter, visitors are entertained with the traditional dances from Ibyiwacu cultural village organized by Rwanda Development Board Office. You can as well be part of other activities like being crowned a king (male) or a queen (female) of the day following African tradition and lifestyle. Travelers can as well buy crafts from African craft makers.

Caving

Hiking to Musanze cave is an interesting and adventurous activity. The cave is situated in Musanze district inside the park in the northern part of Rwanda.  In 2013, the Rwanda Development Board opened up the cave to the public. The cave is 2km long with stairs that help you trek inside the cave and it’s big enough to accommodate a number of people. Walk through the cave and appreciate the geographical nature of Volcanoes National Park.

How to get there

Volcanoes National Park is about 105 kilometers (65 miles) away from the Country’s city and Airport (Kigali), it can be accessed by road and by air. By air you can land in Kigali International Airport after which you drive for 2 hours to reach the park.