Volcanoes National Park.
Rwanda has only one park that is home to part of world’s gorilla species and this is the great Volcanoes National Park. This park was first was first gazetted in 1925, as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Bisoke, and Mikeno volcanoes intended to protect the gorillas from poaching.It was the very first national park to be created in Africa.
There are many activities to be enjoyed from this area apart from gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.This area is home to numerous caves, a number of cultural and community tourism initiates as well as being an excellent location for bird watching.
For the sport enthusiast there are a number of hiking trails in the magestic Virunga mountains or you can enjoy cycling the area,boating on the twin lakes,fishing and more.
Volcano Mountains
Most of the volcanoes forming the magnificent Virunga mountain range chain are dormant except for mount Nyiragongo at 3462m and mount Nyamuragira at3063m above sea level in the Democratic republic of Congo.The most recent eruptions date was 2006 and January 2010.
The highest volcano is mount Karisimbi at 4507m with the oldest volcano being mount Sabyinyo which stands at3634m.
Mount Bisoke, Mgahinga, Mikeno and Muhabura volcanoes are the other volcanoes with in the volcanoes national park.There is a crater lake,lake Ngezi on mount Bisoke.
Gorilla families in the park
The Sabyinyo group frequently inhabits the closest territory to the park’s edge,between Mount Sabyinyo, from which the group takes its name and Mount Gahinga.They can usually be reached in a two hour walk.The group is lead by Guhonda, the largest Silver Back.
The Amahoro,meaning peaceful is lead by Ubumwe who lives up to his name. There is a steep climb to reach the tranquil Amahoro group,however, the climb is well worth it once in contact with this tranquil group.
The Umubano group is lead by Charles the Silver Back who took part of the Amahoro group to create its own when he matured into the same rank as Ubumwe.The two Silver Backs have met since,Ubumwe seems to respect Charles and two groups live peacefully alongside.
The Susa group is currently the largest group of gorillas in the world and the one originally studied by Dr Dian Fossey.
In this group you will also find the oldest known habituated gorilla,poppy who was born in 1976.The group takes its name from the Susa river which has its source in the Virunga mountains.
The Kwitonda group includes three Silver Backs. This group came across to Rwanda from Uganda and DRC Congo to establish itself on the slopes of mountain Muhabura.
The Agashya group was named after its commanding Silver Back,whose name means “the news”. Agashya’s take over was unprecedented.
The Hirwa group is an emerging group of members from other groups.It is the newest group,residing mainly on the foothills of mount Sabyinyo on the Gahinga side.Its name means “lucky one”.
Mount Bisoke Crater Lake Hike
Bisoke volcano 3711m above sea level is located on the Congo and Rwanda border.An eruption in1957 formed two small cones on the north flank of the volcano, 11km from the summit, which supports a beautiful crater Lake, Lake Ngezi.
Hiking to the crater lake requires four hours up a steep trail from the Bisoke departure point to reach the summit.
The walk around the crater lake rim is highly recommended. Allow seven hours for the entire trip. Lake Ngezi, a small, shallow crater Lake is the easiest hike in the park, it takes only 3-4 hour round trip from the Bisoke departure point.
Karisimbi Volcano Hike
The Karisimbi mountain name is Kinyarwanda means white shell,which refers to the white capped summit which is often seen.Karisimbi is the fifth highest mountain in Africa.This is a strenuous 2 day hike .
The climb will start early in the morning and takes 6 hours. You will climb further via the Bisoke side, before reaching the first stopping place at an altitude of 3700m for overnight.
Dian Fossey Tomb Trail
The mountain gorillas survive thanks to Dian Fossey, a researcher who was buried at her research centre alongside these mountain gorillas to which she dedicated her life.
The trail leading to her tomb and Karisoke research centre is a beautiful yet challenging 1 hour 45 minute hike up steep slopes where orchids, bird life and even occasional mountain gorillas can be seen.
Other activities.
- Golden monkey trekking
- Birding
- Caving
- Community and cultural based tourism activities
- Ethno Botany tour with traditional healers
- Kinigi – IbyI’wacu cultural village
- Markets in musanze
- Brick making tour
Other physical features in the park
- Rugezi swamp
- Buhanga Eco park
- Lake Karago
- Lake Nyarakigugu- good for fishing and birding activities
- Twin Lake – Bulera & Ruhondo
