Best Time To Visit Volcanoes National Park
Therefore, weather doesn’t vary significantly from month to month, with temperatures averaging between 15 and 20 Celsius Degrees throughout the year. These temperatures sometimes drop to 7 Celsius Degrees and rainfall levels reach a peak of 2000 millimetres during the rainy season. This doesn’t affect your visit, although it comes with a number of challenges that include walking through denser vegetation, muddy and slippery forest trails. One thing you need to understand is that this Park is busy almost all year round.
The ideal time to visit are during seasons from December to February and then June to October. During this time, the roads leading the park are dry and driving through is easy compared to wet season. Additionally, spotting Mountain Gorillas is easy given the vegetation is not fully grown compared to wet seasons of March to May and Later October to November. In addition to forest trails being drier, not messy or slippery.
For bird lovers, the best time to visit the park for birdwatching safaris is during the rainy season, from March to May and October to November, because there is plenty of food for birds during these months, and it is also the breeding season for most birds, so bird lovers will be able to see a variety of bird species and migratory birds from November to April. However, the park can as well be visited throughout the year and you will be able to see the Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Things to do in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is a popular activity that takes place daily. The day begins with a briefing at the park headquarters in the morning, after which visitors set out into the forest to search for the mountain gorillas. The trek can last up to six hours or sometimes half a day, depending on the location of the gorillas and the time of discovery. The park is home to 12 habituated gorilla families that are open for tracking, with a total of 96 permits available each day. To participate in gorilla tracking, visitors must purchase a permit, which can be obtained either directly from the Rwanda Development Board or through Achieve Global Safaris. The cost of a permit is USD 1500 per person per trek. Tracking is conducted in groups of up to eight people, each group following a specific gorilla family.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Golden Monkey tracking is another activity done in Volcanoes National Park it is one of the best places in the world after Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda where you can see the endangered golden monkeys in their natural habitat. The activity starts at the park headquarters at 7:00am with briefing on dos and don’ts by the park wardens and later the park guides and rangers lead you to the forest to find them, you can walk for 30minutes to hours depending on the location and movement of the golden monkeys. Once the golden monkeys are spotted, visitors are permitted to observe and stay with them for up to one hour before returning A Golden monkey permit costs USD100 per person per trek, tracking starts in the morning and it is done in a group of 16 per golden monkey family.
Volcano climbing
Volcanoes National Park is home to five of the eight volcanic mountains that form the Virunga massif. These are Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. Among them, Karisimbi is the most frequently climbed, offering hikers a chance to enjoy panoramic views of Rwanda from the summit as well as the breathtaking sight of a crater lake nestled at the top.
Visiting Dian Fossey Tomb
The journey to the Dian Fossey Tomb is a remarkable and moving experience, offering a chance to honor a dedicated conservationist who devoted her life to protecting mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. At the site, you can see the house where Dian Fossey was tragically murdered in 1985, as well as her final resting place beside her beloved gorilla Digit and other mountain gorillas who lost their lives during that time due to poaching and various other causes.
Birding tours
Volcanoes National Park is also a great destination for birding tours, primarily because of its medley of Rwenzori and Albertine Rift endemic species. About 200 of Rwanda’s total bird species reside here, surprisingly, 17 of the 25 Albertine rift endemics, the afro tropical highlands biome, and migratory birds. While on your bird watching tours, expect to see different colorful bird species such as African Green Broadbill, Kivu Ground Thrush, Ruwenzori Batis, Black Cuckoo, Archers Robin Chat, Ruwenzori Turaco, Red Chested Sunbird, Strange Weaver, White Collared Silverback, Crested Barbet, Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, African Goshawk, Lesser Honey Guide, Grey-backed Fiscal, Bronzy Sunbird, Brown-backed Honey Bird, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Handsome Francolin, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, Dusky Crimson-wing, Collared Apalis, Nirana Trogon and Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird among others.
Visiting Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Visiting Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village offers an enriching opportunity to explore the traditions and heritage of the Rwandan people. You will have the chance to enjoy traditional cultural dances and sample local cuisine. Additionally, you can purchase souvenirs that tell the story of Rwanda’s rich cultural history.
Visiting the twin lakes of Bulera and Buhondo
You can enjoy a boat cruise on the stunning twin lakes, Bulera and Buhondo, located near Volcanoes National Park. This experience provides a chance to observe diverse bird species and interact with local residents. The cruise is led by local guides who will share insights into Rwanda’s heritage and the fascinating history of these twin lakes.
How to get to Volcanoes National Park
To reach Volcanoes National Park by road, it takes approximately 2 to 3 hours from Kigali town or Kigali International Airport. Upon arrival, your driver guide will meet you for a brief orientation before you set out on the journey. The drive offers stunning views of Rwanda’s famous 1000 hills, providing excellent opportunities for photographs and sightseeing along the way.
Where to stay during a Rwanda safari in Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park offers a range of accommodation options suitable for nature enthusiasts, from budget-friendly to luxury stays. Visitors can choose from establishments such as Amakoro Songa Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Hotel Muhabura, Virunga Inn and Resort, Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Garr Hotel, Villa Gorilla, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Garden Place Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorillas Nest Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Kataza House, My Hill Eco Lodge, Rrugano Virunga Palace, One and Only Gorillas Nest Lodge, Le Palme Hotel, Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco lodge, Best View Hotel, Faraja Hotel, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Fravan Eco Resort among others.
