Rwanda · National park
Volcanoes National Park
Gorillas on the slopes of the Virungas
Size
About 160 km²
Location
North-west Rwanda
Best time
Jun–Sep and Dec–Feb
Known for
Mountain gorillas, golden monkeys
About the park
Bamboo forest on the volcano slopes
Volcanoes National Park covers the Rwandan side of the Virunga massif, a chain of volcanoes shared with Uganda and the DR Congo. Five of them rise inside the park, including Karisimbi, the highest point in Rwanda, and their slopes are covered in bamboo, hagenia woodland and montane forest.
This is where Dian Fossey studied mountain gorillas for almost twenty years, and today several habituated gorilla families live here. Each is visited by one small group a day for a single hour, and the park is only about two and a half hours from Kigali, so even a short trip can include a trek.
Highlights
Why visit Volcanoes
Gorilla trekking
Spend an unforgettable hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family.
Golden monkeys
A gentler trek to find troops of these rare, playful monkeys in the bamboo.
Dian Fossey's grave
A steep hike to the site of her Karisoke research camp and her grave.
Bisoke crater lake
Climb an extinct volcano to the crater lake near its summit.
When to visit
Trekking runs all year. The drier months, June to September and December to February, have firmer trails; the wetter months are greener and quieter.
Wildlife you may see
Mountain gorilla, golden monkey, buffalo, bushbuck, forest elephant (rarely seen) and many Albertine Rift birds.
Getting there
About 2.5 hours by road from Kigali International Airport to the park headquarters at Kinigi.
Visit with Asili
Safaris to Volcanoes
Plan your gorilla trek
Gorilla permits are limited and sell out months ahead. Tell us your dates and we'll secure your permit, lodge and transfers.
Enquire now