The mountain gorillas
Families among the leaves.
Emmanuelkwizera — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dave Proffer — CC BY 2.0 · Voyager — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Charles J. Sharp — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Carine06 from UK — CC BY-SA 2.0
Volcanoes National Park is 160 square kilometres of rainforest in north-west Rwanda, taking in five of the eight Virunga volcanoes: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. It is home to the mountain gorilla and the golden monkey, and it is the place most visitors to Rwanda come to see. It adjoins Virunga National Park in DR Congo and Mgahinga in Uganda. It was set up in 1925 as a small area to protect gorillas from poachers, and it was the first national park created in Africa. In 1929 it grew to become part of the Albert National Park. The American naturalist Dian Fossey arrived in 1967, founded the Karisoke Research Centre between Karisimbi and Bisoke, and brought the danger facing the gorillas to world attention. She was murdered at her home in 1985 and is buried in the park. A trek starts in the morning at the park headquarters, then you walk with a ranger through fields and bamboo forest to a gorilla family and spend a set time with it. You may see a mother and young among the green leaves and a big male feeding. You may also spot the golden monkey with its orange fur, chameleons on the branches and the jagged top of Sabyinyo above the farms. It is about 16 km from Musanze in a straight line and about 84 km from Kigali. Book a permit months ahead, and wear long clothes, gloves and strong shoes, as the ground is muddy. You can also climb Mount Bisoke in a long day or visit Fossey's grave. Keep the distance the ranger sets, and do not go if you are ill.
Families among the leaves.
Orange fur in bamboo.
A jagged top above farms.
North-west Rwanda, near Musanze
From one to several hours, depending on the family and your fitness, which rangers consider when assigning groups.
Yes, the park sets a minimum age, so ask about the current rule when you book.