Why Visit Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park has and still is the top visited tourist destination in magical Rwanda and if you have been to Africa and never visited it before, then you haven’t lived. There are hundreds of reasons why you have to visit Volcanoes National Park as you will discover.
At the extreme north-western corner of Rwanda lies the beautiful Volcanoes National Park covering a total area of 160 square kilometers (16000 hectares) and has always been known as the base and final resting place of the American zoologist-Dian Fossey who dedicated over 18 years in researching and conserving the mountain gorillas Therefore, listed are some of the interesting reasons you must visit Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park;
To trek the endangered mountain gorillas
Encountering the endangered Mountain gorillas is the prime reason you should visit Volcanoes National Park and the activity usually starts in the morning at Kinigi Park Headquarters. With a gorilla permit in hand and in the company of trained ranger/guides, you will make your way through the lush jungles of Volcanoes National Park following the direction from tracker who first establish the exact location of the mountain gorillas. After several hours of trekking, you will find them eating, playing or resting and spend one hour with them before going back to the looked safari Lodge/Camp.
There are currently more than 1004 mountain gorillas left in the Wild and Volcanoes National Park is a home to more than 400 of them.
Trekking the golden monkeys
Trekking the endangered Golden monkeys is another interesting reason you have to visit Volcanoes National Park and these shy primates are found in the Bamboo forest. Just like Mountain gorillas, they are habituated to get used to tourists being around them. Trekking them lasts a shorter time because the bamboo forest is found in the lower slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes.
To visit the Musanze Caves
Visiting the Musanze Caves in Musanze Town is another reason why you have to visit Volcanoes National Park because since being opened for tourism in 2013, they have become one of the best attractions for tourists to the Park. The underground Musanze Caves measure approximately 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) long and features well designed walkways as well as stairways to make it easier to tour the Musanze Caves.
Hike/climb the Virunga volcanoes.
Hiking the Virunga Volcanoes especially Karisimbi and Bisoke is another interesting reason you have to visit Volcanoes National Park. Mount Karisimbi is the most towering Virunga Volcano standing for 4507 meters above sea level and climbing lasting two days to complete while Mount Bisoke is easier with guided hikes conducted every day (for 5-6 hours) with its top featuring a stunning Crater Lake.
Dian Fossey’s Gravesite
Hiking to the gravesite of Dian Fossey, the popular American primatologist who worked tirelessly to conserve the mountain gorillas is another reason tourists visit Volcanoes National Park. Dian Fossey was murdered on 26th December 1985 within the Karisoke Research Center that she had established within the National Park and was laid to rest near her favorite Mountain gorilla Digit.
Hiking to Dian Fossey’s gravesite between the Virunga Mountains is an interesting activity to undertake during the gorilla safaris.
Also, bird watching and nature walks are interesting reasons why visiting Volcanoes National Park should by on your bucket list.
How to get to Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is found in the northern province of Rwanda, approximately 105 kilometers/2 hours’ drive from the Capital (Kigali). You can drive by private or public means to Musanze Town, the gateway into this lush National Park.