
Volcanoes national park-Rwanda
Volcanoes national park is located about 2 hours drive from Kigali international airport which makes it very accessible, at 160Sq km area in the north of Rwanda, and is part of the great Virunga volcano conservation region consisting of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park Congo. Volcanoes national park today has a number of 10 habituated gorilla groups for visitors to see and one set aside for research from which the Kwita Izina baby gorilla naming ceremony are selected. This means, a number of 80 gorilla permits are available each day for tourists going watch gorillas 8 of which belong to each of the groups below; Bwenge group, Ugenda group, Hirwa group, Kwitonda group, Agasha group, Sabyinyo group, Umubano group, Amahoro group, Karisimbi group, Susa group and Titus family.
Volcanoes National park also offers golden monkeys, reptiles, amphibians, insects and a variety of birds among others.
Things to do
Gorilla Tracking
Volcanoes national park boasts of 10 habituated gorilla families all ideal for your once in a lifetime gorilla safari. With a fair share of the great Virunga massif bordering Virunga national park in Congo and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda. This is an experience that gives you a great insight and care about the wild. Enjoy the great trail that leads you to see the famous, rare and unique creatures.
Musanze Caving
Do not miss out visiting the Musanze caves on your Rwanda safari to Volcanoes national park. Experienced guides lead you into these caves while telling you the mysteries of the caves, history and all other facts about Rwanda.
Musanze caves are very significant and one of the most destination in Rwanda because of its significance during the ancient times as they were used by the local Kinyarwanda tribes as the venue for crowning their new kings and later the caves played an even more significant and heroic role as a shelter for thousands of refugees who had escaped the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The caves are generally cold and quiet on the inside with streams of water slowly flowing out of the rock ceiling and down the rocky walls to holes underneath the cave floor. It’s usually takes between one to two hours to complete exploring the caves.
The beautiful green scenery surrounding the cave and especially on the top with priceless great views of the wider Virunga ranges which include volcanoes like Karisimbi, Muhabura and Gahinga.
Golden Monkey trekking
Golden monkeys are a special treasure that one can only find in volcanoes national park and Mgahinga national park. These special primates’ species that are listed as endangered like mountain gorillas, golden monkeys can only be found in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo totalling about 4000 animals. Seeing these gentle creatures is rewarding and will contribute a lot to their conservation.
Volcano Climbing
Hiking to the top of Mt Karisimbi hike up the summit is characterized by muddy trails especially during rainy season, though due to the altitude, it can rain at any time of the day therefore one needs to be in good capable physically to do this hike but avails you one of the most spectacular views of Kigali city, the continuous, the local community and majorly the virunga volcanoes rolling hills. At an elevation of about 4507m above sea level is MT. Karisimbi, a strato volcano which is the highest of the eight major volcanoes of the Virunga field and the 5th highest in Africa. It strides along the border between Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda on the western branch of the African Rift valley climb. Hike starts early in the morning taking 6 hours and involves navigating through the Bisoke side before reaching the first stopping place at an altitude of 3,700 metres for overnight camping before finishing off the journey the next day. Aside from that several bird varieties, primates like monkeys and Gorillas since the volcano lies in the primates’ park of most importantly, the hike reveals a site of Dian Fossey who was murdered in 1985 but now lies in a peaceful place where she was buried just next to her favorite gorilla friend, Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas either killed by poachers or suffered death for other reasons.
Other activities to do in Volcanoes national park include cultural tours especially to the Iby’Iwacu cultural village, bird watching, and visiting the twin lakes of Bulera and Buhondo among others.
How to get there
Volcanoes national park is located in a small village called Musanze previously well-known as Ruhengeri, which is very accessible by public transport from Gisenyi or Kigali or from the airport it takes about 2hrs and park entrance is by 7:00 am. Please note that there isn’t any public transport from Musanze to the headquarters of the park at Kinigi.
Accommodation at volcanoes national park
Luxury
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel: Is located in Musanze (Ruhengeri) located on the road going to Kinigi is the perfect starting point to go for different activities that the Volcanoes National Park is offering but also gives you lot of opportunities to rest and to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of our lodge. Five volcanoes have 8 deluxe bedrooms (double/twin), a Family Suite, and the Volcano Manor, a restaurant, a pool, and a beautiful garden. If one will stay here for some time, rate per night starts from$640 per room per night.
Midrange
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge: The lodge is an eco-lodge with 30 spacious cottages made of stone and thatch, a living area with a fireplace, en-suite facilities, and a private veranda. The lodge is located in the Musanze district of northern Rwanda neighboring Volcanoes National Park. The lodge is about 15 minutes drive from the main entrance to Rwanda’s Park National des Volcans start price is from $ 250 per night.
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge The main lodge area has a restaurant serving home-cooked food and a bar
Budget
Kinigi Guest House: This is a budget accommodation facilities owned by a local women cooperative that offers basic facilities and service. The lodge is situated close to volcanoes national park and it has about 20 accommodation rooms on basic level although there is electricity and warm water within the rooms.
There also is a bar and restaurant that services African local and international foods, it is also located about 5 minute’s walk to the park headquarters. Room rates start from $60pp per night.
