Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, Location, Best Gorilla Tours & Lodges

Volcanoes National Park is located in a small village called Musanze previously well-known as Ruhengeri, which is very accessible by public transport from Gisenyi or Kigali or the airport. The drive to Volcanoes National Park is 2 hrs and hence one can do gorilla tracking on the same day and drive back to Kigali after the trek.

Volcanoes National Park is a stop centre for all Rwanda gorilla safaris sheltering the highest number of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation area. The strategic location of the VNP roughly 2 hours drive from Kigali International Airport make it the most accessible gorilla national park in the world. Besides gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is a home for golden monkeys, a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects among other creatures which together make a complete Rwanda safari package.

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda Facts

Spanning a 160 sqkm area in the northern part of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is part of the great Virunga volcano conservation region spanning Virunga National Park in Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda Things To Do

1. Mountain Gorilla Tracking.
2. Tracking Golden Monkeys.
3. Visiting the Tomb of Dian Fossey.
4. Hiking Mount Karisimbi Volcano.
5. Mount Bisoke Hike.
6. Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda Photos

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda Wildlife

The Gorilla permit allows you to visit the endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The Rwanda gorilla permit is sold at $1,500 per person and it guarantees a traveler one hour in the presence of gorillas. Majorly gorilla permits are booked through local tour agents who deposit them for booking and finally purchase them on behalf of the traveler as the trekking day approaches. Due to the high demand and the strict gorilla conservation regulations in Rwanda, which limit the number of permits to be issued per day, travelers are recommended to make permit bookings at least six months before their trekking date. There are 10 habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park and each family is visited by only 8 trekkers per day. This means that Rwanda issues only 80 gorilla permits per day for gorilla trekking.

Although Rwanda’s gorilla permit is the most expensive of all the 3 mountain gorilla trekking destinations (at $1,500), the country still attracts the highest number of gorilla trekkers in the region. This is due to some factors that give Rwanda an advantage over its neighbors as far as gorilla trekking is concerned. These include a good transport network evidenced by the well-tanned roads right from the airport to the park. The short distance between the airport and the park which takes just 3 hours of driving is another favourable factor. High-quality accommodation facilities with good services for all categories of travelers which include luxury, midrange, and budget facilities also give Rwanda another competitive advantage over Uganda and DR Congo. Guaranteed security in and around Volcanoes National Park is another encouraging factor that attracts thousands of travelers to trek gorillas here. Finally, the gorilla trekking exercise in Volcanoes National Park is less tenacious compared to other trekking destinations like Bwindi which is very hilly and with dense vegetation.

Volcanoes National Park Lodges

Best places and where to stay while on your Rwanda Safari tour.

One & Only Gorilla’s Nest

Surrounded by swaying eucalyptus trees, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest awakens a wild spirit of adventure. A place that encourages you to gaze into the mirror through eye-opening encounters with majestic mountain gorillas.

Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

This Boutique Hotel is located close to the headquarters of the Volcanoes National Park. Set in a colonial style structure, the lodge offers the most affordable luxury accommodation within a setting with the picturesque vistas of the peaks of the Virunga Region.

Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Davinci Gorilla Lodge is committed to sustainability and conservation. The Davinci team works closely with local communities to promote eco-tourism and protect endangered species while focusing on the use of eco-friendly practices in our lodge operations.

Volcanoes National Park Tours To Inspire You.

JimJam Safaris And Tours Offers unique affordable safaris. Embark on gorilla trekking in Rwanda for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness these incredible gentle giants up close while contributing to their preservation and sustainable tourism.

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