Volcanoes National Park
“Two hours from Kigali on tarmac, and then you are in the forest Dian Fossey never left.”
Rwanda's share of the Virunga massif — mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkeys, volcano climbs and the Dian Fossey research legacy, all within a short drive of Kigali.
About Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National Park protects around 160 square kilometres of the Virunga massif, five volcanoes and the bamboo and montane forest between them. It is where Dian Fossey established the Karisoke Research Center in 1967, and where mountain gorilla conservation as we know it began.
What Rwanda offers above all is efficiency. Kigali to the park headquarters at Kinigi is roughly two to three hours on good tarmac, so a gorilla trek can be done on a short trip without internal flights. There are around a dozen habituated families, treks are often shorter than in Bwindi, and the lodge standard at the top end is among the highest in the region. The permit price is significantly higher than Uganda's, and that is the trade-off in a sentence.
Beyond gorillas: golden monkey tracking in the bamboo, the Bisoke crater lake climb as a hard but rewarding day, the longer Karisimbi two-day ascent, and the hike to Dian Fossey's grave and the Karisoke ruins. Kwita Izina, the annual gorilla naming ceremony, is a genuine national event each September.
Permits are limited to eight visitors per family per day, and Rwanda enforces its rules — masks, seven-metre distance, one hour, no trekking while unwell.
Volcanoes National Park, in short.
The essentials our specialists check first when shaping a private itinerary.
Good to know.
- Location
- North-western Rwanda, in the Virunga massif on the Ugandan and DRC borders.
- Getting there
- Two to three hours by road from Kigali on tarmac — no internal flight required.
- Permits
- Strictly limited to eight visitors per family per day. Rwandan permits cost considerably more than Uganda's; book several months ahead for the dry season.
- Age limit
- Minimum 15 years for gorilla trekking.
- Rules
- Masks, a 7 m distance and a one-hour limit are enforced. Trekking is refused if you are visibly unwell.
- Fitness
- Treks generally shorter than Bwindi's but still steep, muddy and at altitude. Porters are available and worth hiring.
- Gear
- Waterproofs, gaiters, boots with ankle support, gloves for stinging vegetation and warm layers for the early start.
- Combines with
- Nyungwe Forest, Lake Kivu, Akagera and Kigali on a compact Rwandan circuit.
Why visit Volcanoes National Park?
Gorilla trekking
One hour with a habituated family, eight visitors per family per day.
Golden monkey tracking
Habituated troops in the bamboo, on a far cheaper permit.
Dian Fossey hike
A walk to the Karisoke site and Fossey's grave, with the story told properly.
Bisoke crater lake
A steep six-hour return climb to a crater lake at 3,711 m.
Karisimbi ascent
A two-day climb to 4,507 m, the highest of the Virungas.
Kwita Izina
Rwanda's annual gorilla naming ceremony, held each September.
Twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo
Scenic lakes below the volcanoes, good for boat trips and cycling.
Species you may encounter.
Wildlife commonly associated with the region. Sightings are always wild and never guaranteed.
Mountain gorilla
Around a dozen habituated families, in a population shared with Uganda and the DRC.
Golden monkey
An Albertine Rift endemic, habituated and reliably found in the bamboo zone.
Buffalo
Present in the forest and clearings; a genuine safety consideration on foot.
Black-fronted duiker
In the forest understorey, occasionally crossing trails.
Rwenzori turaco
An Albertine endemic among around 180 recorded bird species.
Spotted hyena
Present in the park, though seldom seen by day.
Experiences in Volcanoes National Park.
The right time for Volcanoes National Park.
Best trekking: June – September, December – February · Wetter but available: March – May, October – November
Drier trails and clear volcano views.
One of the driest months; excellent for climbs.
Long rains begin; trails become muddy.
Wettest month; hard underfoot but permits easier to secure.
Still wet, with cloud often on the volcanoes.
Dry season begins; ideal trekking.
Peak season — permits and top lodges book far ahead.
Dry and busy with excellent visibility.
Dry with Kwita Izina taking place this month.
Short rains begin; quieter and greener.
Wet; trails demanding but availability good.
Drying out; festive period books early.
- Altitude
- 2,400 – 4,507 m
- Average temperature
- 10 – 22°C; cold at night, frequent mist
- Dry season
- June – September and December – February
- Rainy season
- March – May and October – November
Combine Volcanoes National Park with…
Nyungwe National Park
A rainforest canopy walk and thirteen primates.
One of Africa's oldest montane rainforests, with a 160-metre canopy walkway, chimpanzee tracking, huge colobus troops and Albertine Rift endemic birds.
Kigali
A notably clean, welcoming East African capital.
Rwanda's calm, hill-built capital and the gateway to gorilla trekking — with the Genocide Memorial, a strong art and coffee scene, and good roads to every corner of the country.
Lake Kivu
Frequently asked.
Is Rwanda or Uganda better for gorilla trekking?
Rwanda is far quicker to reach — two to three hours from Kigali on tarmac — with generally shorter treks and a strong selection of high-end lodges, at a much higher permit price. Uganda has more families, more sectors and a lower cost. We quote both honestly.
How difficult is the trek?
Usually shorter than Bwindi but still steep and muddy at altitude. Most treks take one to four hours each way, and a porter makes a real difference.
How far ahead must I book a permit?
Several months for June to September and December to February. Only eight permits exist per family per day.
What is the minimum age?
Fifteen years, strictly enforced.
Can I visit Dian Fossey's grave?
Yes, on a separate half-day hike to the Karisoke research site, which we can add to your itinerary.
What if I have a cold?
You will not be allowed to trek. Gorillas are extremely vulnerable to human respiratory infection and the rule is applied without exception.
Related reading.
Guides that pair well with a journey to this destination.
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