When to Enjoy a Safari in Volcanoes National Park.
When to enjoy a safari in Volcanoes National Park is the most asked question by travellers planning their safaris in the park, and this blog will help you to understand the different seasons the park experiences. Just like any other national park in East Africa, Volcanoes National Park experiences two seasons: the wet season and the dry season. Visitors can enjoy a safari in the park at any time of the year, and the best time depends on an individual’s travel plans. Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda, bordering Uganda and DR Congo. It’s a prime safari destination in Rwanda, attracting thousands of travellers to come and see the endangered mountain gorillas face to face in their natural habitat. The park is known for its rich biodiversity, home to over 12 primate species such as golden monkeys, gorillas, 36 mammal species, and 236 bird species, some of which are hard to find anywhere else in the world. Travellers planning their safaris in the park can engage in various activities, such as gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, bird watching, nature walks and cultural encounters, all of which provide unforgettable safari experiences in the heart of Africa.
When to Enjoy a Safari in Volcanoes National Park.
Dry Season
The dry season is the most liked season by travellers visiting Volcanoes National Park, which runs from June to September and December to January. It’s commonly known as the peak season. During this season, the park receives little to no rainfall, making it less muddy and slippery. This makes it easy to penetrate the park and search for the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in their natural habitats. The vegetation cover is short and scattered, creating clear views of wildlife species and having clear photos. Since it’s high season, travellers planning to do gorilla trekking in this period should book their gorilla permits early, like three to six months in advance, to avoid disappointment. Gorilla permits easily sell out, and they are subject to availability on a first come first serve basis.
Wet Season
Travellers can also enjoy a safari in Volcanoes National Park in the wet season, commonly known as the low season, which is from October to November and March to May. This period is characterised by enough rainfall; the park is muddy and slippery, making penetration of the park challenging. The vegetation cover is tall and dense, which makes viewing animals from a distance challenging and taking clear pictures. During this period its easy to get gorilla trekking permits since few travellers visit the park. The wet season is the best period to do birding 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.
