The Volcanoes National Park is part of the larger Virunga conservation area that straddles Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The park is situated in north western Rwanda about 116 kilometers from the capital city Kigali and covers an area of 160 kilometer squares. Five of the eight volcanoes of the virunga mountains (Karisimbi 4507m, Bisoke 3711m, Muhabura 4127m, Gahinga 3474m and Sabyingo 3669m) are found in this park. Volcanoes national park is the most famous destination in Rwanda and is synonymous with gorilla trekking safaris. No visit to Rwanda is ever complete without visiting these majestic primates up to their bedrooms..
It is a haven for the rare and endangered mountain gorilla and golden monkeys. The park was made famous by the research work of Dian Fossey, an American primatologist, who paid the ultimate price for her efforts to save the gorillas from extinction. Fossey’s life was later scripted in the film Gorillas in the Mist, named after her autobiography. She is buried in the park amongst the gorillas which were part of her life.
Besides the gorillas and golden monkeys, the park is inhabited by buffaloes, black duiker, black spotted hyenas and bushbucks. The park is also home to over 178 species of birds with about 12 of the main species and 15 of the sub-species being endemic to the Virunga conservation area. A safari to Volcanoes takes visitors to gorilla trekking, visits to golden monkeys, climbing karasimbi volcano, cultural village tours, and bird watching among others.
