Volcanoes National Park is a known destination in Rwanda popular for the mountain gorilla species, they are a subspecies of eastern gorilla beringei and can only survive in the highland areas. The strategic location of the national park is approximately 2-hours’ drive from the Kigali capital city, it is home to golden monkeys, a variety of birds, reptiles, and other forest creatures that make it a popular destination for trekking. The forest is approximately 160 square kilometers occupied by 5 of the series of the Virunga volcanic region (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabinyo) The national park was established in 1925, and is ranked of Africa’s oldest conservation areas bordered by Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These three points form one bio-diverse environment that’s hosts the critically endangered species.
The vast vegetation of the national park is home to abundant wildlife the key focus of wildlife species in the park is the mountain gorillas, they live freely within the forest without being captivated, feeding on the forest plants, leaves, dead tree backs, mushrooms, they in families of up to 20 individuals led by a male silverback, the bay gorillas live in the care of their mothers until the age of 2 years, besides gorillas other resident species include the golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, forest elephants, bushbucks, although these are present in the national park, they are rare to see over 160 birds are in the conservation area 18 of which are endemic to the destination.
Dian Fossey, the American primatologist made the park popular with her great works on mountain gorillas, over 18 years the lady studied gorillas and sensitized to their protection, her great works were featured in the movie Gorillas in the Mist, which made the conservation area to gain so much fame, despite these great doings, she was murdered in cold blood, and up to date her death remains a Mistry, the gorilla fund has kept her life awake by proceeding with protecting the gorillas.
Popular activities of the national park include gorilla trekking, it begins in the morning with a briefing from the park rangers, taking approximately 2 or more hours in search of the gorillas depending on how far they have moved. There are 10 habituated gorilla families in the Volcanoes National Park implying that they have been made to get used to human presence, the jumping from tree to tree and rolling nature of the primates is overwhelmingly amazing, the Dian Fossey hike is done to pay tribute to the late Dian Fossey, along the hike is beautiful with dotted butterflies, plants and flowers, Birding along the well-distributed trails of the forest for the endemic species., Golden monkey tracking is popular at the destination, they are rare species to the great Virunga volcanic region. Visit the Ibyiwacu community for cultural experiences of Rwanda, they will showcase their traditional life and how they used to live in the old days.
Doing most of the activities at Volcanoes National Park, requires you to buy permits the gorilla permit goes for $1500, and there is available accommodation around the national park ranging from the best budget to luxury, Examples of facilities include the Bisate Gorilla Lodge, mountain gorilla view lodge. It can be visited all year round.