Infant in volcanoes national park

Infant Gorilla by Bisate Lodge

Parc National des Volcans Safaris

An awe inspiring, utterly spellbinding experience

Exceptionally scenic and ecologically diverse

Parc National des Volcans (Volcanoes National Park), hidden away in the deep, dense jungles of northern Rwanda

Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, is part of a Transfrontier Conservation Area, that includes the southern section of DR Congo's Virunga National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, and together they are the home of about half of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla. Five of the nine free standing volcanoes fall within, or partly within, the Parc National des Volcans.

In the 1950s George Schaller completed groundbreaking study on Mountain gorilla behaviour in the Virungas. This was followed by more recent, better-known behavioural studies by American primatologist Dian Fossey, who was supported by Kenyan paleontologist Louis Leaky. In 1967, Fossey founded the Karisoke Research Centre on the slopes of Mt Karisimbi, where she dedicated over 18 years of her life to her ongoing studies and struggle to protect the Rwandan Mountain gorilla population. This was to cost her her life, as she was murdered in December 1985.

Due to its altitudinal variation, the park has a varied array of habitat zones including agricultural land and lower afro-montane forest, bamboo forest, Hagenia woodlands, upper Afro-montane forest, and grasslands, meadows, and marshes.

The park has a modest bird checklist and notable among the primates present is the Golden monkey, a subspecies of the Blue monkey. Elephant and buffalo do inhabit the forest, but deep within the park so are almost never sighted.

Activities

First and foremost, the park is renowned for Gorilla tracking. Golden monkey tracking too, is popular. Active travellers can climb Mt Bisoke as a full day excursion.

Those who don’t mind overnight camping, can tackle Mt Karisimbi. This entails a two day trek during which you summit Africa’s 5th highest mountain and stay at the campsite (3,800m).

There is also a fairly challenging hike up Mt Bisoke (3,000m) or to Ngezi Crater Lake at the top. Many visit Dian Fossey’s tomb and Karisoke Research Centre.

Trips in Parc National des Volcans Safaris

Parc National des Volcans Safaris Trip Inspiration

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AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

Jun 5, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

Jun 5, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

Jun 5, 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

Jun 5, 2024

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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs About Your Parc National des Volcans Safaris Holiday

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