Introduction
Volcanoes National Park is a National Park in Rwanda located in the northwestern region of the country bordering Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. This National Park has an area cover of 160square kilometers dominated by rainforests and encompassed by five out of the eight Virunga Mountains that is Bisoke, Karisimbi, Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga. Volcanoes National Park is the oldest National Park in Africa that was first gazetted in 1925 by the Belgium authorities aimed at protecting the mountain gorillas form human encroachment and poaching. The Belgian authorities further expanded the park in Rwanda and Congo in 1929 forming the Albert National Park that was named after King Albert 1. The Albert National Park was controlled and run by the Belgian authorities that governed the two colonies that is Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The National Park’s land started to deteriorate around 1958 to 1973 when the land was lost to human settlements and pyrethrum farming.
In 1967, the Park became a case study for the primatologist Dian Fossey who arrived to embark on her study and research on the gorillas. She thereafter set up a research center with in the Park known as the Karisoke research center where she spent most of her time studying the gentle giants. During her study, she emphasized the need for gorilla conservation and thus saving them from dying out and elimination not until she was murdered at her home in 1985 a transgression ascribed to the poachers she had spent years fighting against. Dian Fossey was buried in the park close to the research center amongst gorilla graves. Due to the Rwandan civil war that erupted in 1994, the park became a battle ground which led to all tourist activities getting to a standstill until in 1999 when the area was considered safe and under control of the Rwandan army and no menace in the park. Therefore Volcanoes National Park is so unique and famous for it is the only place where the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys are found. Volcanoes National Park is also a home to five out of the eight Virunga Mountains that is Mount Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo.
Attractions in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is the only place in Rwanda where the endangered mountain gorillas can be found. The volcanic slopes with lush, tropical rain forests and bamboo forests are habitats to these gentle giants where they are always found going on by their day to day activities. There are 10 habituated gorilla families that are found in Volcanoes National Park of which each gorilla family is led by one dominant silverback and made up of several males known as blackbacks, female gorillas, juveniles and infants. Gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park include; Susa A gorilla family, Karisimbi gorilla family also known as Susa B, Amahoro gorilla family, Umubano gorilla group, Sabyinyo gorilla family, Agashaya gorilla family also referred to as Group 13, Kwitonda gorilla family, Hirwa gorilla family, Ugenda gorilla family and Bwenge gorilla family.
Volcanoes National Park is also a haven to the golden monkeys that are only found in the Virunga region of Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo and thus being an endemic species to the Virunga region. The golden monkey is a sub-specie of the blue monkey that usually live in groups of up to 60 individuals and often seen swinging from a tree brunch to another, feeding on bamboo leaves, shoots and small insects. The golden monkeys are easily identified by their golden-orange backsides, black bodies and relatively brown faces with females appearing to be lighter than males.
Bird species
Volcanoes National Park is one of the bird watching spots in Rwanda harboring over 200 bird species made up of Albertine Rift endemics, Afro-tropical highland biome bird types and eastern Congo forest birds that are seen all year round. Bird species that can be spotted in Volcanoes National Park include the Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Francolin, strange weaver, Rwenzori batis, Bat hawk, White-collared Oliveback, brow-backed Honey bird, Grey-headed Bush shrike, Archer’s robin-chat, African swamp hen, Black Cuckoo shrike, Red-chested sunbird, African Goshawk, Crested Barbet, Bronzy sunbird, Grey-backed Fiscal, Palm nut Vulture, Kivu ground Thrush, African green Hornbill to mention but a few.
Virunga volcanoes (Mount Karisimbi, Gahinga, Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Bisoke)
Volcanoes National Park is encompassed by five out of the eight Virunga Mountains that offer spectacular scenic views in the park and its surroundings. These volcanoes are habitats to a variety of wildlife in the park for example mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, bird species to mention but a few. These Virunga volcanoes were formed million years ago as a result of volcanicity where eruption of molten magma occurred onto the earth’s surface cooled and solidified above the earth’s surface and thus forming hard rocks. These Virunga volcanoes stand at different heights above sea level and thus offering different hiking experience to hikers and different breathtaking views. These include Mount Karisimbi which is the highest amongst all the Virunga volcanoes standing at 4,507 meters above the sea level. Its name was derived from a Kinyarwanda word ”Amasimbi” that mean snow. Mount Bisoke stands at 3,711meters above the sea level and also known as Visoke. The third highest volcano is Mount Muhabura that stands at 4,127meters above the sea level and situated on the border of Rwanda and Uganda covered by a crater lake on its summit. Its name is derived from a Kinyarwanda name that means the guide. The other is Mount Gahinga that stands at 3,474metters above sea level lying between mount Sabyinyo and Mount Muhabura. Mount Sabyinyo is the other volcano though the oldest of all the volcanoes. Its name was derived from a Kinyarwanda word “Iryinyo” that means tooth since its serrated summit resembles worn teeth in a gum line. It’s located northeast of Lake Kivu and west of Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda.
Dian Fossey tombs
This is a grave yard of Dian Fossey a primatologist who spent all over 18 years studying gorillas in Rwanda and Congo. She set up a research center in Rwanda between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke where she learnt and understood the behaviors of mountain gorillas. When Dian Fossey was murdered at her home, she was buried with in her research center alongside the gorillas she loved and fought to protect. The Dian Fossey tomb lies at an altitude of about 3000 meters above sea level. Visiting Dian Fossey tombs involves making a 2 to 3 hours’ hike through a trail as you encounter various animals that are all interesting to capture.
Musanze caves
The Musanze caves were formed as a result of volcanic activities that took place around Virunga volcanoes and believed to have come as a result of basaltic layer composed of igneous rocks that came from Sabyinyo and Bisoke volcanoes. These caves cover a distance of 1.25miles made up of rock shelters, grottos and underground like littoral caves. They are located in Musanze district specifically in Ruhengeri region about 22kilometers from Musanze town. These caves are a haven to a large population of bats that are spotted hanging on the walls as well as beneath several plant species that grow on the walls. The Musanze caves also used to shelter the locals more so during the Rwanda genocide as more history is told on one’s visit to these wondrous caves.
Culture
Volcanoes National Park comprises of a cultural village known as Ibyi’wacu cultural village or gorilla guardians village that brings together Rwanda’s cultural norms, values, people, history and cultural customs in one place to be experienced by visitors. The word Ibyi’wacu is a Kinyarwanda word that means treasures of our home and history that is fully evidenced by its long established races for example Hutus, Tutsis and the Batwa. On one’s visit to the gorilla guardians village, one gets to know how life was in a typical African community setting such as their lifestyle, housing, dressing code, leadership structures, medicinal herbs, food to mention but a few. Tourists also get the opportunity to engage with locals where they learn about the ancient honey collecting techniques, hunting skills and basket weaving techniques.
Twin lakes (Lake Bulera and Ruhondo)
The magnificent twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo were formed due to volcanic activities that took place in northern Rwanda when lava flowing from the eruption of Mount Muhabura blocked Nyabarongo River and thus forming lava dammed lakes currently known as the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo. The two lakes are divided by a 1kilometer layer of land and located adjacent to Volcanoes National Park at the base of Muhabura volcano bordering Uganda in the south. A boat cruise or a canoe can be taken along the Lakes’ waters for greater sightseeing and birdwatching. There are several activities that can be carried out on and around the twin lakes for example nature walks, sport fishing and many more which may be embarked on after strenuous activities like mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking.
Activities in Volcanoes National Park
Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park starts with a briefing at the park headquarters about the gorilla trekking etiquettes. This is then followed by gorilla family allocation and dividing trekkers into groups with a maximum number of eight individuals per group. Trekkers are driven to their designated starting points where they start to hike through dense bamboo forested mountain slopes in search of the gentle giants which takes one to six hours depending on their movement. It’s at this point that one experiences the most exciting and memorable wildlife encounter when he/ she spends an hour closely observing the endangered gorillas in their natural habitat. It is so breathtaking to watch the gorilla juveniles and infants play and roll around as others may walk so close though harmless.
Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park starts with a mini briefing about the golden monkey trekking dos and don’ts by 7:00am at the park headquarters after which you are led by a ranger guide to the bamboo forested volcano slopes to locate a troop. The endangered golden monkeys that are ready for trekking in Volcanoes National Park are divided into two troops the largest flourishing and habiting around Mount Sabyinyo and it’s the most visited one. It is not strenuous to trek golden monkeys unlike for the mountain gorillas because they do live just below the volcano mountains where they can easily be seen swinging on the bamboo trees. Trekking the golden monkeys takes to about 30minutes to four hours and this is usually done by following down the left over bamboo shoots which they normally drop after eating. The most exhilarating moment is that magical hour visitors spend viewing these endangered creatures as they also get to learn more about their other characters that make them so unique from other monkeys.
Mountain hiking/ volcano climbing
Mountain hiking in Volcanoes National Park is conducted on four out of the five volcanic mountains namely Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura and Mount Gahinga. Mountain hiking in Volcanoes National Park usually starts with a briefing at the park headquarters in Kinigi after which hikers are driven to the base of the mountain to embark on the hiking. Hiking each of the four mountains one gets a different, unique and dramatic experience as briefly explained below.
This is the highest amongst all the volcanoes standing at an altitude of 4,507meters above the ground level. Mount Karisimbi usually snows down during a few months in a year which makes it so unique from other mountains in Rwanda. Hiking to the top of mount Karisimbi takes two days for both ascending and descending with a night that is usually spent at the mountains elevation of about 3700meters. Due to its height, strenuous hiking trails, long and steep slopes, this mountain is usually hiked by experienced and seasoned hikers.
Mount Gahinga stands at an elevation of 3,474meters above the ground level making it the shortest amongst the Virunga Mountains and shared by both Uganda and Rwanda. This is the best option for first time hikers since it is less strenuous and short. Hiking to the top of Mount Gahinga takes about 4 to 6 hours ascending and descending back.
Mount Muhabura
Mount Muhabura is also referred to as Mount Muhavura and it stands at an elevation of 4127meters above the ground level. It’s so famous for its scenic beauty and the great views of the twin lakes it offers when on its summit. Hiking to the top of mount Muhabura takes to about 6 to 8hours for both ascending and descending back depending on the physical fitness of the hikers.
Mount Bisoke is a dormant volcano that stands at an altitude of 3,711 meters above the sea level. This Mountain has a crater lake on its top that compels tourists to make hikes to its peak and thus making it the most hiked volcanic mountain in Volcanoes National Park. It is also easy to hike Mount Bisoke since it has less strenuous trails and hiking takes 6 to 7 hours getting to its summit and descending back.
Volcanoes National Park is one of Rwanda’s birding destinations due to its tropical rain-forested nature that harbors over 200bird species. Birding in Volcanoes National Park starts in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters and then be led by a professional birding guide to the jungle to embark on the search of the various bird species of Volcanoes National Park. A variety of bird types are spotted for example Rwenzori doubled collared Sunbird, handsome Francolin, Rwenzori turaco, red-faced woodland Warbler, Bat hawk, White-collared Oliveback, brow-backed Honey bird, Grey-headed Bush shrike, Archer’s robin-chat, African swamp hen, Black Cuckoo shrike, Red-chested sunbird, African Goshawk, Crested Barbet, Bronzy sunbird, Grey-backed Fiscal, Palm nut Vulture to mention but a few. Bird watching in Volcanoes National Park is an activity that is normally done in accompaniment of the Park’s major activities such as mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking.
Cultural tours
Cultural tours in Volcanoes National Park are usually conducted in a cultural village known as the Ibyi’wacu cultural village also known as gorilla guardians village located in Kinigi. Making a visit to this cultural village, you are led by a local guide and warmly welcomed by the local Hutus, Tutsis and the Batwa who are friendly and willing to expose visitors to their traditional way of life such as their housings, dressing code, local food preparation, banana-beer brewery process, medicinal herbs to mention but a few. Making a visit to this cultural village, one is engaged in conversations with the locals where stories and local folks are told as you enjoy their unique traditional performances accompanied by ear catching traditional instruments. Therefore this offers one a glimpse into Rwanda’s old times and thus having a memorable experience as you have the opportunity to shop various souvenirs back home in remembrance of the land of a thousand hills.
Dian Fossey hike
The Dian Fossey hike is one of the must do activities in Volcanoes National Park where visitors are exposed to the works and efforts of the primatologist who dedicated her life to study and protect the mountain gorillas. This hike commences early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters in Kinigi led by the ranger guides. You are then driven to the starting point of the trek that is to say at the base of Mount Bisoke where you proceed through meager and thin vegetation ass you start to enjoy the stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes. Along the hike, you get to encounter bird types and animals as you climb Mount Bisoke where you break off this Mountain at an altitude of 2,967m and hike towards Mount Karisimbi. Arriving at Dian Fossey’s tombs is witnessed as you encounter a variety of plant species and a grave yard where her gorillas were always buried. Therefore the Dian Fossey hike takes between one to three hours depending on ones’ physical fitness levels.
Visiting twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo
These beautiful lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo are situated with in Musanze at the base of Mount Muhabura strategically located at the fringes of Volcanoes National Park. There are several tourist activities that can be conducted with in and around the twin Lakes of Rwanda and these include;
Bird watching. Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo are a haven to a variety of bird species for example Handsome francolin, Rwenzori Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, red-faced woodland Warbler, brown-necked parrot, Kingfishers to mention but a few. These bird types can be spotted while on a nature walk around the lakes or when one decides to take on a boat cruise the twin lakes’ wares.
Community visits or walks. With community walks, visitors get to engage and interact with the hospitable native Rwandese where one gets to indulge into their culture as he or she makes visits to the farms.
Canoeing/boat cruise. This is another poplar activity carried out on the twin lakes where tourists have the opportunity to explore the lakes as they enjoy the scenic beauty of the Virunga Mountains as they also spot a variety of bird species that are endemic to the region.
There are other several activities that are carried out around the twin lakes such as nature walks, bicycle riding, swimming since the Lakes’ waters are predator free, sport fishing where tourists get to learn about the local fishing methods like use of fishing nets, fishing baskets, hooks, spears to mention but a few.
Caving
Musanze caves are located at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park just 2km from the park headquarters. Walkways and stairs were set up through the volcanoes rocks to Musanze caves through which visitors hike to the caves’ entrance that covers to about 10km. Safety measures were set to ensure reduced risks of injury such as helmets, gloves, safety shoes are given to visitors prior to hiking to the caves. As visitors walk in the caves, they start to spot large population of bats hanging on the walls which is so wondrous. Hikes to the caves are led by an informed local guide that narrates all the history attached to the caves. Caving is a perfect addition activity to gorilla and golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Best time to visit Volcanoes National Park
The best time to visit Volcanoes National Park is during the dry season in the months of June to mid-September and December to February though the Park is open to visits all year round. During the dry season, trails are less muddy, less slippery and hiking to the Virunga Mountains is easier and less strenuous. However the wet season in the months of March to May and October to November is the perfect time for birdwatching since several plants are flowering during the wet season and therefore attracting various bird kinds.