Top Activities to do in Volcanoes National Park.
The top activities to do in Volcanoes National Park are the different ventures that travellers can engage in on their safari in the park. It’s one of the most visited national parks in Rwanda, commonly known for hosting the endangered mountain gorillas. Volcanoes National Park is found in the northwestern region of Rwanda, bordering Mgahinga National Park and Virunga National Park. It’s part of the Virunga conservation area, which aims to protect endangered animal species in their natural habitats. It’s the smallest national park in the country, spanning an area of about 160 square kilometres. It has a rich biodiversity, home to over 238 bird species, 26 mammal species, 12 primate species, 30% of the world’s total population of gorillas, butterflies and reptiles. The park has a mix of ecosystems which provide habitats to various wildlife and bird species, such as wetlands, tropical rainforests, woodlands and grasslands. Volcanoes National Park offers various activities to nature enthusiasts like gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, nature walks, bird watching, hiking and cultural encounters, which provide exceptional safari experiences to all travellers visiting the park.
Top Activities to do in Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla Trekking.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is one of the most amazing activities for nature enthusiasts and primatologists, which gives them an opportunity to come up close with these gentle giants. The park has over 12 habituated gorilla families, which are ready to be in human presence. This is a guided activity led by an experienced park guide who gives more insights about the park’s inhabitants encountered. Trekking begins in the morning with a briefing on the rules and regulations of the activity, and participants are divided into groups of eight, and each group is assigned a gorilla family and a ranger. Trekking involves hiking through the steep slopes in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking takes between 2 and 7 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. Once located, participants are given strictly one hour to be with them. They will observe them as they feed, groom the young ones, play, Silverback taking care of the family. This is one in a lifetime experience that shouldn’t be missed by nature lovers planning their safari in the land of a thousand hills.
Bird Watching.
Bird watching is one of the top activities to do in Volcanoes National Park, which allows bird lovers to explore the park’s unique bird species. Bird watching is best done in the morning or late afternoon hours when birds are most active. Bird lovers will find the park a paradise for birding with over 238 bird species, including Albertine Rift endemics, forest birds, water birds, migratory birds and the park’s endemic species. Some of the bird species to encounter in a birding safari include Red-faced Crimson-wing, Shelley’s Crimson-wing, Zebra Waxbill, Bronze Mannikin, Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, House Sparrow, Cape Wagtail, Mountain Wagtail, Oriole Finch, Black-throated Canary, Archer’s Ground Robin, 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, Red-eyed Dove, Ring-necked Dove, Laughing Dove, African Green Pigeon, Tambourine Dove, Scarce Swift, African Palm Swift, Alpine Swift, White-rumped Swift, Little Swift, African Swift, Blue-headed Coucal, 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.
Golden Monkey Tracking.
Golden monkey tracking is one of the best things to do in Volcanoes National Park, which involves walking through the bamboo forests in search of these playful monkeys. Golden monkey tracking begins in the morning with a briefing about the rules of the activity. This is a guided activity led by a knowledgeable park guide who gives more insightful information about the park’s inhabitants encountered. Golden monkey tracking is easy compared to mountain gorilla trekking; it takes about 1- 3 hours, depending on the movement of these playful monkeys, as they keep on moving from one place to another. Once located, visitors will spend one hour with them observing them in their natural habitats. They will see golden monkeys playing from one tree top to another, feeding, mothers taking care of the young ones, which is a unique experience.
Nature Walks.
Nature walks are among the top activities to do in Volcanoes National Park, which allows travellers to explore the park’s stunning views of 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.
Best time to visit the Park.
The park can be visited year-round, and the best time is determined by the traveller’s preferences. Volcanoes National Park receives two seasons: the dry season and the wet season. The dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February, is the most preferred period by travellers. This season is characterised by little to no rainfall, and the park is less muddy and slippery, making it easy to search for primates and birds in their natural habitats.
