Best Time for a Safari in Volcanoes National Park.
It’s important for travellers planning a visit to the park to know the best time for a safari in Volcanoes National Park, which plays a key role in shaping the overall experience. Volcanoes National Park is one of the most visited destinations in Africa, found in the northern part of Rwanda. It’s part of the Virunga conservation area, which includes Mgahinga National Park, Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park, with an aim of protecting the endangered mountains. It has diverse ecosystems such as wetlands, bamboo zones, grasslands and tropical rainforests, which provide habitats to various bird and animal species. Its hosts up to 30% of the world’s mountain gorillas, 237 bird species, including forest birds, 17 Albertine Rift endemics, migratory birds, water birds and the park’s endemic species, all of which provide exceptional safari activities to travellers visiting the park. These include gorilla trekking, bird watching, golden tracking and nature walks. The park can be visited at any time of year, depending on your plans. It receives two seasons, the wet season and the dry season, both of which provide unique safari experiences to travellers visiting the park.
What is the Best Time for a Safari in Volcanoes National Park.
Wet Season
Travellers planning their safaris in Volcanoes National Park can visit during the dry season, which is from October to November and March to May. It is characterised by heavy rainfall; the park is muddy and slippery, making it hard to penetrate the park. The vegetation cover is tall and dense, which makes viewing animals from a distance challenging and taking clear pictures. During this period, gorilla trekking permits are easy to get since few people visit the park. The wet season is the best period to do bird watching in the park, as this is the breeding period for many bird species, and migratory birds always come to the park in this season. They run away from Europe due to harsh weather conditions and in search of food. The availability of abundant food in the park during this season prevents birds from going deep into the park in search of food, making bird watching easy and memorable. This season also favours budget travellers as accommodations and travel agencies give discounts during this season.
Dry Season
According to feedback from past travellers, the dry season is the best time for a safari in Volcanoes National Park, which is from June to September and December to January. During this period, the park is less muddy and slippery, making it easy to access and search for the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. The vegetation cover is short and scattered, creating clear views of wildlife species and having clear photos. This period is commonly known as the peak season, and it’s hard to get gorilla trekking permits in this season unless you book early, like three to six months.
