Top Selling Activities in Volcanoes National Park

Top Selling Activities in Volcanoes National Park: When we speak of top selling activities in Volcanoes National Park, the first thing that will come to any visitors mind is gorilla trekking. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park also offers a variety of other exciting activities. Mountain gorillas are the major draw in Volcanoes National Park, and gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda are available all year. Because of the high altitude, it is often chilly, especially in the early mornings and nights; bring a light sweater for these times.

Volcanoes national park in Rwanda is part of the Virunga volcanoes, which are shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This park has an evergreen bamboo forest as well as grassland, wetland, and heath habitats. The park is just two hours from Kigali in Rwanda’s north-western region.

Top Selling Activities in Volcanoes National Park.

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

The most popular activity in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is gorilla tracking. The tracking occurs once every day, with 8 personnel visiting each gorilla group. Visitors are scheduled to come at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) headquarters at 7 a.m., where they will be informed on what to anticipate and then distributed among the several gorilla groups. Once you’ve been assigned to a gorilla group and the briefing is through, you’ll follow your ranger guide and begin your trip in search of these gentle giants.

Depending on the location of the group you are following, your walk might take anything from a few minutes to 6 hours. You will only be permitted to stay in the group’s presence for one hour after you come into contact with them. Remember the information presented in the briefing and try to follow it for your own and the gorillas’ safety; if in question, contact your ranger guide.

Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes national park.

Golden monkey trekking, like gorilla trekking, takes place once a day in the early morning at Volcanoes National Park. Visitors are asked to be at the pack headquarters as early as 7 a.m. for a briefing on how to behave and interact with these creatures in the wild. You will then be separated into two groups if you are a large party, and your trip will be conducted by experienced and jovial ranger guides. Before your briefing, enjoy traditional dances performed by a local group and a nice cup of coffee.

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda presently has two habituated troops that may be visited. Both have a total of 80 persons that are interested in tourism. Golden monkeys dwell mostly in bamboo vegetation due to their fondness for bamboo shoots, and unlike mountain gorillas, they are active, making hiking highly engaging and exciting. You’ll be tracking them as they jump from one region to the next in search of food.

Iby’iwacu Cultural Community Tour in Volcanoes National Park.

The Iby’iwacu cultural community tour is also among the top selling activities in Volcanoes national park. The activity is best combined with a gorilla trekking safari in the national park. This is a project for locals who were formerly involved in gorilla poaching but are now committed to conservation.

Edwin Sabuhoro founded the Iby’iwacu Village while working as a warden in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, with the goal of converting the park’s notorious poachers into environmentalists. A visit to this village will help to further conservation efforts in the national park and offer a source of income for many of the community members.

Participate in the events to get a feel for the village; become royalty by being crowned king or queen for the day, learn about traditional customs, and enjoy music and dancing.

Hiking to Dian Fossey Gravesite in Volcanoes National Park.

Trekking to Dian Fossey’s burial provides insight into Dian Fossey’s life and gorilla conservation in the Virunga area. You’ll hear more about her fascination with gorillas and how, over time, gorilla conservation became a focus, eventually leading to gorilla tourism. You will drive by vehicle for a portion of the route until you get at the trail head, where you will hike for around 1 – 2 hours. There is a potential that you will see forest creatures such as elephants, buffaloes, forest pigs, and a variety of bird species.

Visitors stop at Dian Fossey’s mansion, where she was reportedly murdered in 1985 and buried beside Digit, her favourite gorilla pet. The gorilla graveyard is home to around 20 gorillas that were slain by poachers or natural causes.

Explore Musanze Caves

The Musanze caves in Volcanoes National Park were developed as a result of a volcanic explosion that created an underground cavern large enough for humans to inhabit. They are two kilometers long, with pathways and steps leading to the caverns’ dark depths. This exercise may be completed following your morning gorilla tracking.

Mountain Climbing Safaris in Volcanoes National Park.

Mount Bisoke

Mount Bisoke boasts a spectacular crater lake at the summit, making trekking this volcano a worthwhile trip. The climb takes roughly 6 hours, including the 2 hours spent descending. However, some skilled hikers require as little as three hours and an hour to descend. Hikers, like all other activities, assemble at the RDB headquarters at 7 a.m. to listen to a briefing before beginning the trek with the designated ranger guide. Your ranger guide is informed and eager to share his or her mountain experiences with you. You have access to porters who will assist you with your luggage for a little cost; you are strongly advised to bring a porter with you.

Mount Karisimbi

Mt Karisimbi, at 4507m above sea level, is the tallest of the Virunga volcanoes and the sixth highest in Africa. It is located on the western rift valley between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It gets its name from the Kinyarwanda word ‘amasimbi,’ which means “white shell,” because of the white-capped top caused by hail and sleet accumulation. The Karisimbi walk is tough yet rewarding, requiring two days to complete and beginning at Bisoke. There is a potential of seeing birds, primates, including gorillas on rare occasions, and breathtaking landscape.

Birding Safaris in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is one of Rwanda’s three Important Birding Areas (IBA), home to endangered Albertine Rift endemics. Begin your birding day with your bird guide, equipped with binoculars and a camera to catch some of the Virunga’s most stunning species. The Albertine rift endemics will be your major target for the day, so take in the surroundings as you bird.