National Park · Northwestern Rwanda (Musanze)
Volcanoes National Park
Africa's oldest national park, and part of the only habitat in the world where mountain gorillas survive, shared with Uganda and DR Congo across the Virunga Mountains.
How to get there
By road from Kigali via Musanze, roughly two hours on tarmac — the shortest, most direct gorilla-trekking access of any country.
What to find
Gorilla trekking across multiple habituated families, separate golden monkey tracking, and hikes up the dormant Virunga volcanoes (Bisoke, Karisimbi).
Overview
Volcanoes National Park protects about 160 km² of the Virunga volcanoes in northwestern Rwanda. It began in 1925 as part of Albert National Park, Africa's first national park, and it's where Dian Fossey carried out her famous gorilla research from the Karisoke Research Center, founded in 1967.
Today it's Rwanda's gorilla-trekking heartland, with about a dozen habituated gorilla families. It also protects the endangered golden monkey, and offers hikes up volcanoes such as Bisoke and Karisimbi. The park sits in a dramatic landscape of bamboo and montane forest, with volcanic peaks rising above.
Highlights
- Gorilla trekking with one of about a dozen habituated families
- Golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forest
- The hike to Dian Fossey's grave and the old Karisoke camp
- The Bisoke crater lake hike, and the two-day climb of Karisimbi (4,507m)
- The annual Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ceremony
Things to do
Gorilla trekking
Permits cost US$1,500. The minimum age is 15, and there's one hour with the family.
Golden monkey tracking
A half-day activity, great for families and photographers.
Dian Fossey hike
To the graves of Dian Fossey and her gorilla Digit.
Volcano hikes
Bisoke (a day hike) and Karisimbi (two days).
Community and cultural visits
Local villages, dance and craft cooperatives around Kinigi.
Best time to visit
All year. The drier months (June to September and December to February) make the trails easier, and permits sell out months in advance.
Getting there
About 2 to 2.5 hours by road from Kigali International Airport to Musanze and the park headquarters at Kinigi.
Where to stay
Lodges around Kinigi range from comfortable mid-range lodges to some of Africa's most exclusive gorilla lodges.
Volcanoes National Park & Musanze
A selection of well-known options, not a complete list. See all accommodation in Rwanda →
Good to know
- Treks start with a 7am briefing at Kinigi, so stay close to the park.
- Porters are available and recommended.
- Combine with southern Bwindi in Uganda to save on permit costs.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.
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