Activities to do in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes national park is among the national parks that Rwanda boosts of. The national park has an area cover of 160 square kilometres and was established in 1925. The volcanoes national park is located in Ruhengeri district within the northwestern province of Rwanda. The park neighbours mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda and the Virunga national park in the democratic republic of Congo.
The following are the activities that one can take part while in the volcanoes national park
GORILLA TREKKING
Gorilla trekking in the volcanoes national park is the major reasons why tourists visit the national park. The park has 12 habituated gorilla families and to trek one needs to pay $1,500 for the permit.
The gorilla trekking starts at 7am at the park’s headquarters. The tourists are then briefed by the head ranger at the park and later divided into groups of 8 members. The park issues only 96 gorilla permits per day which means that one needs to book the trekking permits atleast months before the trekking date.
Gorilla trekking takes 2 -6 hours depending on the movements of the gorillas in the forest. Once the gorillas are found, you will be able to spend 1hour with them as you learn more about their characteristics and feeding patterns. Tourists below the age of 15 years aren’t allowed to trek.
HIKING THE MOUNTAINS
Volcanoes national park comprises of five of eight volcanoes within the virunga mountains and these include Karisimbi, muhabura, gahinga, sabyinyo and bisoke. Each of these offer a very different experience.
Mount Karisimbi is the highest peak with 4,507 meters and it takes 2 days to complete the hike. The hike starts at 7am at the park’s headquarters in kinigi where they are first briefed by the ranger before starting the activity.
Mount bisoke hiking takes 6 hours with 2 hours descending the mountain. The mountain is as well known for its stunning crater lake at the summit. Hiking these volcanic mountains costs $75 and $400 per person.
GOLDEN MONKING TREKKING
Besides the endangered mountain gorillas, volcanoes national park is as well as a home to the endangered golden monkeys and they are over 80 monkeys. The national park has only 2 habituated families. Therefore, tourists can as well participate in the golden monkey trekking which takes 2-3hours. These are grouped into 8 people for tracking.
The trekking starts at 7am in the morning with a briefing at the park’s headquarters in kinigi. The golden monkey trekking costs $100 per person
BIRD WATCHING
Volcanoes national park is called a birders paradise with over 178 recorded bird species. The parks habitats support a plethora of avian life as well as endemic species such as the Rwenzori turaco and handsome francolin.
The biding activity starts with a briefing in the morning at the parks headquarter. You will be able to spot species such as weird weavers, Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds, archers ground robin, collared Apalis, red-faced woodland warblers and lovely francolin among others. Besides the birds, you will as well spot the buffaloes, bushbucks, butterflies and primates as well. The bird watching safaris offer an opportunity for the tourists to spot a number of birds in the park’s lush vegetation.
HIKE DIAN FOSSEY TOMB
A hike to the Dian Fossey grave is among the activities that one can engage in while at the volcanoes national park. The hike gives you an opportunity to see where the primatologist Dian Fossey was buried as well as get more information about her works and contribution to the conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas. Dian Fossey was buried next to her favourite gorilla called Digit. Tourists get the opportunity to visit her research center known as Karisoke research center where she carried out most of her research studies during her stay. A hike to the Dian Fossey’s grave costs $70 per person. The hike not only pays homage to her legacy but also underscores the importance of the conservation efforts.
VISIT IBYIWACU CULTURAL VILLAGE
A visit to the iby’iwacu cultural village offers an authentic experience about the Rwanda culture. For those interested in Rwanda’s rich cultural tapestry the cultural village is the best. Tourists engage with the local community where they participate in the traditional dances from the Ntore dance group, learn about the medicinal plants as well as banana beer making, cooking local foods and craft making among others. A fee of $30 is paid for one to participate in the activity.
VISIT TO MUSANZE CAVES
The activity can be conducted after gorilla trekking and the tourists are guided by the local guides through the 2km deep caves at a fee of 50 dollars per person. A complete trek of the caves takes 2-3 hours and this gives a fascinating rock formations, bat colonies nd the regions geological history. This offers an amazing subterranean perspective of the parks diverse natural offering.
COMMUNITY WALKS AND NATURE TRAILS
Volcanoes national [ark offers a number of numerous nature trails and community walks which allow the tourist to engage with the local environment and its inhabitants. The Nyange community walk is designed to elaborate all aspects of the village life in Rwanda. The walk shows how are the locals work and earn a living. You will be able to visit homes of the ironsmith, mat weavers and local banana beer brewers among others. The excursions provide insights into traditional agricultural practices, local flora and fauna as well as their daily lives of the communities that coexist with the park’s wildlife.
CELEBRATING KWITA IZINA FESTIVAL
In Rwanda, the kwita izina ceremony is highlighted annually on the conservation calendar. This is a ceremony where the newly born gorillas are given names. Therefore, the naming of the baby gorillas isn’t about celebrating the birth of these endangered primates but also raises awareness and funds for the conservation efforts.
In conclusion, volcanoes national park offers a multifaceted experience that transcends traditional wildlife tourism. The tourists are bond to a fun filled, adventurous and unique experience while on a safari in Rwanda.