Volcanoes National Park Rwanda : This 160-kilometer-long region that protects Rwanda\’s portion of the Virunga Mountains is Rwanda\’s most popular tourist destination. At least six extinct and three active volcanoes that span the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo protect more than half of the world\’s magnetic mountain gorilla population. Volcanoes National Park is an awe-inspiring, ecologically diverse region. This chain of high free-standing mountains, rising from 2,400m to 4,507m in height and connected by verdant saddles formed by solidified volcanic flow, is one of the most dramatic and unforgettable of all African landscapes.
Karisimbi on the border with the DRC, Mgahinga and Muhavura on the border with Uganda are the highest points of the chain and the westernmost region of the National Park. Tracking mountain gorillas is the most popular activity in Volcanoes National Park, where mountain gorillas are located. The most significant activities following gorilla tracking are visits to the habituated family of golden monkeys, an excursion to Dian Fossey\’s former camp and cemetery on the Karisoke wooded slopes, and an overnight trek to the peak of Karisimbi.
Gorilla Families in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park contains numerous gorilla families, some of which have been trained for gorilla tourism or research while others have not. Before commencing this rewarding bucket list item, you must purchase a gorilla permit from your tour operator for specific dates. Each gorilla colony is given a name and, depending on the circumstances, is led by a silverback. When a vouna silverback challenges the dominant silverback. He needs to
Amahoro gorilla group
The group\’s name, Amahoro, translates to \”peaceful,\” and its leader, Ubumwe, is composed. In order to access the group\’s territory, one must endure a strenuous trek, as they reside primarily on inclines, but the effort is always rewarded.
Susa (A) Gorilla family
Dian Fossey investigated the Susa gorilla group, the largest gorilla group in the park with 41 individuals. Byishimo and Impano, the unique siblings of the ensemble, are well known. Even though it is difficult to reach this family due to the fact that they reside in the high mountains, you will be rewarded by their size.
Hirwa gorilla group
This family is descended from gorilla clans such as Group 13, Susa, and Sabyinyo. The silverback Munyinya left Susa with two females, and as he traveled he encountered others and eventually formed a group.
Sabinyo Gorilla family
A volcano is named after the chief of the Sabyinyo gorilla colony, Guhonda. This family is smaller than average, but it is nonetheless extraordinary. By requesting a group that is close to the park headquarters, you can avoid traveling long distances.
Kwitonda gorilla group
The group\’s chief is the silverback Kwitonda, whose name means \”humble one\” in Swahili. This gorilla family migrated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Rwanda and established itself there \”permanently.\” Due to the walk\’s location on the upper foothills of Mount Muhabura, it is moderately difficult.
Group 13 | Agashya gorilla group
Group 13/Agashya had only 13 members during its habituation period, hence its name. The reason for the appellation change is that it now has approximately 25 members under the command of Agashya, the silverback.
Umubano gorilla group
Charles is the silverback of the Umubano gorilla group, which split from the Amahoro gorilla group with a few females to form Umubano. Umubano is Swahili for \”living together\”
Karisimbi (Susa B) gorilla group
The Karisimbi/Susa gorilla group, which split from the original Susa (A) group, contains two silverbacks. This community, located on the mountain\’s steepest summits, is one of the most difficult to access. It is ideal for experienced trekkers who enjoy both gorilla viewing and the trekking experience.
The Titus gorilla group
The Titus gorilla group was named after the silverback Titus, who was born during Dian Fossey\’s investigations at Karisoke and inspired the name of the group.
Bwenge gorilla group
Silverback Bwenge founded the Bwenge gorilla group after separating with females from other groups and establishing their independence. The term \”wisdom\” is bwenge. Typically, this group inhabits the foothills between the Karisimbi and Bisoke mountains.
Ugenda gorilla group
The Ugenda gorilla group roams the Karisimbi region, hence its peculiar name. If you wish to pursue this group of gorillas, you must be willing to traverse the volcano.
Volcanoes National Park activities
Gorilla Trekking
Volcanoes National Park\’s gorilla trekking is popular due to Rwanda\’s reputation as the finest location in Africa to observe mountain gorillas.
The park contains intriguing, but critically endangered mountain gorillas. Only the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda contain mountain gorillas.
The roughly 16,000-hectare Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwest of Rwanda. It includes five volcanoes (Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Karisimbi), as well as afro-montane forests, bamboo forests, savanna grassland, extensive wetlands, and other natural features. Mount Karisimbi is one of the four highest mountains in Africa. The Volcanoes National Park is home to numerous species, such as spotted hyenas, antelope, elephants, bushbucks, duikers, and golden primates.
Volcanoes National Park\’s most popular tourist activity is gorilla trekking, and the likelihood of encountering a mountain gorilla is quite high. In Rwanda\’s Volcanoes National Park, gorilla tracking involves ascending precipitous mountain slopes and traversing dense bamboo forests. During the concluding encounter with the primates, one of the most exciting and memorable Gorilla Tracking experience in Rwanda occurred.
In a practice known as double gorilla trekking, visitors can cross the border into Uganda to observe gorillas, giving them the best of both environments.
In addition to viewing the gorillas in Virunga National Park in the Republic of Congo, some tourists choose to go on gorilla trekking expeditions. Seeing mountain gorillas and Eastern lowland gorillas in Congo\’s Kahuzi Biega National Park is even more thrilling. Tracking a gorilla is difficult, but observing one in person is the apogee of animal encounters.
The Gorilla Tracking Experience
In Volcanoes National Park, gorilla trekking begins at approximately 7:30 a.m. with a briefing from park staff and Rangers. Participants are divided into groups and allocated specific gorillas during the briefing. In Volcanoes National Park, take your family gorilla tracking. Less-fit hikers are assigned to groups that are closest to park administration. The park rangers lead the party to the gorillas at 8:00 a.m. As indicated previously, when gorilla trekking in Rwanda\’s Volcanoes National Park, you can choose from 10 habituated groups or families. Regardless of which group you end up in, viewing mountain gorillas is an unforgettable experience.
You may lose hours simply observing the young gorillas play and run. Mountain gorillas are inquisitive and lively at all times.
Some individuals may approach you, but they mean no harm. It is essential to pay attention to your aides\’ instructions and maintain composure while with the gorillas. Avoid abrupt motions. Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park can take anywhere from one to six hours, depending on the gorilla family assigned to you and their exact location on the day of the trek.
Golden Monkey Tracking
By participating in golden monkey trekking or tracking in Rwanda\’s Volcanoes National Park, it is possible to have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a species of primates known as \”Golden Monkeys\” that is both unique and incredibly beautiful. As their name suggests, golden primates have gorgeous golden fur, which, when combined with their vivacious dispositions, makes them quite photogenic subjects. The golden monkey trek in Volcanoes National Park, which is typically an add-on to a Rwanda gorilla tour, is overshadowed by the more popular gorilla trek.
The golden primates, an endangered species, are only found in the Virunga mountain range, which spans the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Rwanda and Uganda are the only two countries where tourists can see these magnificent primates up close. The golden primates call the bamboo forests and other vegetation near to the Volcano Mountains home. Primarily, primates consume bamboo shoots, branchlets, and immature bamboo leaves.
There are two habituated units of golden primates in Volcanoes National Park; the larger troop of 80–100 individuals is the most popular.
Similar to all other activities in Volcanoes National Park, the solitary session of the daily golden chimpanzee walk occurs in the morning. The journey begins 15 minutes away at the park\’s boundary, but visitors must first drive there (at 7 a.m.) for a briefing with park ranger escorts.
The primates will be easy to locate because they reside in the bamboo forest at the base of the volcanoes. By searching for signs of recently devoured bamboo shoots and leaves, trackers can locate them in less than one hour. Visitors can spend up to an hour observing these astonishingly beautiful primates as they pluck bamboo shoots and juvenile bamboo leaves while performing enormous leaps from one bamboo tree to the next.
Some primates with short tails have demonstrated how long tails can become entangled and even amputated in bamboo. The primates spend considerable time both on the ground and at the summit of the bamboo. They may even approach eye level. They are some of the least timid primates because they are approachable.
In contrast to other primate excursions, such as gorilla and chimpanzee treks in Rwanda, flash photography is permitted during these excursions. Even these primates appear to enjoy the light of a camera. Periodically, the primates depart the park to consume leftover Irish potatoes in the open potato fields.
Birding
The volcanoes are blanketed with extensive afro-Alpine forests, bamboo groves, and moorland dominated by towering, enormous Lobelias.
Thankfully, we do not have to scale these intimidating peaks in order to find our quarry. The park also protects 53 of the 74 species found in the Afrotropical Highlands biome and 17 of the 27 species in the Albertine Rift that are threatened with extinction.
Therefore, the visitor must keep an eye out for these specialties and keep his or her palms crossed. Lower paths will take you through ecosystems where you can seek for some of the park\’s rare species. Among these are the Rwenzori Turaco, the Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, the Handsome Francolin, the Kivu ground thrush, and the Lagden\’s Bush Shrike, all of which are extremely rare.
Hiking to Dian Fossey tomb
By making the journey to Dian Fossey\’s grave, one can learn more about her life. Thanks to Dian Fossey, the Virunga region has gorilla protection. You will learn more about her passion for gorillas and how, over time, gorilla conservation became a priority, resulting in gorilla conservation legislation from 1932 to 1985.
Mount Bisoke hiking
The breathtaking crater lake at the summit of Mount Bisoke makes the trek up the volcano rewarding. Including the time spent descending, the duration of the trek is approximately six hours. However, experienced trekkers can complete the descent in as little as 3.5 hours. At 7:00 a.m., hikers assemble at the park headquarters for a briefing before embarking on their trek with their designated ranger guide. Your ranger guide is knowledgeable and willing to share his or her mountaineering experiences. It is highly recommended that you employ porters to assist you with your luggage for a small fee.Mount Karisimbi trek
Mount Karisimbi, which is 4507 meters above sea level and the tallest of the Virunga volcanoes, is the fifth-highest peak in Africa. It is located in the western rift valley between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its name, \”amasimbi,\” which translates to \”white shell\” in Kinyarwanda, derives from the accumulation of hail and precipitation on the summit, which produces a white crown.
Beginning in Bisoke, the two-day trek to Karisimbi is arduous but rewarding. Birds, primates, including on rare occasions gorillas, and breathtaking vistas can all be observed.
The Iby\’ Iwacu Cultural Village Encounters
This initiative is for former gorilla traffickers in the community who are now committed to conservation. Edwin Sabuhoro created the community while serving as a warden at Volcanoes National Park in order to convert the park\’s notorious poachers into environmentalists. Your visit to this village will contribute to conservation efforts and provide income for many local residents.
Participate in the activities to develop a sense of community; become the day\’s monarch or queen; learn about traditional methods of life; and enjoy music and dance.
How to reach Rwanda\’s Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is accessible by land and air from Kigali, the nation\’s capital and airport, which is approximately 105 kilometers distant. A two-hour journey from the Kigali International Airport will bring you to the park. There are options for both public and private transportation. A transport ride to the park will cost you $50.
Safari lodges and cottages in the vicinity of Volcanoes National Park.
The range of accommodation options near Volcanoes National Park includes luxurious, moderate, and inexpensive options. Depending on your preferences, the majority of businesses are located in Kinigi and Musanze, and some are even an hour\’s journey from the park\’s administrative center. The One & Only Gorilla Nest, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Kwitonda Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Muhabura Hotel, and Garden Place Hotel are among the available accommodations.
