Top Safari Activities in Volcanoes National Park.
Travellers hearing about the park for the first time often search for the top safari activities found in Volcanoes National Park, and this blog will discuss them. The park is situated in the northwestern part of Rwanda, bordering DR Congo and Uganda. The park was established in 1925, aimed to protect the endangered mountain gorillas, making it one of the oldest national parks in Africa. It’s within the Virunga Mountains, which provide breathtaking views of various ranges. Volcanoes National Park is one of the most visited national parks in Rwanda, celebrated for hosting the endangered mountain gorillas, which attracts thousands of primatologists and nature lovers to have a close encounter with these gentle giants.
It’s not only home to the endangered mountain gorillas, but it also hosts up to 237 bird species, 12 primate species, butterflies, and reptiles. The park’s rich biodiversity is supported by diverse ecosystems, which provide habitats to various wildlife and bird species. The park offers various activities that cater to all travellers’ needs. Such as bird watching, cultural encounters, gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, nature walks and hiking, all of which offer exceptional safari experiences. If you are seeking tranquillity and true African adventure, Volcanoes National Park should be added to your bucket list.
Top Safari Activities in Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla Trekking.
This is one of the most amazing activities to do in Volcanoes National Park, which gives nature lovers an opportunity to have a close encounter with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Mountain gorillas are our closest relatives on Earth, sharing 98% of human DNA. Gorilla trekking involves hiking through the steep slopes, and participants should assess their level of fitness. The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years, since it involves hiking through the dense forest in search of the gorillas. This is a guided activity led by an experienced park guide, and it starts with a briefing about the dos and don’ts. After participants head into the forest in search of gorillas. Gorilla trekking takes between 2 and 7 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. Once located, they are given 1 hour to observe their behaviours. They will see them feed, play, groom the young ones and look for food, which is one in a lifetime experience.
Bird Watching.
Bird watching is one of the top safari activities in Volcanoes National Park, which allows bird lovers to explore the park’s unique bird species. The park is a haven for bird watching, with over 237 bird species, including forest birds, Albertine Rift endemics, water birds, and migratory birds. Some of the birds found in the park include Ruwenzori Turaco, Black-billed Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, MarabouDusky 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, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Diederick Cuckoo, Collared Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Olive Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Bronzy Sunbird, Malachite Sunbird, Olive-bellied Sunbird, Scarlet-tufted Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Variable Sunbird, Copper Sunbird, Yellow Bishop, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Archer’s Ground Robin,Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Yellow-billed Stork, European White Stork, Pink-backed Pelican, Hamerkop, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Lagden’s Bush-shrike, Northern Puffback, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Albertine Sooty Boubou, Mountain Sooty Boubou, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Lühder’s Bush-shrike, Fork-tailed Drongo.
Nature Walks.
Nature walks in Volcanoes National Park give travellers a chance to explore the park’s unique avian life and wildlife on foot. Nature walks are best done in the morning or late afternoon hours when birds are more active. It’s a guided activity led by an experienced park guide who gives more information about the wildlife and bird species encountered. The park has various trails suitable for nature walks, like the Ngezi Lake trail, which takes travellers to the breathtaking views of Lake Ngezi situated along the foothills of mountain Bisoke. The Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera trail takes travellers to the awesome twin lakes and explores the most unique water bodies in the park.
Golden Monkey Tracking.
Golden monkey tracking is one of the top safari activities in Volcanoes National Park, which gives primatologists and nature lovers a chance to explore these Albertine Rift endemics in their natural habitats. This involves moving through the bamboo forests in search of these playful golden monkeys. Golden monkeys are endemics to the Virunga Mountains, which are only found within this area in Africa. Visitors will be led by knowledgeable park guides who give more insights about their behaviours. Once they locate them, they will observe more about their lifestyles in the jungle, and they will see them playing, feeding, and taking care of one another, which is a nice experience.
