The Best Rwanda safaris feature Volcanoes National Park and are currently among the most sought-after experiences. Rwanda is popularly known as the land of a thousand hills because of its hilly landscapes. The country is a great primate trekking destination, home to mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and more. Despite the country’s small size, Rwanda safaris are rewarding and highly recommended for first-time and return travelers.
Volcanoes National Park is the first Key destination for the best Rwanda Safaris. The park is located in the northwestern part of the country, about a 3-hour drive from Kigali. Volcanoes National Park is part of the great Virunga conservation area, a chain of volcanic mountains along the Rwanda, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of Congo border.
The Virunga conservation area has 3 main national parks: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda. These are home to the endangered mountain gorillas and several other wildlife species. Rwanda Safaris to Volcanoes National Park mainly focus on mountain gorillas, but there is a lot more the park offers. Here are the best Rwanda Safaris you can opt for on a Volcanoes National Park Discovery Journey.
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris
Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris top the list of Volcanoes National Park adventures. With a population of over 200, Volcanoes National Park has the highest number of mountain gorillas of the 3 national parks. It has 20 gorilla families, 12 of which are open for tourism.
Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park takes 2 to 4 hours depending on the movement of the mountain gorillas. Gorilla families like Susa and Sabyinyo require more hours of hiking as gorillas move over a long range. Communicate your physical capabilities when booking your gorilla trekking adventure to be allocated a gorilla group that can be reached after a short hiking duration.
Our tailor-made Rwanda safaris to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking start from 1 Day and more. You can also book a double gorilla trek, tracking two different gorilla families. We recommend a 3-day Rwanda gorilla tour that allows you to track mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Book your best Rwanda Safaris featuring gorilla trekking for the ultimate primate trekking adventures.
Dian Fossey Hiking Experiences
Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who dedicated her life to mountain gorilla conservation. She is a key figure who paved the way for most conservation efforts towards mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains. Dian started her research work in 1967, founding the Karisoke Centre, where she based herself to explore the Virungas and study more about mountain gorillas.
The world got to know about mountain gorillas thanks to her research and publications. She was murdered in 1985 and was buried near her favorite gorilla digit. Hike to the Dian Fossey tomb and learn about her conservation work on your next Rwanda safari.
The Dian Fossey hiking trail offers impressive scenic views and wildlife species, including birds and primates. It takes about 6 hours to complete the hike, and it requires a certain degree of physical fitness. Add the Dian Fossey hike to your itinerary for an insightful understanding of the park’s conservation journey.
Golden Monkey Trekking safaris
Golden monkeys, just like their name, are covered with golden fur. They are endemic to the Virunga mountains, and Volcanoes National Park is among the best places to see them. Golden monkeys live in the light bamboo forest zone, reachable after a 1 to 2-hour hike.
The golden monkey hike also allows you an opportunity to see other wildlife species, including birds. Golden monkeys are, however, a highlight of this hike, and meeting them in the wild is truly rewarding. You are allowed to stay up in their presence for up to an hour, observing and learning more about them.
Virunga Mountains Hiking
Two of the five Virunga mountains in Volcanoes National Park are hikeable. Mount Karisimbi hike takes two 2 days, with climbers spending a night on the mountain. This hike is adventurous, offering great wildlife viewing opportunities. It also offers great scenic views of other Virunga mountains and the surrounding lowland areas.
Mount Bisoke is the other mountain hiking option in Volcanoes National Park. The mountain summit’s crater Lake is one of its most iconic features. Even though it is rare to see gorillas on these mountain hikes, the overall hiking experience is refreshing. You can have the best Rwanda Safaris to Volcanoes National Park featuring gorilla trekking, golden monkeys, and one of the mountain hikes.
This is the time to book your Discovery Journeys adventure to Rwanda as gorilla permits get fully booked months in advance. Rwanda’s peak tourist season is from June to September, and also doubles as a dry season. During this time, hiking, trekking, and overall wildlife viewing and photography are great. Email us to start customizing your best Rwanda safaris and exclusive journeys of discovery.
