Volcanoes National Park is a rich ecosystem tucked along the edges of the rift valley region, it is one of the world’s few places to find the mountain gorilla- Gorilla beringei beringei a subspecies of the eastern gorilla. The park was gazette to protect the critically endangered species of that call this home including the golden monkeys. The park is part of the great Virunga volcanic region hosting five of the eight series of peaks some of which are shared with Uganda, and the democratic republic of Congo (mountain Gahinga, mount Sabinyo, mountain Bisoke, mount Karisimbi) Karisimbi is the highest peak of the mountains in the national park. Volcanoes was featured in the movie gorillas in the mist which gained it alot of fame together with the American primatologist Dian Fossey.
The primate destination is a montane forest covered in a number of trees, climbing plants, hilly landscapes which act as homes to animal species including the mountain gorilla and the golden monkeys, Mountain gorillas live freely within the national park, they live in families of up to 20members led by a male silverback, called so because of the colour of the back, the young stars are called black backs, baby Gorillas are always under the care of their parents until the age of two. Gorillas are social, intelligent species that feed on so much plant they spend most of the day eating do not eat in one place they allow the plants to recover it’s for this reason that they keep moving from one place to another. They know no boundaries as they sometimes have a habit of crossing to the neighbourhood Uganda. There are several habituated gorilla families in the park which allow client visits. The golden monkeys are endemic to the Virunga region, beautiful as they are you will enjoy their golden black fur bodies and their puffy cheeks filled up with bamboo shoots or fruit. It is an important home to birds it hosts over 200 birds that have been recorded in the ecosystem to date.
The primary attraction of volcanoes is the mountain gorillas, Golden monkeys, Dian Fossey Hike trail which leads to the place of burial for the American primatologist at the Karisoke research center, birds of the park ,and other Mammals present for example giant forest hogs, forest elephants, duikers ,to mention. These present an opportunity to be able to perform in activities while on visit to the park top selling activity is mountain gorilla trekking, this is a hotspot that every traveller who loves primate would like to go, this process begins with buying a gorilla permit, Rwandan permits are costed at USD1500 per Gorilla permits, they are visited in groups of eight per Gorilla family per day, trekking time depends on how far the gorilla families have moved it may be 2 hours or even the whole day in search of the gentle brown eyed majestic creatures. The terrain of the park is steep so it’s advisable to consider a physical fitness while planning on a gorilla safari, it a tedious process but rewarding by the time you meet them, an hour is allowed while with the mountain gorillas.
Golden monkey tracking in the Volcanoes National Park takes place once a day, just like when you are doing mountain gorillas, you will need a permit to do the activity, the monkeys live within the bamboo forest mostly are ante so fast, so if you may need to take pictures it is important to set your camera ready so you don’t miss the best shots, these give possess. Besides Golden monkeys, there is hiking the mountains of the conservation area, hiking the Dian Fossey to pay tribute to the American primatologist who dedicated her life to gorilla well being , experience culture of the people of Rwanda from the Iby’iwacu Community.
Volcanoes National Park is the closest area to the national park to the capital city of Rwanda Kigali, approximately 2 hours drive to the park, trips to the destination can be combined together with other national parks to experience the real beauty of the land of a thousand hills. There is available accommodation near the park or one can decide to stay in Kigali.