Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda covering 160 kilometers. It was established in 1925 and encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga mountains that is Bisoke, Gahinga, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, and Muhabura. Volcanoes National Park is bordered by Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. It is the home of the mountain gorillas as well as the golden monkey and is also a home to re-known primatologist Dian Fossey.

The Park was first gazetted as a small area bounded by Mikeno, Karisimbi, and Bisoke and its main reason was to protect the mountain gorillas from the invading poachers that were roaming into the national park. Dian Fossey arrived in 1967 and set up the Karisoke Research Center situated between Karisimbi and Bisoke where she spent most of her time researching mountain gorillas. She is mostly credited for her love and dedication to saving the mountain gorillas. However, she was gunned down by unknown assailants at her home in 1985. She was buried in the Volcanoes National closer to the research center amidst the mountain gorillas that became part of her life.

Things to do in Volcanoes

Volcanoes National Park has a range of activities that include the following;

Gorilla trekking

This is one of the major activities carried out in Volcanoes National Park. Most tourists to the volcanoes are always excited to embark on a life-changing experience as they get to meet the mountain gorillas in their habitat. To trek these gentle giants, one should observe the rules which include the following;

All tourists entering the national park for gorilla trekking should ensure that they are not suffering from any cough or flu as well as other infectious diseases because these could catch the mountain gorillas.

You are also advised to bury human waste in a 30cm (12 inches) deep. The maximum number of visitors that are supposed to visit the gorillas is eight per gorilla group

The minimum age for tracking the gorillas is 15 years, Tourists are also advised to maintain a 7-meter distance from the mountain gorillas. Tourists are advised not to use flash photography because this may lead to a gorilla attacking and charging at you in most cases, they may think you want to start a fight with them. Tourists are only permitted to visit the mountain gorillas for only one hour.

In case of any cough or sneezing during gorilla trekking, you are advised to cover your face and turn away from the gorillas because they can catch the flu or cold like human beings.

Cost of Gorilla Permit

A normal gorilla trekking permit costs USD1,500 and it is worth it as you come face to face with man’s closest relatives.

Golden Monkey Trekking

This is also one of the major reasons tourists travel to Volcanoes National Park. The national park has habituated troops of golden monkeys and the most visited group is found on the slopes of Sabyinyo with over 100 individuals. Golden monkey tracking is made possible with the help of your tour operator who will organize in pay the permit through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and this can be purchased at USD100 at the moment though the price can change with a change in the government tax range.