National ParkFeatured Destination
Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda 160 km² (62 mi²) Est. 1925
About Volcanoes National Park
Home to the endangered mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park protects the Rwandan section of the Virunga Mountains. Made famous by Dian Fossey's gorilla research, the park encompasses five of the eight Virunga volcanoes and offers one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife encounters.
3
Safari Tours
4.3
Avg Rating
2/5
Big Five
101
Years Protected
Highlights
- Iconic mountain gorilla trekking experience
- Well-managed and well-funded conservation
- Luxury lodge options with stunning volcano views
- Golden monkey trekking also available
- Close proximity to Kigali (2-3 hour drive)
Considerations
- Very expensive gorilla permits ($1,500 per person)
- Physically demanding treks at high altitude
- Weather can be unpredictable with heavy rain
- Limited to 1 hour with gorillas per visit
Wildlife
Big Five Status
🦁
Lion
Not present
🐆
Leopard
Not present
🐘
Elephant
very_rare
🦬
Buffalo
occasional
🦏
Rhino
Not present
Notable Species
Elephant
Present
Cape Buffalo
Occasional
Mountain Gorilla
Common
Vervet Monkey
Occasional
Bush Baby
Occasional
Golden Monkey
Common
Common Occasional Rare
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak Season Good Time Less Ideal
Climate Overview
Getting There
Fly to Kigali International Airport (KGL), then drive approximately 2-3 hours to Musanze/Ruhengeri, the gateway town to the park.
Nearest Airport
Kigali International Airport (KGL)
Nearest City
Musanze
Drive Time
2.5 hours
Safari Tours (3)
Volcanoes National Park
3 tours available