Volcanoes National Park is popular for its resident species Mountain gorillas, these are subspecies of the eastern Gorilla Beringei they are the largest living primates and most sought after when travellers think of Rwanda. The conservation area is strategically located in the northern part of Rwanda about 2 hours drive making it the most accessible and convenient location for travellers considering a Rwanda safari. It covers an area space of approximately 160 square kilometres gazette asa way of protecting the critically endangered species that live here, the national park is part of the great Virunga Massif, together with the Mgahinga National Park of Uganda and the Virunga National Park in the. In the democratic republic of Congo, 5 of the great Virunga mountains are found within the national park (Mountain Bisoke-3711m, Mountain Karisimbi 4,507m, Mountain Gahinga3474m, Mountain Sabinyo3634 and Mountain Muhabura which is 4127m) some of these are shared with the neighbouring states along the slopes of the mountain is where to find primates of volcanoes national park.
Volcanoes National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Africa created in 1952 it was first named Park National Albert, and in 1960 it remained the present day volcanoes national park, it is characterized by a tropical montane forest, bamboo forest, marshy swampy areas, thickets and other types of growing vegetation in different altitudinal zones including Hagenia, Hypericum And other higher zone vegetation, there are animal species present in the volcanoes but it is notable for the Mountain gorillas and Golden monkeys, restricted to the Virunga region other wildlife of the park include forest elephants, bushbucks, mountain duikers, giant forest hogs, spotted hyenas, although they are rarely seen and over 180 species of birds that have been recorded in the national park to date for example francolins and the Rwenzori Turaco.
Volcanoes National Park was brought to fame by the great works of the American primatologist she initially did her work along the foothills of the Virunga however due to insecurities she moved to Karisimbi where she researched gorilla species she protected and Preached the primates to the world, but as tragedy falls, as much as Dian Fossey spent time with mountain gorillas and embarrassing wildlife she also managed to make some enemies believed to be poachers, she was murdered in cold blood, her death remains a Mistry, her great works have been passed on for generations and hikes through the park to the Dian Fossey graves are done each time travellers go to the national park.
Tracking mountain Gorillas is the major thing to do while in the national park, it is one of the few places in the world to come face to face with the gentle giants, there are 10 habituated gorilla families available for tracking, and it begins from the park visitor centre while following the rules and regulations of the gorillas, a permit to see the primate species costs $1,500for foreign non-residents and $500 extended to foreign residents and can be got directly through the Rwanda development board or a domestic ground handler. The experience is a lifetime thing to do in Africa it is important to book permits before the tacking time is set, it also requires high levels of fitness.
Golden monkeys live within the bamboo forest of the national park, they are characterized by their fur bodies covered in golden brown and a dash of black, they are endemics of the Virunga, and they are tracked just like the mountain gorillas although the hike is less tiring because the primates live in the lower slopes of the bamboo forest, it takes 2-3 hours doing the activity.
Dian Fossey tomb visit, while in the national park, you will have the reach out to the tombs of the late American primatologist who was determined to keep gorillas safe, she lost her life and was buried next to the gorillas she loved the most the hike is an amazing one as you walk through the forest, on a lucky day you might be chanced to see the critically endangered species of the mountain gorillas.
In conclusion, Volcanoes National Park can be visited any time of the year but best during the dry season between December – Febuary and June to September when the trails of the park are drier and easier to access, the conservation area is strategically placed within proximity to Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda.