What’s Unique about Volcanoes national Park? Volcanoes National Park is said to be the oldest national park in East Africa and Africa as a whole, and it is home to endangered mountain gorillas, which are always available to guests looking for adventurous gorilla tours in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is located on the boundary between Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Volcanoes National Park is well-known for being the habitat of endangered mountain gorillas.

These magnificent creatures reside in the lush forests on the slopes of the Virunga mountains. Visitors get the wonderful opportunity to walk through the forest and meet these gentle giants up close. Aside from mountain gorillas, the park also has the golden monkey, a unique primate species. Observing these active and colorful monkeys is an unforgettable experience. Other mammal species include black-fronted duikers, hyenas, bushbucks, and buffaloes, among others.

Volcanoes National Park is home to five of the eight Virunga Mountains, including Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Sabyinyo. It is Rwanda’s smallest national park, encompassing around 160km2 of rainforest and bamboos. Volcanoes National Park has many unique characteristics and activities, but only if you participate in them.

The park is home to the uncommon mountain gorilla.

One of the most distinguishing features of Volcanoes National Park is the presence of rare and extremely endangered mountain gorillas on the various slopes of the Virunga Mountains. You will need to hike different Virunga Mountains in Volcanoes National Park, including Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Bisoke, and Mountain Gahinga, to see different gorilla species that can be found on the slopes of these mountains, particularly in bamboo trees, because they eat bamboo.

Hiking in the Virunga Mountains is a rewarding experience that will provide you with an unforgettable, lifetime adventure. While on a gorilla hike, you will be able to see primate species such as red-tailed monkeys, mona monkeys, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and a variety of golden monkeys, as well as various bird species.

Consisting of five majestic Virunga mountains, Volcanoes National Park

Five of the eight Virunga Mountains, including Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura, are found in Volcanoes National Park. The most astounding fact about these magnificent volcanoes is that they are home to approximately 13 different gorilla families, including the Susa, Karisimbi, Amahoro, Titus, Kirwa, Kwitonda, Sabyinyo, Umubano, Agashya, Ugenda, and Bwenge families. These families can be spotted on a daily basis by both tourists and researchers.

Golden monkeys are endangered and can be found in Volcanoes National Park.

The only location in Rwanda where endangered golden monkeys can be found is Volcanoes National Park. In Rwanda, golden monkey trekking is permitted within the park; nevertheless, there have been a few reports of these monkeys seen in Nyungwe National Park, which also offers chimpanzee trekking. Only the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda are home to endangered golden monkeys, which are endemic to endangered mountain gorillas. Trekking these intriguing monkeys in a national park with volcanoes costs $100 per person and begins early in the morning. There are rules and restrictions for trekking that are identical to those for gorillas, which guests must follow.

The National Park of Volcanoes offers fantastic trekking opportunities.

Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park provides visitors with an amazing safari experience.While hiking in Volcano national park, you will be rewarded with a lot of intriguing attractions, such as golden monkeys in bamboo forests and the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. In addition, a wide variety of bird species, including the lovely francolin, collared apalis, Ruwenzori Turaco, red-faced woodland warbler, and odd weaver, will be visible to you, along with several gorilla families. You will also get to view the gorilla graveyard owned by Dian Fossey, where a number of gorillas, including Digit, her favorite gorilla, were killed by poachers in Volcanoes National Park. After discovering she was dead in her cabin, Dian Fossey was buried next to her gorilla buddies at this gorilla cemetery.

Where Dian Fossey is buried?

The American primatologist Dian Fossey put her life in danger to protect gorillas and other primates from extinction. Dian Fossey’s tireless efforts paid off, as she conducted daily patrols and set fire to the homes of poachers, ensuring the safety of the critically endangered mountain gorillas. Additionally, Dian Fossey used the media to alert poachers to the risks and misdeeds they were causing to the various gorilla families.

Home to more than 200 bird species

One of the most distinctive and fascinating national parks for birding safaris is Volcanoes National Park. Home to over 200 different species of birds, the park boasts a diverse range of plant life, including 29 endemic to the Albertine Rift and 13 to the Virunga Mountains. You will have the chance to see a variety of birds during Rwandan birding tours in Volcanoes National Park, including the Red-faced Barbet, Miombo Wren-warblers, Woodpecker Genolek, Red-faced Barbet, Shoebill Stork, Yellow-Eyed Black Flycatcher, Rwenzori Double Collared, Masked Mountain Apalis, Grauer’s Rush, and more.