Magnificent activities to do in Volcanoes national park : Activities in volcanoes national part is one of the most exciting national parks that tourists interested in the Rwanda wildlife safaris can visit to have amazing time as they take part in different activities. Volcanoes national park is popularly known park among the three national parks in Rwanda. The park is the home of the two largest remaining population of Mountain Gorillas of over 11 habituated gorilla families such as , Karisimbi, Amahora, Susa A, Umubano, Kirwa, Kwitonda, Bwenge , Ugenda Titua Agashya , Sabyinyo groups that can be trekked by a tourists long the Virunga mountains such as Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Muhabura, Bisoke and Karisimbi . This magnificent creatures thrive in their natural habitat within the Rwanda Park of the Virunga Mountains, a range of six extinct and three active volcanoes that also extend in to Uganda and democratic republic of Congo. The park also boast beautiful vegetation types, animal species for example buffaloes, bush backs, elephants, giant forest hogs, golden Monkeys, hyenas, black-fronted duiker among other
However, there are a number of attractions that can be seen during the different activities in Volcanoes National Park which will make your Rwanda wildlife safari memorable and unforgettable as you choose the park as your adventure destination.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorilla trekking is the popular activities visitors on Rwanda safaris commonly carry out while at the Volcanoes national park. The highlight of any trip to Volcanoes National Park is undoubtedly gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is an adventurous activity in volcanoes national park where visitors gets an opportunity to move on foot into the tropical rainforest in hunt for habituated mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules and regulations to be followed during trekking. After the briefing, you will start the trekking in the forest which takes about 2 hours to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas are located since naturally they move from one place to another in hunt for food.
During trekking, you will be able to spot other primates species, birds and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment where you will be able to learn about their habits, behaviors, how the carry out their daily activities like feeding on bamboo trees which is their common type of food but in seasons when the fruit is plenty, they prefer fruit to bamboo, breastfeeding, playing, record videos and take pictures to show people back home among other interesting features about the gentle giants in the park
Visitor to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda are required to buy gorilla permits each costing $1500 for an hour’s interaction. All permits are issued out by Rwanda Development Board or Achieve Global Safaris can help you obtain one
Golden monkey trekking
Volcanoes national park is one of the two national parks in east African where golden monkey trekking and spotting is safe and possible, such national park includes Mgahinga national park in Uganda situated in the southwest province of the country. Golden monkeys are unique and endangered monkey species. Because the monkeys feed on the lower slopes of the mountain, which are fairly accessible, golden monkey tracking is less difficult than gorilla tracking.
During golden monkey trekking in the park, visitors will get an chance to know more about the endangered primates in the park by observing their behavior in the park in order to understand their behavior in the park, their co-existence with other primate species in the park, their diet, how they construct their nests at night for overnight among other interesting features in the park making your Rwanda tours quite memorable.
Trekking golden monkeys at the park starts at 7:00 am and can be as short as 30 minutes or longer depending on the movement of the monkeys. The permit foe trekking this marvelous apes cost USD 100.
Visiting Dian Fossey’s grave
Visiting Dian Fossey’s grave is another interesting activity to do in volcanoes national park that can be carried out in the park. Dian Fossey was an American primatologist that ensured that mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park where protected from poachers which brought in light the conservation of the primate species and hence the increase of the gorilla numbers in the park.
Hiking the Virunga Mountains
Another interesting activity in volcanoes national park that tourists should choose to participate is hiking the Virunga Mountains within the park. The different Virunga Mountains that can be seen within the park will offer rewarding experience from the different attractions that can be seen as you hike to the different summits of the Virunga mountains to the exceptional views that cab seen. Some of the exceptional views that can be seen include the views of the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo during the hike on mountain Muhabura, Lake Kivu at the hike along mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke where you will see the gorilla cemetery where a number of gorillas that were poached in the park where buried and the gorilla primatologist Dian Fossey
Iby’iwacu cultural village
Most Rwanda traditional cultural tour in Rwanda are never interesting without visiting the Iby’iwacu cultural village situated just outside volcanoes national park . The cultural tour here offers visitors with a great opportunity to lean and fascinated yourself with the Rwanda traditional cultures. With its uniqueness where men in this village are known as reformed poachers who are now takings part in the national park in conversation development projects. Visitor who visit the Iby’iwacu cultural village gets opportunity to be entertained by the traditional Intore dance team through a dancing performance, songs and folk. Visitor here gets an opportunity to get involved inn part of the traditional food preparations lessons, milking cattle’s, making products like local ghee and yogurt and also preparing local banana alcohol. The village is next to volcanoes national park and is visited usually after your gorilla trekking or activities in Volcanoes National Park.
Buhanga eco-park
Buhanga eco-parks is a small forest near Rwanda’s volcanoes national park and is greatly known as the scared ritual place for Rwanda Yore royals who were assigned kinships or places of royal importance in the olden days. The forest consist of tall tree species that harbor quit a number of bird species and butterfly species. Its location within the Virunga massif range gives a refreshing atmosphere and breath taking scenery leaves you completely enamored. However today the forest has become a symbol of the past traditions and is open for touring especially for people that want to learn more about amazing Rwandan culture. For your experience at the eco-park, you take a trail through the park as you see different ritual places and symbols.
Musanze cave exploration
The Musanze caves are some of the special attractions that tourists on Rwanda tour should add onto their gorilla safari packages. These caves make up part of the 52 unique caves in the Northern Province of Rwanda. Musanze caves officially opened to the public in 2014. After the launch, more than 400 visitors were recorded in the pace of 60 days. With introduction of these caves as tourist sites, means increase in tourists’ exploration on a tour in Rwanda and they are recognized for their great economic benefits to the nation entirely. The amazing about Musanze cave tours is that tourists are in position to explore the unique art pieces showcased by the locals. Additionally, they also demonstrate their unique traditional ways of life, history and cultures provided there is opportunity to do so.
Bird viewing
Bird viewing at Volcanoes National Park is one of the exciting activities done during Rwanda birding safaris, and it provides tourists with an insight into the varied wildlife found in Rwanda’s famed lush rain forest. The park is a home of over 200 remarkable species of birds, of which 17 are endemic to the Albertine Rift and the 13 of these species of birds are endemic to Virunga Mountains. During Rwanda birding safari in the park, you will have a great opportunity to spot some of the different wildlife species including the gorillas and golden monkeys. The park is an excellent birding destination site with a variety of habitants, you will be amazed with different bird species such as lovely francolin, strange weavers, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori double-collared sunbirds, Rwenzori batis, Archer’s ground robin, Collared Apalis, Doherty’s bush- shrike, Red-faced woodland warblers, Brown-necked parrot, Baglafecht weaver, African long-eared owl and Dusky Crimsonwing among others.
