Musanze
One of the largest cities in Rwanda, Musanze is a bustling city hosting almost all tourists visiting the world famous mountain gorillas.
Musanze has long been the base point for gorilla visits and is cradled against a stunning backdrop of Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes.
The city is rich is cultural tourism opportunities, caving, birding and fishing on the nearby lakes. The city is also only a 45- minute drive away from Gisenyi and the stunning Lake Kivu.
Tracking the endangered mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes is a magical experience.
Hike through mountain forests to experience these gentle creatures or make your way through airy bamboo forests to find the charming Golden Monkey.
Mountain gorillas
Mountain gorillas are the major attractions as to why people visit Volcanoes National Park.
There are only three countries in the world where you can see Mountain Gorillas up-close on a gorilla trek especially in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Most of these gorillas range within the southern part of Virunga National Park, DRC, and the Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda, while a few use the Mgahinga National Park, south-western Uganda.
Golden monkeys
The rare and endangered Golden Monkeys are found only in the Virunga Volcanoes foothills and one of the best places to track and see them is Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
There are several large groups of Golden Monkeys that have been habituated for visitors, to see them flit about in the bamboo forest regions of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Since they have become habituated in the Park, Golden Monkey Tracking has become a most popular activity in this park.
Virunga Mountains
The Virunga Mountains are home of the critically endangered mountain gorilla, listed on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species due to habitat loss, poaching, disease, and war.
The Karisoke Research Centre, founded by Dian Fossey to observe gorillas in their native habitat, is located between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke.
These Virunga mountains are a source of attraction to visitors who to visit mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.