Volcanoes national park also lies in the north western Rwanda and also borders Virunga National park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Uganda. This park is also known as the haven for the mountain gorillas, its home to over five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga mountain and these include; Muhabura, Bisoke, Karisimbi, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo and covers 160 sq km in rain forest as well as bamboo. This national park was also a base for the primatologist Dian Fossey.
The Volcanoes National Park Rwanda was gazetted in 1925 as a small area surrounded by Karisimbi , Visoke and Mikeno and it was intended to protect the gorillas from the poachers. This was the first national park to be created in Africa and in 1929, the borders of this park were extended into Rwanda and into the Belgian Congo in order to form the Albert National park. This large area was run by the Belgian colonial authorities who were in charge of both colonies.
This national park later became the base for the American naturalist Dian Fossey to carry out her research into the gorillas. She arrive here in 1967 and set up the Kariskoke research centre between Karisimbi and Visoke. Since that day, she spent most of her time in the park caring for the gorillas. She was later killed by un known people at her home in 1985 and it’s a crime that is attributed to the poachers and was also portrayed on the big screen in the film Gorillas in the Mist. She was also buried in the park in a grave close to the research centre, and amongst the gorillas which became her life.
The vegetation here varies due to the large altitudinal range with in the park. There is some lower montane forest. Between 2400 and 2500m, you find the Neoboutonia forest. From 2500 to 3000m, there is the bamboo forest, there is also the Hypericum forest which is mostly humid, as well as the grassland, swamps, thickets, marshes, meadows and the small lakes.
There are many activities that can be carried out from the park and some of these include; gorilla visits and these run throughout the year. There are ten habituated gorilla groups that are open to the tourists and this allows 80 permits per day. The guests report at the park headquarters by 7:00 for a pre tracking briefing. The tourists also spend 1 hour with the gorillas once they find them. There are also the golden monkey visits, hiking of the Karisimbi volcano and this is a two day trek with overnight camping at an altitude of 3,800m, hiking the Bisoke volcano which takes one day, tour of the caves and the lakes, visiting of the Dian Fossy tomb, as well as the Iby’Iwacu cultural village tour.
The revenue from Tourism also goes to maintaining of the park and conserving of the wildlife. The remaining money goes to the government and 10% to the local projects with in the area to help the local people benefit from the heavy revenue stream that is generated from the park.
Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda
Susa Group: the largest group with 41 gorillas. This family is the hardest to trek as it tends to range high into the mountains but RDB Tourism & Conservation trackers will know well in advance where the group is located. The group is also well-known for having rare 5 year old twins named Byishimo and Impano.
Sabyinyo Group: Sabyinyo is an easily accessible group led by the powerful silverback Guhonda. There are fewer members within this family than in the other groups however they are equally impressive as a family.
Amahoro Group: led by the calm and easy going Ubumwe, Amahoro is made up of 17 members and means “peaceful”. To reach Amahoro one must endure a fairly steep climb however the climb is well worth it once in contact with this tranquil group.
Group 13: when first habituated this group had only 13 members hence its name. Now the group has approximately 25 members, a very positive sign for conservation and the efforts put forward by RDB Tourism & Conservation to protect the gorillas’ habitat.
Kwitonda Group: this 18-member group is led by Kwitonda which means “humble one” and has two silverbacks and one blackback. Having migrated from DRC, this group tends to range far making it a moderately difficult trek.
Umubano Group: a family of 11, Umubano were originally Amahoro members but broke off after the dominant silverback was challenged by Charles, now the leader of Umubano. When a young silverback challenges the dominant silverback he must steal some females from the existing group in order to form his own family; thus Umubano was formed.
Hirwa Group: this group emerged recently and was formed from different existing families, namely from Group 13 and Sabyinyo. Eventually more gorillas joined. Come witness this family continue to grow.
Gorilla Viewing Guidelines
To minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7m (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. If you are sick with a cold, flu or other contagious illness, please do not visit the gorillas.
- Viewing time is limited to one hour.
- Maximum 8 visitors per group.
- Spitting in the park is strictly prohibited.
- Should you need to cough, cover your mouth and turn away from the gorillas.
- When with the gorillas, keep your voice low.
- Try not to make rapid movements that may frighten the gorillas.
- If a gorilla should charge or vocalize at you, do not be alarmed, stand still, look away from the gorilla and follow your guide’s directions.
Do not litter.
Where to Stay in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park comprises of many accommodation options ranging from luxury to budget. They include Mount Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge/Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Luxury), Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), and Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget).
Getting to Volcanoes National Park
A gorilla visit to Volcanoes National Park starts by you landing at Kigali International Airport and then drive to northwestern Rwanda to the park about 2-3 hours. Alternatively, drive from Kabale/Bwindi National Park or Mgahinga National Park which is about 3-4 hours’ drive via Katuna or Cyanika border.
In summary, the popular Volcanoes National Park is that one exceptional destination that allows you get close to mountain gorillas while in the wild-a magical encounter you need not to miss out in Rwanda.