Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park – Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, East Africa, marks the last edge of the West African rain-forest and serves as a barrier that limits the expansion of the Savannah grasslands into East Africa.
Volcanoes National Park is also called Parc National des Volcans in French and Pariki y’Igihugu y’Ibirunga in native Kinyarwanda.
It is located in the Virunga volcanic region that stretches into Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda, contributing to one-third of the habitat for the endangered mountain gorilla species.
The park is found in the Northwestern Province of Rwanda in Ruhengeri, Musanze, and is the oldest national park in Africa.
Volcanoes National Park, along with its rain-forest, generally has lower temperatures at a higher altitude, resulting in rain year-round regardless of the season.
The park provides a diverse ecosystem and a great habitat for wildlife, including mammals, due to its highly rugged terrain.
Some of the wildlife found here includes bushbucks, duikers, colobus monkeys, hyenas, giant forest hogs, elephants, and buffaloes.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park entirely depends on the guests’ choice.
Some of the gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park include:
- Susa A group
- Susa B group, also known as the Karisimbi group
- Titus family
- Sabyinyo family
- Agashya group
- Amakoro group
- Umubano group
- Kwitonda group
- Hirwa group
- Ugenda group
- Bwenge group
These sum up to about 10 recently habituated families, offering gorilla trekking that is human-friendly.
Other Activities Tourists Can Involve In:
- Mountain hiking
- Visit to Musanze caves
- Golden monkey trekking
- Cultural activities in cultural villages
- Birding
- Nature walks
Accommodation:
- Bisate Lodge
- Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
- One and Only Gorilla’s Nest Lodge
- And many others
Best Time to Visit Mountain Gorillas
Any time is good for gorilla trekking, but the best time is during the dry season between June to August and December to February.
Child Policy: Children below the age of 15 years are not allowed to go mountain gorilla trekking.
Cost for Mountain Gorilla Trekking: The cost ranges from 1,900 to 1,730 USD per person per trek.
By and large, mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park offer a great experience, and tourists have a chance to explore.
