In the heart of Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains, Volcanoes National Park stands inhabited with the world's most sought-after primates, the mountain gorillas and Golden Monkeys living freely in the wild within the bamboo misty forest.
Volcanoes National Park also has more wildlife species besides the primates; these include the Forest elephants, though rarely seen, Buffaloes, bushbucks, and giant forest hogs, Black-and-white colobus monkeys and L’Hoest’s monkeys, and over 200 bird species, including Albertine Rift endemics like the Rwenzori turaco.
Volcanoes National Park, nestled in the misty highlands of northwestern Rwanda, is one of Africa’s most iconic protected areas. Established in 1925, it’s the oldest national park in Africa and one of the few homes of the mountain gorillas, where Diana Fossey based for research and conservation efforts. Once said, “The mist that rises from these volcanoes carries the breath of the gorillas.
Location & Landscape
Volcanoes National Park is only 65miles from Kigali city, about a 2–3-hour drive by road. The park is part found in the Musanze District in the northern part of Rwanda, near the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which are all Part of the Virunga Conservation area with a chain of Virunga dormant volcanoes including Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo, distributed in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo.
Attractions in Volcanoes National Park
Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is home to over 380 mountain gorillas, making it one of the most important habitats for this critically endangered species. These gentle giants—Gorilla (beringei beringei) live in tight-knit family groups led by dominant silver-backs and traverse the misty slopes of the Virunga Mountains, which span Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mountain Gorillas are so unique as they share 98.67% of human DNA, with behaviors like grooming, nurturing young, and forming deep social bonds that mimic human behavior.
They are diurnal creatures, active from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, spending much of their day searching for wild food and resting.
Mountain gorillas build new nests every evening from surrounding vegetation, where infants sleep with their mothers, while adults nest solo.
Golden Monkeys
Golden monkeys leap through bamboo forests like sparks of sunlight. These rare primates—Cercopithecus mitis kandti, a subspecies of the blue monkey—are endemic to the Virunga Mountains, Volcanoes National Park, and Mgahinga National Park are some of the places on Earth where you can track the endangered Golden monkeys in the wild. Volcanoes National Park plays a vital role in their protection, with two habituated troops available for tourism and research.
Golden Monkeys have a Striking Appearance from their golden-orange fur that contrasts beautifully with dark limbs and tails, making them easy to spot as they swing through the canopy.
Golden monkeys are Social Creatures and live in troops of 30 to 100, led by a dominant male. Troop Size: The Sabyinyo troop is the largest, with 80–100 individuals, offering dynamic interactions and great photo opportunities. You’ll often see them grooming, playing, and foraging together.
Golden Monkeys have a Unique Behavior; they are more active and curious than gorillas expect, movement, mischief, and moments of surprise.
Golden monkeys are expressive; Gestures, facial expressions vocalizations are their way of communication and interaction. Young monkeys often call to show submission, while males assert dominance through vocal displays.
They weave bamboo nests high in the trees and return to the same sleeping spots each night.
Volcano Hiking in Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park is endowed with 5 of the Virunga volcanoes that include: Bisoke, Karisimbi, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo. Four of these volcanoes are hiked. The Volcano hikes offer some of the most breathtaking experiences and great views of the landscape, the park, wildlife, and a peek into Uganda & DR Congo from the high point. Each volcano trail takes you through the misty forests, alpine meadows, and ancient lava flows to crater lakes or Rwanda’s highest peak, a quite thrilling adventure. Each volcano trail unveils its rhythm, difficulty, and, of course, a reward of conquering the summits.
Popular Safari Activities in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Tracking in Volcanoes National Park: A Gorilla Encounter in the Mist
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a lifetime chance to encounter the mountain gorillas in the mist. Meeting these mountain gorillas in the wild is a soul-filling experience. The gorilla trek is a guided activity by expert trackers and rangers, where visitors hike through bamboo forests and steep terrain for 2 to 8 hours in search of the mountain gorillas. The duration of the trek is solely dependent on the gorillas’ location and movements. Once they are found, visitors spend one hour observing them, watching them feed, groom, and play, just a few feet away.
Gorilla Families in Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is home to over 15 habituated mountain gorilla families, each with its own story, personality, and terrain. These families are the soul of Rwanda’s gorilla trekking experience, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the lives of our closest wild cousins. Each group offers a unique trekking experience; some are easier to reach, others require stamina and altitude adjustment, and are a living story of resilience, leadership, and kinship. The gorilla families that are open for visitors to track with each visited by a maximum of 8 people per day.
Gorilla Permits Booking in Rwanda
A Gorilla Permit Costs $1,500 for foreign non-residents; $500 for residents; $200 for East African citizens. Contact Gorilla & East Africa Safari to secure your gorilla permit in Rwanda. Visitors should book at least 3 months in advance, especially during peak seasons, as the permits sell out quickly.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park is a lively, fascinating experience that allows you to watch these endangered primates, Cercopithecus kandti, in the Virunga Mountains. Their vibrant golden-orange fur, acrobatic antics, and overall playful nature make them a joy to observe.
The exercise starts at Kinigi Headquarters by 7:00 AM for a briefing, followed by the actual trek led by expert guides/rangers into the Bamboo Forest, where you’ll hike for 1–2 hours, following trails of chewed bamboo and rustling leaves. The monkeys often forage near the forest edge, making them easier to find.
Enjoy One Hour with the Troop: Once located, you will spend you’ll spend 60 minutes watching them leap, groom, and chatter. Their expressive faces and social behavior are captivating. The overall Golden monkey activity may last from 2-4hours.
Golden Monkey Permit Booking in Rwanda
Permit Cost: $100 for foreign visitors; discounts available for East African citizens and residents.
Contact Gorilla & East Africa Safari to help you reserve your Golden monkey permit and safari in Rwanda. Visitors should book at least 3 months in advance, especially during peak seasons, as the permits sell out quickly.
Hike to Daina Fossey’s Grave
The hike to Diana Fossey’s grave in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a deeply moving journey that blends misty mountain beauty with the powerful story of a woman who gave her life to protect mountain gorillas. To walk the trail Diana Fossey once walked is to feel the pulse of her passion—for gorillas, for justice, for the wild. It’s quiet, moving, and deeply personal.
Diana Fossey’s grave is located 3000meters above sea level, between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi, and takes about 2–4 hours round trip, depending on pace and weather.
The hike is moderate, muddy, and steep in some places, especially during the rainy season. If lucky, you will have wildlife encounters such as the Golden monkeys, forest birds.
On this hike, you will also visit the Karisoke Research Center Museum, which is where she spent most of her life with the gorillas in the mist. The center was founded by Diana Fossey in 1967. This was her sanctuary and scientific base, where you can learn about her life and efforts in conserving the mountain gorillas.
Volcano Hiking in Volcanoes National Park- Rwanda
Volcano Hiking Guide;
Mount Bisoke, 3,711 m above sea level, is a less challenging hike that takes about 6–7 hours round trip with great views of the Stunning crater lake at the summit, lush montane forest, and, if lucky, you can see some golden monkeys. Bisoke is ideal for day hikes.
Mount Karisimbi, 4,507 m above sea level, is a 2-day trek. This is Rwanda’s highest peak, with snow snow-capped summit, with Afro-alpine zone, and rare flora. The hike is more Challenging yet rewarding, it's overnight camping at 3,700m, and gives breathtaking panoramic views.
Mount Muhabura, 4,127 m above sea level, is a 6–10 hours round-trip hike, a bit strenuous given its steepness. Muhabura stands at the border of Uganda, while at the top, you will be treated to stunning Panoramic views of Rwanda and Uganda, the steep volcanic cone, the Crater Lake, and views of Lakes Burera & Ruhondo.
Mount Gahinga, 3,473 m above sea level, is only 4–6 hours round trip with gentle slopes; the volcano shares its name with Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, another home to mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys. Mount Gahinga is easy and Moderate with half-day treks. You will be treated to sights of scenic ridges, bamboo forests, and lots of birds. Gentle slopes, bamboo forests, and bird watching
Mount Sabyinyo, 3,669 m above sea level, is known as “Old Man’s Teeth” for its jagged peaks, standing at the tri-border point of Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo. The only one not hiked from the Rwandan side, for it's too rugged on the Rwandan side; hikes are done from Uganda.
Cultural Encounter - A visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
A Visit to Iby’Iwacu cultural village is to embrace and appreciate Rwanda’s cultural heritage, while at the village, you will be welcomed with Drumming, Intore warrior dances, and joyful singing by village performers. The village is a few minutes outside of Volcanoes National Park, by once the poachers and now ambassadors of conservation of the mountain gorillas. You will experience a lot of cultural activities, something that adds flavor and experience to your safari.
Musanze Cave Trek
Musanze Cave is a captivating geological and cultural landmark located in Musanze District, just outside Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda. Stretching over 2 kilometers with more than 30 natural entrances, this cave system was formed around 65 million years ago by lava flows from the Virunga volcanoes, especially Mount Bisoke and Mount Sabyinyo. Musanze Cave is just 2 kilometers from Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi, making it an easy and rewarding add-on to your gorilla trekking or volcano hiking adventure.
Musanze cave contains dark tunnels, stalactites, and streams trickling from the rock ceiling, and is Home to thousands of bats, whose whispers and wing beats echo through the silence. The cave offers stunning views of surrounding volcanoes like Karisimbi, Muhabura, and Gahinga.
The cave has cultural & historical significance in Rwanda as the cave was used in ancient times for crowning Rwandan kings and also served as a refuge during the 1994 genocide, sheltering thousands.
The local communities use it as a site of spiritual meditation and storytelling.
Musanze Cave treks are guided by local guides, and they can last between 2-3hours with great sights and stories.
Vegetation Zones of Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park has different vegetation zones, from Bamboo Forests: Crucial habitat for gorillas and monkeys, to Hagenia-Hypericum Forests: Moss-draped trees and orchids, and Afro-Alpine Zone: Giant lobelias and senecios at high altitudes.
Climate & Best Time to Visit
Volcanoes National Park is Cool and damp year-round, with average daytime temps around 15°C
The best time to travel to Volcanoes National Park is in the dry season between June–September, December - March; these months are best for both trekking and hiking. However, the park is open all year round, and all these activities can be done at any time. Rainy months offer lush scenery, vibrant bird life, and less crowded but can make trails slippery.
Where to stay in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park offers a variety of accommodation with options ranging from luxurious lodges to cozy guesthouses, each designed to complement the park’s misty mountains and wildlife encounters. The available accommodation facilities cater to all budget scales
