Best Tourist Activities in Volcanoes National Park.
Best Tourist Activities in Volcanoes National Park: Volcanoes National Park is one of the most remarkable safari destinations in Africa, situated in the northwestern part of Rwanda. It’s part of the greater Virunga conservation area, aimed to protect the endangered wildlife species. It’s one of the oldest national parks in Africa, established in 1925, and it spans an area of approximately 160 square kilometers making it the smallest national park in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is the most visited safari destination in Rwanda, celebrated for hosting the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, which attracts countless tourists globally to have a close encounter with these endangered species.
The park has a rich biodiversity, hosting up to 30% of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, 12 primate species, 237 bird species, 36 mammal species, reptiles and butterflies, which beautifies the park. The rich biodiversity is supported by the park’s diverse natural systems, which provide habitats to various wildlife and bird species, such as wetlands, grasslands, montane forests, and bamboo forests. The park’s rich biodiversity supports various activities which travellers can enjoy on their safari in the park, including gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, bird watching, nature walks and cultural encounters. If you are planning your safari in Africa, Volcanoes National Park should be added to your bucket list as it promises a unique blend of thrilling encounters and breathtaking landscapes.
Best Tourist Activities in Volcanoes National Park.
Bird Watching.
Volcanoes National Park is a paradise for bird watching, with over 237 bird species found in the park, like Albertine Rift endemics, forest birds, migratory birds, water birds and the park’s endemics. Birding is a guided activity led by an experienced park birder who assists visitors by identifying various bird species by their calls and sounds, and gives more information about the bird species encountered. The birds to encounter in the park include Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Collared Apalis, Stranger Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing, Rwenzori Double- collared Sunbird, Hottentot Teal, African Black Duck, Yellow-billed Duck, Handsome Francolin, Little Grebe, Speckled Pigeon, African Olive Pigeon, Dusky Turtle Dove, Mourning Collared Dove, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Diederick Cuckoo, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Crake, Red-knobbed Coot, Grey Crowned Crane, Ruwenzori Turaco, Black-billed Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Marabou, Yellow-billed Stork, European White Stork, Pink-backed Pelican, Hamerkop, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Black-headed Heron, Goliath Heron, Purple Heron, Little Egret, African Sacred Ibis, Hadada Ibis, Great Cormorant, Hooded Vulture, Crowned Eagle, Martial Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Tawny Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Lizard Buzzard, African Marsh Harrier, Lizard Buzzard, Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Black Sparrowhawk, Black Kite, Augur Buzzard, Eurasian Buzzard.
Gorilla Trekking.
This is one of the best tourist activities in Volcanoes National Park, which attracts countless travellers across the globe to have a close encounter with these gentle giants in their natural habitats. Gorilla trekking is a guided activity led by an experienced park ranger who gives more insights about the park’s inhabitants encountered. Trekking involves hiking through the dense forest in search of the mountain gorillas, and on good days, visitors might encounter various animals and birds like elephants, duikers, buffaloes and more. Trekking takes between 2 and 6 hours, depending on where the gorillas slept at night, and once located, participants are given one hour to be with them. Gorillas are our closest relatives on earth, and seeing them in their natural habitats is one in a lifetime experience which primate lovers shouldn’t miss. They will observe them as they feed, mothers taking care of the young ones, playing, silverback protecting his family, just like humans.
Nature Walks.
Nature walks in Volcanoes National Park allow travellers to explore the park’s stunning views of the ranges and its rich biodiversity on foot. This is a guided activity led by an experienced guide who gives more important information about the park’s inhabitants they might encounter. Visitors can walk through the dense forests, open clearings and the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes, which offer the opportunity to spot colourful bird species, flora and fauna. The park has various trails suitable for nature walks, like those leading to scenic Twin Lakes Ruhondo and Burera or the peaceful Musanze caves, which blend beauty with cultural and geological significance. Nature walks allow travellers to fully connect with nature without the intensity of long treks.
Golden Monkey Tracking.
Golden monkey tracking is one of the best tourist activities in Volcanoes National Park, which gives primatologists and nature lovers an opportunity to encounter these playful monkeys. This is a guided activity led by an experienced park ranger who gives more information about the park’s inhabitants encountered. Unlike gorilla trekking, it’s easy to locate golden monkeys in the bamboo forests. Golden monkeys spend most of their time playing and swinging from tree to tree, which makes taking clear photos challenging. They live in bigger groups of up to 70 individuals, and participants will have a chance to see them playing, feeding, and taking care of each other, which is an amazing experience
