Volcanoes National Park is a popular destination in Rwanda and is arguably the most visited because it is home to gorillas. This draws visitors from all over the world to the park to experience the thrilling adventure of being next to these gentle giants in their original habitat.
It is thus important to note that Volcanoes National Park is one of the best destinations visitors can go for gorilla tracking and this has been proven by travelers from time to time. The services offered by the park intertwined with the habituated gorillas provide spectacular experiences to visitors.
Volcanoes National Park is among the pioneers of gorilla habituation practices in Africa. This proves why the gorillas in this national park are so friendly to humans when encountered in the jungle.
Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda. It covers an area of approximately 160 square kilometers with thick tropical rainforests. The park also hosts five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga massif. These include mountains Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Karisimbi, Muhabura, and Gahinga.
Gorillas inhabit the lower slopes of the Virunga ranges and that is where they are tracked. Gorilla tracking is the highlight of activities done in Volcanoes National Park as most visitors to the park often have the sole purpose of engaging in the exciting activity.
Cost of gorilla tracking permits in Rwanda.
Gorilla tracking permits in Rwanda cost USD 1500 for foreign non-residents, USD 500 for foreign residents and the rest of Africa, and USD 200 for East Africans and Rwandans.
A given section of the money paid by each of the tourists goes to the conservation team that helps fund the activities and also as a token of appreciation for the work well done.
When to do gorilla tracking in Rwanda.
Visitors willing to go for gorilla tracking in Rwanda should consider traveling to Volcanoes National Park during the dry season. This season runs from June to September and December to February.
The dry seasons are characterized by fairly warm temperatures and favorable terrain for visitors to maneuver through the thick forests with no hustle. This is because the ground is dry with sparse vegetation due to less rainfall.
Other activities are done in Volcanoes National Park apart from gorilla tracking.
It is important to remember that Volcanoes National Park has a variety of other activities that can be done by tourists. These incorporate exciting activities including the following.
Primates tracking
Volcanoes National Park is home to beautiful primates such as the golden monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys. These too can be tracked down by visitors to the park which helps elevate their experiences. Watching golden monkeys in their natural habitat is a worthwhile adventure.
Visiting the grave of Dian Fossey
Dian Fossey went down in history as the pioneer of the habituation activities of gorillas in the region. A visit to his grave offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about gorilla habituation in the region. It also provides views of the attractive landforms in the vicinity such as hills and valleys with lush vegetation that are good for photography.
Mountain hiking
Hiking is also possible in Volcanoes National Park and it’s such a thrilling adventure for explorers. Visitors to Volcanoes National Park have a chance to hike the splendid mountains such as Gahinga, Karisimbi, and Bisoke to mention but a few. Hiking is a healthy activity that helps visitors stay fit while on their safaris and once at the top of the mountains, one gets spectacular views of the surroundings both near and far that are worth the effort.
Touring around the lakes of Ruhondo and Burera
Volcanoes National Park has magnificent lakes that travelers visit. Boat excursions are conducted by the authorities of the park. This provides photography opportunities to visitors and beautiful views of the heart of Africa.
Bird watching
Volcanoes National Park is home to over 600 bird species. The bird species stay in the forests, especially on the steep slopes of the 5 Virunga ranges. These can be observed by visitors, especially at the designated birding sites in the park.
A visit to the park avails opportunities to view rare bird species such as African openbills, yellow-billed oxpecker, African paradise flycatcher, hadada ibis, African fish eagles, African spoonbill, black-headed gonolek, pin-tailed whydah, brown-throated white eye, saddle billed stock, piapiacs, African darter, eastern plantain eater, Doherty’s bush shrikes, African jacanas, bar-tailed trogons, long-crested eagles, hammerkops, African Finfoot, black bee-eater, Abyssinian ground hornbill, standard winged night jar, marabou stocks, secretary birds and the famous shoebills.
