Volcanoes National Park
“Rwanda's Crown Jewel — Mountain Gorillas Among the Volcanoes”
Volcanoes National Park covers 160 km² of montane rainforest on the slopes of five dormant volcanoes — Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo — in Rwanda's northwestern corner. It was here that Dian Fossey established her Karisoke Research Centre in 1967 and spent 18 years studying the park's mountain gorillas, changing our understanding of great apes forever and inspiring the conservation movement that saved the species from extinction. Today, Volcanoes NP protects 12 habituated gorilla families available for trekking. Rwanda's gorilla experience is more exclusive — and more expensive — than Uganda's, with strictly limited daily permits and luxurious lodges on the park boundary. But the quality of the encounter is unmatched: the gorillas are extremely well habituated, the forest is beautifully atmospheric, and the overall experience — from the briefing at park headquarters to the long golden hour of proximity to a silverback — is polished and deeply moving. The park also offers golden monkey trekking, Dian Fossey tomb hikes, and volcano summit climbs.
Highlights
Wildlife You May Encounter
Climate & Weather
Highland montane. Cool and misty year-round (8–22°C). Two dry trekking seasons: Jun–Sep and Dec–Feb. Wet seasons Mar–May and Oct–Nov see heavier forest rainfall. Always pack warm layers and rain gear.
