If you are after Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Pak is the best answer. Occupying a total area of 160 square kilometers, this Park is part of the Virunga Massif.
This conservation area covers three Gorilla National Parks named Volcanoes of Rwanda, Virunga Park of DR Congo and Mgahinga National Park of Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is home to five of the eight Virunga Volcanoes. These include mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Mount Muhabura.
It started a small area around Mount Karisimbi, Bisoke and Mikeno volcanoes gazzeted mainly to protect Mountain Gorillas that were facing threat of extinction.
In 1929 this conservation area extended into Rwanda and the Belgian Congo named it Albertine National Park under the management of the Belgian king.
After the DR Congo independence in the early 1960s, the Park was divided. Rwanda remained with Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park (the oldest park in Africa) for DR Congo.
Dian Fossey an American zoologist who was doing research on Mountain Gorillas in the Congo forests decided to leave Virunga in 1967 due to insecurities and opted for Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
With the major aim to boom the conservation campaign for saving Gorilla lives and fighting poaching out of Volcanoes National Park, she established a research center known as Karisoke research center.
This center is located between the Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes. Rebels murdered Dian Fossey in 1985.
To honor her conservation projects done they decided to let her rest in Volcanoes just next to the graveyard of her favorite Gorilla by the names of Digit.
The Park served as a battlefield for Rwanda’s constant civil wars in the 1990s and this led to a setback in the Park’s tourism activities until 1999.
With the aim to boost conservation and Gorilla Safaris, Rwanda development board introduced an annual baby naming ceremony for new born Gorillas. It is known as “Kwita Iziina”.
Apart from Gorillas, the Park plays host to the species of Golden Monkeys, 178 bird species, reptiles, amphibians and multiple insect species.
Activities done in the Park.
Gorilla Trekking.
This is the main activity and a reason for most safaris to Volcanoes National Park. It grants tourists an opportunity to meet face to face with the Mountain Gorillas in the Jungles.
It starts in the morning. A briefing is first conducted at the Park offices in Kinigi to highlight trekkers about things to do and not to do while in the Jungle.
After briefing, the journey to the Jungle starts being guided by your park ranger guide. A group of eight people are allowed to visit one gorilla family per day. It requires a permit for every tourist and this card costs $1500 in Rwanda.
Golden Monkey Tracking.
This is another captivating activity offered in Volcanoes. It allows you to meet face to face with the Golden Monkeys in the Jungles.
Golden monkey tracking also starts with a briefing in the morning at the Park offices, later the trek starts via rugged trails.
These primates are mostly found in the mountainous bamboo forested areas. Its tracking permit costs $100 USD per person.
Bisoke & Karisimbi Hike
If you like hiking adventure tours, then a one day Bisoke hike should be among you plans in Rwanda. Also known as Visoke, this spot is one of the active volcanoes within the Virunga Massif.
It lies amid the borders of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo standing at a height of 12175 feet.
Its summit and greater part of it is found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. It is not hard to understand why most tourists hike it from Rwanda than Democratic Republic of Congo.
This is the easiest to hike in Rwanda. It’s great even for novice hikers. The adventure up to the summit takes about 6 – 7 hours. Climbers who are after time can do this even for three hours.
You should be in good conditions, physically fit and with all hiking requirements ready to deal with the muddy trails, stinging insects and thorny plants.
Porters are also available to hire at a cost $10 USD. The porters help to carry your luggage and pulling you up to pass through the difficult sections. The permit for this one day rewarding experience costs $75 per person.
Mount Karisimbi Hike
Standing at a height of 4507 m, Mount Karisimbi is the highest volcano in the Virunga region and eleventh on the African continent.
This inactive volcano in Volcanoes National Park is surrounded by other volcanoes like Nyiragongo, Bisoke and Mikeno.
Its name Karisimbi is a Kinyarwanda word which means “White Shell”. It was derived from the snow that covers the Volcano’s summit during the dry season. The volcano is popular for its caldera and two crater lakes. The largest Crater Lake is Mutango.
Visitors to the park usually combine the experience with the Gorilla trek. It may be strenuous but this is a unique experience not to forget. Porters are also available to hire at a cost of $20 USD per person.
The permit for this two day hiking excursion costs $400 USD per person. It’s better you book for this in advance.
Dian Fossey Hike
If you are a person who loves Mountain Gorillas and conserving their lives, a safari to Volcanoes National Parks is incomplete without a visit to Dian Fossey’s grave yard, a conservationist who started the campaigns towards saving lives of the Gorillas.
This grave yard is located near her established Karisoke Research center between Mountain Bisoke and Karisimbi. You can do this experience a day before Mountain Gorilla trekking or after.
Besides detailed information about Dian Fossey, this adventure offers unending spectacular views of the Park’s multiple allures.
The hike is usually arranged in the morning hours and takes about 2-3 hours up to the grave yard. Then descending back is about 1 – 2 hours. Dian Fossey Hiking experience costs $75 USD per person.