Welcome to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda an online safari guide offering travel tips about mountain gorilla trekking safaris, golden monkey tracking, Dian Fossey Hike, Mount Bisoke and other mount hiking tours in Rwanda.
On this guide you will find much more information that you would need before you book your gorilla safari in Rwanda.
Volcanoes National Park lies along the Virunga Mountains, with 8 ancient volcanoes, which are shared by Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Just a short two to three hour’s drive from Rwanda’s capital of Kigali, the park is a central location for exploring some distinctly Rwandan experiences.
While a visit to the mountain gorillas is often at the top of visitor, the dramatic landscape also offers thrilling hiking and visits to the fascinating golden monkeys.
Today the gorilla trekking tour permit cost $ 1500 USD per person, golden monkey tracking $ 100 USD, Dian Fossey $ 75 USD and the Mount Bisoke $ 75 USD, Karisimbi $ 150 USD.
Others activities to take around the Volcanoes National Park include the Musanze Caves $ 50 USD and the Iby’wacu Cultural Village $ 20 USD per person and to experience any of these you need to book with local Rwanda tour company in advance.
This Conservation Video is published by National Geographic Society.
Step into Rwanda’s beautiful Volcanoes National Park, where a community is uniting on the front lines of a region in crisis to protect critically endangered mountain gorillas.
Sir David Attenborough takes you through Dian Fossey’s journey of setting up the Karisoke Research Center in the park
If you have more time at Musanze do not miss to visit the Dian Fossey Museum which is so much educative the great work that was done by Dian Fossey towards the conservation of the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains.
Then for those interested to participate in gorilla conservation on your gorilla safari in Rwanda visit the Gorilla Doctors facilitates and they will take through the work done towards the mountain gorillas.
The Volcanoes National Park was first gazetted in 1925, as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Bisoke and Mikeno volcanoes, intended to protect the gorillas from poaching. It was the very first national to be created in Africa.
Subsequently, in 1929, the borders of the park were extended further into Rwanda and into the Belgian Congo, to form the Albert National Park, a huge area of 8090 km2, run by the Belgian colonial authorities who were in charge of both colonies.
After the Congo gained independence in 1765, the park was split into two, and upon Rwandan independence in 1962 the new government agreed to maintain the park as a conservation and tourist area,
The park later became the base for the American naturalist Dian Fossey to carry out her research into the gorillas. She arrived in 1967 and set up the Karisoke Research Centre between Karisimbi and Visoke.
From then on she spent most of her time in the park, and is widely credited with saving the gorillas from extinction by bringing their plight to the attention of the international community.
She was murdered by unknown assailants at her home in 1985, a crime often attributed to the poachers she had spent her life fighting against.
Fossey’s life later was portrayed on the big screen in the film Gorillas in the Mist, named after her autobiography. She is buried in the park in a grave close to the research centre, and amongst the gorillas which became her life.
The Volcanoes National Park became a battlefield during the Rwandan Civil War, with the park headquarters being attacked in 1992.
The research centre was abandoned, and all tourist activities (including visiting the gorillas) were stopped.
They did not resume again until 1999 when the area was deemed to be safe and under control.
There have been occasional infiltration’s by Rwandan rebels from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda in subsequent years, but these are always stopped quickly by the Rwandan army and there is thought to be no threat to tourism in the park.
Below are the most loved gorilla safari packages that one wouldn’t miss will on his or her visit to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Even though the gorilla permit has increased there still more promotions that you can win!
Well the gorilla permit now cost US$1,500 to all gorilla travelers (Foreign Non – Resident, Foreign Residents, East African Residents and Rwanda Citizens). There are however, some new packages that have been introduced.
These include: US$ 15,000 for personalized & exclusive mountain gorilla visits for a requested targeted Gorilla family. US$ 30,000 for a minimum of 3 visitors for 3 consecutive days (Behind the scenes)
There are also special discounted rates: 30% discount (US$ 1,050) for combined trips within National Parks in Rwanda (Gorilla Trekking, Akagera and/or Nyungwe National Park) for at least 3 days during the months of November – May and then 15% discount (US$ 1,275) on conference delegates who stay pre & post MICE events to see gorillas.
Here are our promotional low season (November to May) Rwanda safari packages visiting 3 0r 2 Rwanda national parks and here you get discounted $ 1050 USD gorilla permit.
05 Day Rwanda Safari Holiday – This takes you to Nyungwe Forest National Park or Akagera National Park and then to Volcanoes National Park.
07 Day Rwanda Safari Holiday – This takes you to Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Volcanoes National Park.
Then for tourists visiting Rwanda and are interested to take short excursions or those on seminar and conferences in Rwanda here are trips to take and those on conference we can secure you discounted gorilla permit of $ 1275 USD per person.
