Volcanoes National Park is the Rwandan section of the great volcanic massif called the Virunga Mountains that straddles the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. The massif covers a huge area of over 8,000km², encompassing six active and three extinct volcanoes. The most famous destination in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park has become synonymous with mountain gorilla tracking safaris and no visit to the country would be complete without visiting these majestic primates. The massif is home to around half of the world’s precious mountain gorillas; some 400 of them making Rwanda probably the best place in Africa for tracking safaris.Trek Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda with Go Self Drive Rwanda.
Things To Do in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park is the most popular activity in the park; Go Self Drive Rwanda has made it easy for booking this activity. Rwanda’s famous mountain gorilla population is one of East Africa’s greatest tourist attractions as well as animal conservation success stories. There are 880 mountain gorillas left in the world, and half of that population resides in the Virunga Mountain range spanning Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Seeing mountain gorillas in the wild is unforgettable, and planning a trip to Rwanda is easier than ever. Check out our tips and tricks to plan the trip of a lifetime and hiking with endangered mountain gorillas.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda mostly takes place in the Volcanoes which is found in the Virunga Mountains and it has only one session per day which starts in the morning. The Golden monkeys are also known as ‘the Old world monkey’ and the only way to separate these primates from others is by their noses. Golden monkeys are also known to have unique characters and are a rare species that are endangered at the moment and they are currently found in the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda. They are easily recognized due to the yellow patches that can be seen all over their bodies. There is a unique character about the golden monkeys and that is most of the monkeys have their nostrils pointing to the sides but if you look closely at the golden monkeys, their nostrils face upwards.
Dian Fossey Tomb Trail
A hike to the graveyard of Dian Fossey, an American primatologists who sacrificed her life to save the mountain gorillas is worth doing. The Dian Fossey grave yard hike is a learning experience for travelers providing them with the in-depth understanding of start of gorilla tourism in Rwanda and how an America primatologist sacrificed her life to save the rare mountain gorillas that where at the verge of extinction by then. Though its obvious that most travelers to volcanoes national park go for gorilla trekking, a hike to Dian Fossey tomb is a not miss on your Rwanda safari. A visit to the graveyard and the karisoke research center is an appreciation of Dian Fossey’s heroism, great love for the mountain gorillas, and the tragedy of her death, which was a starting point for gorilla tourism in Rwanda.
Karisoke Research Center
Fossey’s mission to protect Rwanda’s mountain gorillas started in 1967 when she started her research and ended in 1985 when angry poachers assassinated her. When Dian Fossey made up her mind to die for gorillas, established a research Centre “karisoke research Centre” between the two volcanoes on Mount Visoke and Karisimbi. Before her death, Dian Fossey extracted a journal in which she emphasized, “When you realize the value of all life, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of future”. She started a Dian Fossey gorilla fund project, which has continued to help in the conservation of mountain gorillas and promoting gorilla tourism in volcanoes national park. History tells that the campaign by Dian Fossey against poaching generated hatred and negative attitudes by poachers who revised all means to assassinate her.
Volcanoes National Park Fleet
Safari Car $150 / day
4x4 Car $90 / day
