Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is part of the great Virunga volcano conservation region. It covers an area of 160km2. The region is probably best known as the base for primatologist Dian Fossey. She led the mountain gorilla conservation campaign and mobilised resources for the fight against poaching. She was buried at the research centre next to the grave of Digit, her favourite gorilla.

The national park lies in north-western Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democtratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains are located in Rwanda and the area is covered in rainforest and bamboo.

Species diversity:
Besides the famous gountain gorillas, golden monkeys, spotted hyena, buffaloes, bushbucks, black-fronted duiker and over 170 bird species have a home in the Volcanoes National Park.

Size and accessibility:
The Volcanoes National Park stretches across an area of 160 km2.

By car:
From Kigali it’s only a 2 hour drive to the Volcanoes National Park. For really early birds, it is possible to do gorilla tracking the same day, but this means you have to be at the headquarters at the park entrance by 7:00 am.

Activities:
Gorilla tracking
Hiking Karisimbi volcano (3’800m)
Visiting the tomb of Dian Fossey
Visiting the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera