Volcanoes

Volcanoes National Park is found in the North western part of Rwanda and it borders Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in Congo. The park was established in 1925 to protect the mountain Gorillas and covers an area of 160sq kms and as of 2021 has been expanded to nearly 40 square miles to accommodate the growing number of the mountain Gorillas. The park sits at a higher altitude compared to other national parks and also boasts of about 178 Bird species, smaller primates, Mammals such as Buffaloes, forest Elephants, spotted Hyenas among others. It consists of 5 Volcanoes/Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Sabinyo and Gahinga), Bamboo forests, rainforests, a few lakes, marshes and the musanze caves.

Dian Fossey made the park known internationally because of her research studies with the Gorillas from 1967 until her death in 1985. She built the Karisoke Research Centre and helped curb poaching in the park. Unfortunately, the civil war and genocide in the early 1990’s saw a return of massive poaching and encroachments on park land. The government later took serious steps to eliminate poaching and militias in the park such that there are virtually no threats to visitors.

Activities that you can do in the park; Gorilla trekking, visiting the Musanze caves, golden monkey trekking, hiking one of the 5 Volcanoes such as Mt. Karisimbi , Mt Bisok, Mt Sabinyo, Muhabura and Gahinga are best done from the Uganda side., Hike to Dian Fossey grave and Karisimbi Research Centre.