Volcanoes National Park covers about 160 sq km of the Virunga Mountains in northwestern Rwanda, spanning five of the range’s eight volcanoes along the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Established in 1925, it is Africa’s oldest national park and today the country’s flagship destination for tracking mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
The park at a glance
- About 160 sq km, established in 1925 as Africa’s first national park
- Spans five of the eight Virunga volcanoes, including Bisoke and Karisimbi
- Home to a significant share of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, alongside golden monkeys
- 178 recorded bird species, with several endemic to the Virunga and Rwenzori Mountains
Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys
Volcanoes National Park’s habituated gorilla families are the main draw for most visitors, with permits arranged in advance and treks led by experienced guides and trackers through montane forest and bamboo zones. Golden monkey tracking, a shorter and generally less strenuous outing, offers a second primate-viewing option in the same forest. Buffalo, forest hyena, duikers and, rarely, elephant are also present, alongside the park’s varied birdlife.
Dian Fossey’s legacy
American primatologist Dian Fossey arrived in the Virungas in 1967 and established the Karisoke Research Centre between the peaks of Bisoke and Karisimbi, where she carried out pioneering gorilla research until her murder in 1985. She is buried in the park close to the research centre, among the gorillas she studied, and her work remains central to the conservation story behind the park’s gorilla population today.
Things to do
- Mountain gorilla trekking with habituated families
- Golden monkey tracking in bamboo forest
- Visiting the Dian Fossey grave and former Karisoke Research Centre site
- Hiking Mount Bisoke or Mount Karisimbi for crater lake and summit views
Practical information
- Reached by road from Kigali, about two to three hours, via the gateway town of Musanze
- Gorilla trekking permits are limited and should be booked well in advance
- Best visited in the dry seasons from June to September and December to February, though trekking runs year-round
Volcanoes National Park offers one of the most sought-after wildlife encounters in Africa, set within the birthplace of the continent’s national park system. Offmap Safaris can combine it with Musanze and a wider Rwanda gorilla itinerary. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.
