Tourist Activities in Volcanoes National Park.

Tourist activities in volcanoes national park are hotspots for travellers to the land of a thousand hills, the conservation area is the oldest national park in Africa it was gazette in 1952, and it is home to the critically endangered species of mountain gorillas a subspecies of the eastern gorilla-Gorilla beringei beringei, the park was made famous during the great works of the American primatologist Dian Fossey, it also featured in the movie “Gorillas in the mist” hence known to many people of the world, Volcanoes national park is the nearest of parks to Kigali city it is conveniently placed approximately 2 hours’drive. The main activities of the protected areas include Gorilla trekking, Golden monkey trekking, birding, guided nature walks, Hiking Dian Fossey, and Rwanda cultural experience at the foothills of the national park.

The presence of the many attractions in the conservation area makes it possible to do tourist activities in the volcanoes national park there are 5 of the 8 series of the Virunga volcanic mountains including Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Karisimbi and Mountain Sabinyo, some of these are shared with the neighbouring states of Uganda and democratic republic of Congo, the resident species of mountain Gorillas living within the bamboo forest region together with Golden monkeys gives many travellers the more reason to visit volcanoes national park, there are other animals present in the national park although they are rarely seen for example forest elephants, black-fronted mountain duiker, and over 180 species of birds.

Mountain Gorilla trekking is the highlight of tourist activities in Volcanoes National Park, it is one of the most interesting things to do on an African safari, an experience of a lifetime! The mountain gorillas survive together with the other primates and animal species amicably without being captivated, this activity involves hiking through the forest hence would require one to be physically fit, the walk takes you through the beautiful altitudinal zones along the slopes of the volcanic mountains, it takes 2-8 hours in search of the primates an hour is allowed to interact take pictures and enjoy gentle giants play and roll over trees while observing gorilla rules and regulations.

Hiking in Volcanoes National Park, four of the five volcanic mountains can be hiked while in the conservation area including Mountain Karsimbi, Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Gahinga, and Mountain Muhabura. The terrain of Mountain Sabinyo is tough and supper rugged which makes it impossible to hike the mountain from Rwanda, it can only be hiked on the Ugandan side. Hiking in the protected conservation area is best done during the dry season as the trails are less slippery and much more accessible passing through the developed trails to the summits each of the mountain hikes is done separately and they are elevated at different levels hence it takes differed days to reach the summit, the walk through the forest is one of the most amazing you can experience on a Rwanda safari.

Hiking the Dian Fossey is one of the most famous hikes of the Volcanoes National Park, the American primatologist lived around the slopes of Mountain Karisimbi, and her great works towards the survival of mountain gorillas are described as protecting this with her life, however as much as she protected primate species, she managed to win her self-enemies of conservation, as tragedy falls Dian Fossey lost her life in cold blood her murder remaining a mystery to date, she was buried in the forest next to the gorillas that she loves the most, hikes through the forest to pay tribute to her graveyard offer amazing experiences, en route on a lucky day you might be chanced to see the Mountain Gorillas or monkeys.

Golden Monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park, Golden monkeys are a rare species, endemic and restricted to the Virunga region, the tracking begins with a morning briefing from the park rangers from 7:00 am, the hike in search of the primates takes 2-3 hours, the hike compared to the mountain gorillas, it is easier as the primates live along the lower slopes in the bamboo forest, they seem to always be eating as their puff cheeks are commonly caught filled with food. Other activities besides the mentioned include birding in Volcanoes National Park and cultural experiences around the national park, this will give you exposure to understanding the culture of the people of Rwanda.

In conclusion, Volcanoes National Park is the most visited conservation area, there is available accommodation around the conservation ranging from the best budget to Luxury, for example,facilities include Bisate Lodge, Sabinyo Silver Back Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Lodge, Gorilla Mountain View lodge, Virunga lodge to mention a few, the park is near to the Kigali, one can stay in Kigali and make it in the morning to the tracking point, the drive northwards through the small villages and the backdrop of the rolling mountains is angelic.