Safari Activites to do in Volcanoes National Park : Located in Rwanda’s northwest, Volcanoes National Park is one of the continent’s first national parks. The well-known primatologist Dian Fossey spent the majority of her time conducting research in the Volcanoes National Park. Mountain gorillas in this park have flourished largely because of the dedication of Dian Fossey, a woman who risked her life to protect them. Drive time to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is two hours and thirty minutes from Kigali, the country’s capital and the location of its international airport.
Volcanoes National Park, the Gishwati Mukura National Park, the Nyungwe Forest National Park, which are all mostly visited for their primate safaris, and the Akagera National Park, which is the only savannah National Park in the nation, make up Rwanda’s four national parks. Given that the Volcanoes national park is possibly the most frequented of the parks previously mentioned, you can spend more time there investigating the range of safari activities on offer, some of which are included below.
Mountain gorilla trekking.
The main draw of the Volcanoes National Park are the mountain gorillas, and encountering these friendly yet terrifying animals up close is an unforgettable safari experience. Prior to the 1990s, mountain gorillas were listed by the IUCN as being critically endangered, but their numbers have increased and mountain gorilla trekking safari is now a thriving pastime thanks to conservation efforts in the gorilla homes.
The mountain gorillas are fascinating to observe in the wild since they share 99.6% of our DNA. Twelve habituated gorilla families can be found in the Volcanoes national park. These creatures remain and live in communities known as gorilla families.
A group of 8 visitors may visit a habituated mountain gorilla family every day, and a gorilla permit costs $1,500 USD. This suggests that just 96 gorilla permits are available for reservations each day. The Susa family, Sabinyo family, Hirwa family, Ugenda family, Amahoro family, Umubano family, and Karisimbi family are just a handful of these gorilla families.
A mountain gorilla trek will start in the morning with a briefing from the ranger guides at the park’s main office. You will spend about 30 minutes to 4 hours in the forest looking for gorillas, and the magical hour that follows when you find your family of the day will be spent recording photos and videos for your lifetime’s memories.
Golden Monkey trekking.
The golden monkeys are another animal species you can see in the Volcanoes national park in addition to mountain gorillas. The Albertine rift is the only place where the golden monkeys can be found, making them an endangered species. If you plan to visit the Volcanoes National Park, schedule a walk to see the golden monkeys there.
Expect to observe the golden monkeys swinging from one tree branch to another because they are considerably more fun than the gorillas. In this bamboo grove in the Volcanoes National Park, you can see their vividly yellow bodies. Prior to this adventure, you will also attend a briefing. You will then enter the forest and hike a less difficult path than mountain gorillas do.
Hike a volcano.
A number of the Virunga Volcanic Mountains are found in the Volcanoes National Park, and this park gives permits to hike any of them. You may hike Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Bisoke in the Volcanoes National Park for $75 USD per person, and these hikes last one day. If you enjoy trekking, you may also attempt the two-day, overnight trek up Mount Karisimbi; a permit costs $400 USD.
Discover the distinct vegetation at the many trekking levels of these mountains, which move from bamboo vegetation to Afro-montane and savannah grasslands, and experience the various altitudes. On the Mount Karisimbi climb, you get to camp the night along the route to the summit and finish the hike the next day. The trail’s peak is typically covered in snow from June through August, when it is dry.
There are other choices if a hike is all you’re interested in, such as the Dian Fossey hike, which takes hikers to the late Dian Fossey’s tomb and makes an excellent trail for birders to go birdwatching.
Take on a cultural tour.
A cultural tour at one of the cultural centres should be scheduled for the evening after a day of safari activities in the park because Rwanda is a small but culturally rich country. The park is home to the Iby’iwachu cultural centre, where visitors can experience Rwandan dances and culture, participate in an ancient way of life, and hear some folktales.
You could decide to go on a tour of the Musanze caves, which used to be the site of the Rwandan Kings’ coronations. Before they established their dominion, they were brought here. The Musanze caves are rich in legend and history. Allow us to organize your safari in Rwanda to the Volcanoes National Park so you can experience more of what the park has to offer.
Guided Walks and Mountain Bikes Excursions.
In the tropical rain forest of Volcanoes National Park, there are numerous forest activities. Numerous guided walks within the park are available for birdwatching. The biking safaris are there. The neighborhoods close to the park provide group walks.
