When to Visit Volcanoes National Park.
When to visit Volcanoes National Park is a frequently asked question by travellers planning their safari in the park, and this blog will help you choose the best time to enjoy your safari. Volcanoes National Park is a premier safari destination in East Africa, attracting thousands of nature lovers to explore the park’s rich biodiversity. It’s located in the northwestern part of Rwanda, bordering Mgahinga National Park and Virunga National Park. It’s about a 2 to 3-hour drive from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, to the park, making it easily accessible to all travellers. It’s within the Virunga conservation area, which is aimed at protecting the endangered animal species found within the area. It has a rich biodiversity, home to over 237 bird species, 30% of the world’s mountain gorilla population, 12 primate species, 36 mammal species, reptiles and amphibians. The park’s rich biodiversity supports a range of tourist activities that attract travellers, such as gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, nature walks, birding, hiking, and cultural encounters. Volcanoes National Park is open throughout the year to all travellers. It experiences two seasons, the dry season and the wet season, both of which provide excellent chances of exploring the park’s rich biodiversity.
When to Visit Volcanoes National Park.
Dry Season
The dry season is the most sought-after season by travellers planning to visit Volcanoes National Park, which is 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 visit Volcanoes National Park in the wet 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.
