Africa tours adventure offers one tour to the northernmost province of Rwanda-Volcanoes national park.
Tell me about volcanoes national park-Rwanda…….
One of the oldest parks in Africa, established in 1925, Volcanoes National park lies in Musanze district, Northern Province along the border with virunga mountains national park in eastern DR Congo and Mgahinga gorilla park, southwestern Uganda. The three parks adjoined by a chain of 8 volcanoes including the active Mt. Nyiragongo and Mt. Nyamuragira together form the Virunga Conservation Area (434 sq km). Experts estimate about 880 mountain gorillas live on earth of which Rwanda protects a third of the critically endangered mountain gorilla population.
Mountain gorillas are the major tourist draws to Rwanda, in addition to peace, security and the opportunity to enjoy a greener environment of Kigali city and its world class conference facilities. Gorilla tourism is one of the country’s biggest foreign exchange earners, contributing local economic development.
Rich in culture and home to some of Africa’s most beautiful volcanic mountain scenery, there’s a local saying “Ibirunga” referring to volcanoes national park, as the home of volcanoes. But near the park boundary at the cultural center, Iby’Iwacu cultural village has a strong and colorful identify of Rwandan culture, with the BaTwa ancient forest folks and traditions including playing Inanga, umuduli, Drum and “Intore” warrior Kinyarwanda dancing.
A home stay or visit to Iby’Iwacu cultural village not only introduces you to life of Rwandan people especially meeting friendly women, children, farmers and local poacher’s story but also helping mountain gorillas to thrive with a local but sustainable and agricultural harvests.
The Rwanda local cuisines specialties such as Rwandan beef stew, goat brochettes, fish, banana and Isombe, a blend of greens and vegetables. Excellent local beers brewed from banana usually served during a campfire and cultural performances add many other charms more than a single visit to the area for mountain gorilla trekking safari.
Volcanoes national park lies approximately 2 hours drive from Kigali city / airport. A home to Dian Fossey grave site and Karisoke research center, visitors pay respect to Dian’s conservation foundation, famed as “gorillas in the mist”. For once mountain gorillas were poached to less than 500 individuals in the 1980’s and the 1994 genocide turning parts of the gorilla habitat into charcoal and crop fields. Not all was lost, the park now protects 200 mountain gorillas over 160 sq km of pristine bamboo and afro-montane covered volcanoes rising to 4,500 meters above sea level. The park’s spectacular scenery includes Mt. Muhabura (4,127 meters), Mt. Bisoke (3,711 meters) and Mt. Karisimbi 4507 meters. The latter is Rwanda’s highest point and Africa’s 5th tallest volcano, present best volcano hiking in the world.
Our Mountain Gorilla Trekking Specialist Recommends
A Rwanda gorilla safari explores the beautiful scenery of the virunga massifs whilst searching for some of the 10 habituated mountain gorilla families; on a guided trek with Rwandan development board guides you encounter afro-montane flowers, Albertine rift endemic birds, butterflies, golden monkeys and large mammals such as forest elephants, giant forest hogs, duikers, bush bucks. You also enjoy hike to Dian Fossey grave site featuring a rich history of conserving mountain gorillas and above all the Rwandan culture and lifestyles.