What Makes Volcanoes National Park A Unique Gorilla Trekking Destination In Africa
What Makes Volcanoes National Park A Unique Gorilla Trekking Destination In Africa
What Makes Volcanoes National Park A Unique Gorilla Trekking Destination In Africa : Volcanoes national park also known as Parc Parc Des Vulcan’s in French and Pariki Yigihugu yibirungu in Kinyarwanda (Local language) is a renowned gorilla trekking destination in Africa. The park is part of the only 4 gorilla homes in the world and is found in the Great Virunga Conservation Area, Volcanoes national park is hosts approximately 13 habituated gorilla families residing in an area of approximately 160 square kilometers. The area of Volcanoes national park comprises of 5 of the Virunga Mountains and the mountain gorillas love to spend time on their slopes.
In addition to gorilla trekking, you can also hike to any of these Five Mountains that make up Volcanoes national park and these include Karisimbi Mountain, Bisoke Mountain, Gahinga Mountain, Muhavura Mountain, and Sabyinyo Mountain. These mountains have varying vegetation zones which provide great scenery that is not easily seen on land. Sometimes, the mountain gorillas also hike on these slopes in search for food most especially Bamboo which is their favorite meal.
Volcanoes national park is also home to a unique species that is the Golden monkeys which are only found in Virunga Mountains, the park is also a host for abundant birdlife including Albertine endemics which attract more birders to the park.
Visitors to the park can also locate the grave of Dian Fossey – a gorilla heroin who dedicated her life to the service of mountain gorillas and their conservation.
Volcanoes national park is a wonderland for wildlife lover and wildlife activities including gorilla trekking
HIGHLIGHTS IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Golden Monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Hiking Mountains in Volcanoes National Park
Birding in Volcanoes National Park
Taking the Dian Fossey Trek in Volcanoes National park
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Trekking is the main tourism activity in Rwanda and it is done only in Volcanoes national park, the park hosts 13 gorilla trekking families that have been habituated and opened for tourism.
Gorilla trekking families in Volcanoes national park include Sabyinyo gorilla family, the Susa Gorilla family, Group 13 gorilla family, the Amahoro gorilla family, Karisimbi gorilla Family, Umubano Gorilla Family among others.
Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey is a fun activity and it is only done in the Virunga area in the world and volcanoes national park is one of the habitats of these beautiful endangered monkey specie in the world.
During golden monkey trekking, you trek through the jungle and you will find these semi-habituated troupes in the bamboo vegetation, they are more active than mountain gorillas and they will keep you on your toes almost through the adventure.
Golden monkeys are physically larger than other monkeys that inhabit in this forest, their golden brown fur covers almost half of the body and it is from this that they acquire this name.
While golden monkey trekking, you will see the golden monkeys and also spot other primates including black and white colobus, L’Hoest’s, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons among others .
Mountain Climbing in Volcanoes National Park
Hiking on one of the Virunga Volcanoes found in Volcanoes national park will give you better views of the dense volcanoes forest, the hike may last a day on a return adventure. Volcanoes national park has a total of 5 volcanoes including Mount Muhavura, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabyinyo.
On the hike, you will go through different vegetation zones according to an altitude between 2400m to 2500m Neoboutania, 2500m to 3200m Arundinaria, and 3200m to 3600m Hagenia- Hypericum. These are also feeding grounds for the primates that live in the park, if you wish to take great canopy photography of the Volcanoes forest. Hiking is to the best activity to take the photos.
Birding in Volcanoes National Park
During gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park, you get a double opportunity to spot the gorillas and a number of birds inclusive of Albertine endemics.
Volcanoes national park hosts approximately 90 bird species including 13 species which are endemic, some of the birds you will spot in Volcanoes national park include Shelley’s Crimson wings, handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco and Arche’s Robin chat among others.
Dian Fossey Trek in Volcanoes National Park
Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who dedicated all her life to researching and conservation of mountain gorillas, through her research she brought the gorillas to the attention of the world and provided to the current details of gorilla trekking in Africa. By 1980s, the gorillas were on a verge of extinction due to activities of humans, in 1967 she set up the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda which become a base to all her work. Including humans in the lives of mountain gorillas at least for a small part of the day reduced the animosity between the two homosapiens.
By allowing humans to have some limited time with the mountain gorillas, filmmakers were enticed to create something out of her efforts and they were well depicted in the film “Gorillas in the Mist” which as part of Dian Fossey’s research and writings.
Unfortunately, she was killed in 1985 by unknown people. Her love for the mountain gorillas followed her to the grave and she was buried amongst the gorillas which was her push. Part of her work still exists and an institution was set up in her memory.
When you visit the Dian Fossey Grave during your Rwanda Safari in Volcanoes national park, you greatly contribute to conserving the endangered mountain gorillas. The number of mountain gorillas are rising and as of today the population of mountain gorillas is over 1000 gorillas from 250 mountain gorillas recorded in 1980s.
Kigali City Tour Before or After Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
It is impossible to go gorilla trekking without passing through Kigali City – the cleanest stay in Africa, in case you arrive in Kigali City you will have a Kigali city Tour which will give you a glimpse of the commercial life of Rwandese, the incredible views of the green surroundings which are refreshing.
Kigali City is one of the cleanest and organized cities in Africa with strict rules especially concerning eco-city, dumping garbage careless in the city is punishable by law which is the rare thing in most cities in Africa.
You will also visit Genocide Memorial centers which represent the 100 days of the 1994 Rwanda genocide, some of the memorial centers include the Kigali genocide memorial, St Families church, and Gisozi Genocide Memorial. Some of the names of the victims of the Rwanda genocide are scribed on the wall with horrific stories about what transpired.
You will also visit the ethnological museum of Rwanda, the shopping centers and so much more.
HOW MUCH IS GORILLA TREKKING IN RWANDA
A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs $1500 per person per trek, you must the availability from Rwanda Development Board or your tour operator or agent and purchase the permit as soon as possible because they are few yet highly demanded.
In Volcanoes national park there is so far 13 gorilla families which are open to the public, only 8 permits per family are release and visitors are supposed to be 15 year and above to participate in gorilla trekking.
Note: Mountain gorillas are basically vegetarian and visitors are not allowed to go with food into the forest.
BEST TIME TO DO GORILLA TREKKING IN RWANDA
The best time to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park is June to September and December to mid-January, these months are less humid and friendlier to activities like gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park. Although the forest is thick, some sunray penetrates this time to dry some water off the ground.
The rainy seasons that is March to May and November have rivers overflowing, the ground is soft and soggy, slippery slopes and so much more. This however doesn’t stop gorilla trekking but you need to pack a raincoat and tracking boots to walk through the forest.
Accommodations in Volcanoes National Park
In Volcanoes national park there is a wide range of accommodations available for you to book, these range from Upmarket, Midrange or Budget accommodations. Some of these accommodations are located close to the park, however you can also spend the night in Kigali City too.
Some of the accommodations in Volcanoes national park include Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Hotel Mille Collines, Gorilla Volcanoes Hotel, Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Village, Best View Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.
Packing List For Gorilla Trekking Safari in Volcanoes National Park
While on a safari in the jungle of Volcanoes national park, you need to protect your hair from flying insects in the jungle. Some of the items which should not miss in your packing list include
Flask-Less Camera – to capture and keep memories of your experience in the jungle
Sweater or fleece – to keep you warm because it gets cold in the jungle
Pajamas
A pair of Binoculars – for observing far – ranging attractions
Tracking boots – to protect your feet from rough surfaces in the jungle
Rain Coat or Poncho – to protect you from the rains while in search for the gorillas
Snacks – most especially energy givers
Long – sleeved short and convertible trousers
Insect repellents
First Aid box with some medication in case you get injured.
