Explore Volcanoes national park for gorilla trekking & golden monkey tracking on a visit Rwanda experience

Volcanoes national park; home to mountain gorillas

Situated in the North West of Rwanda (-1.42476° S, 29.49746° E) in Musanze district, Volcanoes national park protects the steep slopes of the magnificent mountain range which is home of Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems. Volcanoes national park is named after the chain of dormant volcanoes making up the Virunga Massif: Karisimbi – the highest at 4,507m, Bisoke with its verdant crater lake, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura. Volcanoes national park is 115km from the Kigali city on a 3 hours road drive.

Volcanoes national park gorillas & golden monkeys tracking packages

Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes

The unique opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat is unforgettable. Encounters with gorillas as they go about their daily lives are carefully managed, with expert trackers and guides leading small groups of tourists up the mountain slopes to spend a precious and awe-inspiring hour just a few feet away from the gentle creatures.

Golden monkey tracking in the Volcanoes

Another exciting experience in Volcanoes National Park is trekking to see the golden monkeys. With the golden coated fur that makes them strikingly beautiful, two golden monkey groups can be tracked- one on the slopes of Mt. Karisimbi and the other in the bamboo forest on Mt. Sabinyo. Tracking through the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of 200 species of colorful birds and their chattering, is only one of the truly unique experiences in the area.

The Ellen DeGeneres campus of the Dian Fossey fund

This multi-acre, eco friendly facility adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park includes three main buildings- the research center, education center and conservation gallery- as well as housing for visiting students and researchers. The Ellen Campus is designed to serve as a gateway to conservation for the many stakeholders as well as visitors from around the world, helping to create the next generation of conservationists.

Musanze Caves

There are 52 caves in the Northern province with 15.2km of cave passages, most of which are developed from Cenozoic volcanic rocks. The Musanze Cave is 2km long and the most frequently visited. It dates back to 65 million years, where the lava flows contributed to the Albertine Rift valley. Musanze cave is part of the lava basaltic layers from the Bisoke and Sabinyo volcanoes. The site is formally protected and access is limited to guided tours, which last two and half hours.

Activities done at Volcanoes national park

Gorilla trekking
Golden monkey tracking
Bird watching
Hiking & nature walks
Ellen DeGeneres campus of the Dian Fossey fund
Cave visits
Virunga massif sightings
Photography & filming

Gorilla families in Volcanoes national park

As of today, Volcanoes national park has 14 trekked mountain gorilla families with 7 up to 40 members per single family led by alpha males called silver backs. These gorilla families include;

Susa group which has 38 members is the most popular gorilla family in the volcanoes national park.
Umubano group with 13 members is led by a silver back called Charles.
Hirwa family has 18 members that is led by a silverback called Munyinya.
Amahoro family has 19 members led by a silver back called Ubumwe.
Agashya family has 13 members named after their leader silverback Agashya.
Kwitonda family has 23 members led by a silverback named Akarevuno.
Sabinyo family has 17 members led by a silver back named Guhonda.
Kwisanga family has 16 members led by a silver back called Kigoma. This group separated from the Kwitonda group
Noheli family has 7 members all of which are female. These left Isimbi and Susa groups.
Bwenge family has 11 members led by the silver back and name bearer Bwenge.
Kirisimbi also known as Susa B family led by a silver back called Nyagakangaga
Igisha family has 34 members led by a silver back and name bearer Igisha
Muhoza family has 17 members led by the name bearing silver back Muhoza. This is the most easily tracked family and is located in the middle of the park.
Isimbi family has 16 members led by a silver back called Muturengera.

Kwita Izina- Gorilla naming ceremony

Kwita Izina meaning to give a name is a traditional Rwandese ceremony that is done when naming a new born baby among the Rwandese people. In the same way, a naming ceremony is held every year to name all the newly born baby gorillas in the different mountain gorilla families in Volcanoes national park. Travelers move from all over the world to give names to baby mountain gorillas and also attend to celebrate the conservation efforts of these endangered species. Book a safari to the Kwita Izina ceremony to be part of this global celebration.

How to get to Volcanoes national park

Volcanoes national park can be accessed through;

Road: Volcanoes national park is a 2hrs 30 minutes drive from Kigali city- Rwanda’s capital.
By air: You can get to the Volcanoes by a helicopter on a 1hr flight.

Lodges at Volcanoes national park

One & Only gorillas' nest lodge

One & Only gorillas’ nest lodge is a world class luxury staycation wild lodge with forested tree houses and suites on the montane slopes with Volcanoes national park. Staying at One & Only guarantees the best serene and luxurious safari holiday while on Rwanda gorilla trekking safari.

Forest tree houses and suites rates start at $6,488 to $11,740 per person with all meals amenities given.

Tiloreza lodge

Tiloreza lodge located on the montane slopes in Volcanoes national park at -1.47040° S, 29.62049° E, is also a luxury safari lodge where you can stay when you visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking safari.

Tiloreza offers standard roos, deluxe rooms and suites at rates starting at $530.

Ingagi park view lodge

Ingagi park view lodge is also located in Volcanoes national park and offers luxury staycation too while on Rwanda gorilla trekking safari.

Ingagi park view has a beautiful overlooking sceneries of Volcanoes national park and makes its location easy to catch up with gorilla trekking activities. Ingagi lodge offers numerous stay options such as;

Single occupancy starting at $280
Double occupancy starting at $500 and
Triple occupancy

Wilderness Bisate lodge

Wilderness Bisate lodge is made of luxurious ensuite forest bandas with balcony sheds that over look Volcanoes national park vast wilderness all set up to ensure a perfect staycation experience on a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari.

Wilderness Bisate lodge offers luxury staycation services starting at a rate at $2,432.

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Explore Volcanoes national park for gorilla trekking & golden monkey tracking on a visit Rwanda experience

Volcanoes national park; home to mountain gorillas

Volcanoes national park gorillas & golden monkeys tracking packages

1 DAY Gorilla trekking safari

2 DAYS Gorilla trekking safari

4 DAYS Gorilla trekking & Golden monkey trekking

5 days gorilla & wildlife Rwanda safari

10 DAYS Rwanda Gorilla- primates & WILDLIFE SAFARI

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Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes

Golden monkey tracking in the Volcanoes

The Ellen DeGeneres campus of the Dian Fossey fund

Musanze Caves

Activities done at Volcanoes national park

Gorilla families in Volcanoes national park

Kwita Izina- Gorilla naming ceremony

How to get to Volcanoes national park

Lodges at Volcanoes national park

One & Only gorillas' nest lodge

Tiloreza lodge

Ingagi park view lodge

Wilderness Bisate lodge

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