When planning for a safari to the “Land of a thousand Hills, do not leave out the wonderful visit to this splendid and prominent National Park. Volcanoes National Park also known as Parc National Des Volcans (PNV) is one of the most visited National Parks in Rwanda and a Haven of the renowned Mountain Gorillas. It offers a favorable and exhilarating option to participate in the life changing activity (Mountain Gorilla trekking).
Volcanoes National Park is a small park with an area of 160 square kilometers (16,000 Hectares). Situated in Ruhengeri, Musanze district in the Northern Province of Rwanda and West of Kigali. This magnificent Park is part of the extensive Virunga Massif that is astride Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It was established in 1925 making it the first National Park to be established in Africa and its headquarters is based in Kinigi. The main purpose of establishing this park was to conserve the critically endangered Mountain Gorilla population.
In addition to the eminent Mountain gorillas, Parc National Des Volcans (PNV) is also endowed with tremendous wildlife species like Golden monkeys, Forest elephants, Buffalos, Black-fronted Duikers, Bushbucks, Giant forest Hog, Bush pigs, Spotted Hyenas, bird species like Rwenzori turaco, Handsome francolin, Red-faced woodland among others. Besides the park being popular for gorilla and golden monkey trekking, other activities like the refreshing Dian Fossey tomb hike, thrilling Mount Karisimbi hike, the invigorating Mount Bisoke hike are also extraordinary to the Park. The scenic views of the different vegetation types i.e. Bamboo forest, montane forest and Grasslands also add to the magical experience.
Volcanoes National Park is about 105 kilometers (65 miles) away from the Country’s city and Airport (Kigali), it can be accessed by road and by air. By air you can land in Kigali International Airport after which you drive/be driven for 2 hours to reach the Park. When planning to participate in the remarkable gorilla trekking, you can choose the cozy accommodation facilities around the Park or in Kigali town because regardless of your choice you will leave totally satisfied, and you will not take long to reach the Park for your adventurous activity. However, wherever you choose to spend your night ahead of the adventure, you will be required to arrive at the Kinigi Park Headquarters by 7:00am for your pre-tracking briefing.
You will have to use a private means to access the Park since there are no public transport services from Musanze to Kinigi Park Headquarters. Public transport services are only available from Kigali town/ Airport or Gisenyi to Musanze town. In order to make your trip smooth, use the services of tour operators like Maranatha Tours and Travel who will book for your transport to and from the park and your accommodation. There are also exciting self drive services from Kigali to visit the Park
Unlike Uganda where Gorilla trekking cannot be performed on the same day of departing (going back home), tourists visiting Volcanoes National park are blessed because they can trek the gorillas for one day and still go back home that same day due to the small size of the park and country and also the short distance/less time from Kigali to the Park.
Volcanoes National Park is a spectacular and most visited destination in Rwanda because it is a home of the incredible mountain gorillas, the golden monkeys and other wildlife species besides the thrilling and scenic views of the Volcanoes. Visitors should access/visit this park and have the spellbinding memories of their lives.