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Plan to visit Rwanda gorillas in Volcanoes National Park? This portal will help you plan for authentic Rwanda tours and safaris to PNV and any other popular Rwanda national park and destination.
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, East Africa, is a significant habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas. Known locally as Parc National des Volcans and Pariki y’Igihugu y’Ibirunga, the park is part of the Virunga volcanic region, extending into Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This park, located in Rwanda’s Northwestern Province, is the oldest national park in Africa and plays a crucial role in preserving one-third of the mountain gorilla’s habitat.
The park’s diverse ecosystem, characterized by a rugged terrain and rain-forest, supports a variety of wildlife, including bushbucks, duikers, colobus monkeys, hyenas, giant forest hogs, elephants, and buffaloes.
Gorilla trekking is a popular activity, with visitors having the opportunity to observe several gorilla families, such as the Susa A, Susa B (Karisimbi group), Titus family, Sabyinyo family, Agashya group, Amakoro group, Umubano group, Kwitonda group, Hirwa group, Ugenda group, and Bwenge group.
These families are habituated to human presence, making the trekking experience safe and enriching.
Tourists visiting the park can also engage in other activities like mountain hiking, visiting the Musanze caves, golden monkey trekking, cultural activities in local villages, birding, and nature walks.
The park offers a range of accommodations, including Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, and One and Only Gorilla’s Nest Lodge.
The best time for gorilla trekking is during the dry seasons from June to August and December to February, although trekking is possible year-round. Children under 15 are not allowed to participate in gorilla trekking.
The cost of a gorilla trekking ranges from $1,730 to $1,900 USD per person per trek.
The Virunga Mountains, consisting of eight volcanoes, are a prominent feature of the park.
These volcanoes, which straddle the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, include Mount Nyiragongo, Mount Nyamuragira, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Mikeno, and Mount Karisimbi.
Among these, Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira are active, while the others are dormant or extinct.
Mount Karisimbi, the highest of the Virunga volcanoes, offers breathtaking views and a challenging climb.
Mountain climbing safaris in the Virunga region are popular, offering spectacular scenery and the chance to observe diverse wildlife, including chimpanzees and golden monkeys.
Tourists are advised to contact experienced tour operators to plan their safaris, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
To trek gorillas in Rwanda, obtaining a gorilla permit is essential. The permit costs $1,500 USD for international visitors, $200 for East African citizens (discounted rate), and $500 for foreign residents in Rwanda and Africa (discounted rate).
Booking in advance through the Rwanda Development Board or a tour operator is recommended due to the high demand and limited availability of permits.
Each day, 96 gorilla permits are issued for Volcanoes National Park, with each permit allowing a one-hour guided trek to observe the gorillas.
Strict rules and regulations are in place to protect the gorillas and ensure the safety of visitors.
These include maintaining a distance of at least 15 feet from the gorillas, avoiding direct eye contact, and following the instructions of the park rangers. Visitors should be in good physical condition and free from any transmissible diseases.
Trekking groups are limited to eight people to minimize the impact on the gorillas and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Rwanda also offers a range of other attractions, including Nyungwe National Park, known for its chimpanzee tracking and forest-specific wildlife, and Akagera National Park, which features the Big Five animals.
Visitors can combine gorilla trekking with these attractions, enhancing their overall experience in Rwanda.
Besides offering Rwanda gorilla tours in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, we also offer Rwanda safari tours, Uganda safaris, Congo gorilla tours, budget tours, luxury tours, wildlife safaris, honeymoons, birding safaris, camping safaris, family safaris, group safaris and Kigali to Bwindi tours.
Over the years, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, has been considered one of the most adventurous activities in Africa.
The park is home to the intriguing but endangered mountain gorillas, which are primarily found in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Rwanda, the gorillas live in an area of about 16,000 hectares in the northwestern part of the country, comprising Afro-montane forests, bamboo forests, vast swamps, savanna grassland, and five volcanoes.
Gorilla trekking has attracted an incredibly large number of travelers and tourists to the park, providing ample opportunities to see the mountain gorillas.
Different activities associated with gorilla trekking include hiking through dense bamboo forests and steep mountain slopes in search of these primates.
Tourists also have the chance to do double gorilla trekking, which involves crossing the borders to Uganda to experience the best of these gorilla trekking opportunities.
Remarkably, some tourists even prefer triple gorilla trekking, which gives them a chance to visit Virunga National Park in Congo to see mountain and eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park of Congo.
Therefore, triple gorilla trekking involves visiting these three countries: Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Get assistance from a tour operator or directly from the Rwanda Development Board.
Tourists should keep in mind that there are only 80 gorilla permits available each day since there are only 10 gorilla families available for trekking, and only eight people can visit a particular group within 24 hours.
Tourists are given a number of instructions ahead of the beautiful day with gorillas, outlining the do’s and don’t s to ensure their safety.
Tourists are advised to carry sunglasses, cameras, hats or caps, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, umbrellas, and other necessary items.
Gorilla trekking is an incredible activity that gives you a chance to fall deeply in love with nature.
It also allows you to learn and adopt the friendly ways in which we as humans can live in harmony with other fellow humans, as observed in the lives of these primates.
Note that the best season to go gorilla trekking is during the peak seasons, which include the months from June to September and December to March.
During these times, tour permits become scarce due to the influx of tourists.
The best time for this activity is during the dry season, from December to early March and June to September.
The long dry season, from December to March, can see temperatures reach up to 29 degrees Celsius on some days.
The dry season is also known as the peak season, which is most preferable for visiting Rwanda due to minimal rain and good hiking terrain in the rain-forest.
It is still necessary to pack accordingly even during the drier months, including waterproof clothing, as Rwanda’s equatorial climate is unpredictable, and it can rain any day at any time.
Since it is the peak season, demand is very high, and prices for accommodation, car hire, and gorilla permits can be higher, necessitating booking in advance, 3 to 6 months prior to travel.
However, some travelers, mostly those on a budget, prefer trekking during the wet season as hotels have low occupancy and offer discounted services.
There is also lower demand for gorilla permits, giving travelers a chance to see these gentle giants with less competition.
The price of a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is USD 1500, and it remains the same during both the dry and wet seasons.
Your budget and preference determine your accommodation type, with options ranging from budget to luxury, all offering quality service.
The peak season in Rwanda, which is the dry season, spans from June to September and is the best time to visit the mountain gorillas.
It is easier to get to the parks, and hiking trails are not muddy or slippery due to little or no rainfall.
Tourists wishing to trek mountain gorillas during this season should book their permits in advance due to high demand, requiring a 30% deposit of the total permit price.
The short dry season from December to February is also a great time to visit the endangered mountain gorillas.
The parks are less crowded during this period, and bird-watching is at its peak due to the presence of migratory birds.
The low season in Rwanda is from April to May, the longest rainy season in the country.
During this time, there is a high chance of rain during your trek, which may spoil your encounter and experience.
You may not trek very far as gorillas tend to move to lower slopes of the mountains to avoid high temperatures.
The short rainy season from October to November is great for photography and bird-watching, as plants and vegetation are blooming.
Wildlife is abundant, with rain often falling at night and skies clearing by morning.
In conclusion, the dry season, commonly known as the peak season, is the best time for gorilla trekking.
Trails are neither muddy nor slippery due to minimal rain, allowing for easy movement while trekking mountain gorillas.
Below are some of the habituated Rwanda gorilla groups and the best gorilla families to trek in Rwanda:
Gorilla Family | Members | Key Characteristics |
---|---|---|
Susa Gorilla Group (Susa A Family) | 33 members | Famous for twins (Byishimo and Impano); largest group; difficult to trek as they roam at higher altitudes. |
Karisimbi Gorilla Group (Susa-B) | 15 members | Split from Susa A; known for residing on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi. |
Sabyinyo Gorilla Group | 13 members | Known for its giant silverback Guhonda, the largest of all; easier to trek due to its lower altitudes. |
Amahoro Gorilla Group | 17 members | Known for peace and calmness; led by gentle silverback Ubumwe. |
Umubano Gorilla Group | 13 members | Split from Amahoro group; led by silverback Charles after a challenge for leadership. |
Agashya Gorilla Group | 25 members | Agashya, the dominant silverback, famously took over leadership from Nyakarima and expanded the group. |
Kwitonda Gorilla Group | 23 members | Migrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo; known for its calm demeanor. |
Hirwa Gorilla Group | 16 members | Known for its fortunate beginnings, formed from individuals from other groups; known for twin births. |
Bwenge Family Group | 11 members | Famous for its appearances in the film “Gorillas in the Mist”; led by silverback Bwenge. |
Ugenda Gorilla Family | 11 members | Known for being nomadic, constantly on the move; led by silverback Ugenda. |
See facts about Volcanoes National Park below:
Key attractions and sights ion Volcanoes National Park include.
Here are some of the popular activities to do at Volcanoes National Park:
Activity | Price (USD) | Difficulty Level |
---|---|---|
Mountain Gorilla Trekking | $1,500 | High |
Golden Monkey Trekking | $100 | Moderate |
Volcano Climbing | $400 | High |
Bird Watching | $50 | Low |
Visiting the Twin Lakes Ruhondo and Burera | $60 | Low |
Visiting Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village (Now Gorilla Guardians Center) | $35 | Low |
Visiting the Tomb of Dian Fossey | $85 | Moderate |
Hiking Mount Karisimbi Volcano | $650 | High |
Mount Bisoke Hike | $75 | Moderate |
Mount Muhabura Hike | $100 | High |
It is located in the northwest of Rwanda in the small town of Musanze, formerly known as Ruhengeri.
The park borders Virunga National Park in the DRC and Mgahinga National Park in the southwest of Uganda.
From | To | Distance (km) | Driving Time (hrs) |
---|---|---|---|
Volcanoes National Park | Kigali | 116 km | 2.5 hrs |
Kigali | Nyungwe National Park | 225 km | 6-7 hrs |
Kigali | Akagera National Park | 120 km | 3-3.5 hrs |
Volcanoes National Park | Nyungwe National Park | 240 km | 6-7 hrs |
Volcanoes National Park | Akagera National Park | 245 km | 6-7 hrs |
Nyungwe National Park | Akagera National Park | 320 km | 9-10 hrs |
WHERE TO STAY IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – Below are some of the most popular budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation facilities in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.
Check out some of the luxury accommodations available at this spectacular park.
These are some of the mid-range accommodations that you can stay in:
Here is a list of the top budget lodges and hotels.
Here are 30 FAQs about Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda:
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Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is awesomeness and wonder frozen in its mountains. With our discounted Rwanda gorilla tours, you will visit Rwanda gorillas at a relative bargain.
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