When is the best time to visit volcanoes national park, Rwanda
The best time of to visit Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s oldest and smallest national park, situated in the northwestern region of the Musanze District. The park encompasses roughly 160 square kilometers of rainforest and includes five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains: Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Muhabura. Volcanoes National Park adjoins Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It serves as a habitat for endangered primates such as the mountain gorilla and golden monkey, and was the base for primatologist Dian Fossey.
The park is an extraordinary asset, encompassing diverse habitats from tropical forests to the Albertine Rift. This biodiversity is evidenced by the enumeration of over 200 bird species within Rwanda’s smallest protected area. The predominant avian species in this area are esteemed representatives of the Virunga region, essential for birdwatchers in East Africa and the African continent. The park hosts the elusive Rwenzori Turaco and the Grey-Chested Kakamega, alongside Albertine Rift endemics, sustained by diverse vegetation zones that create habitats for these birds and various mammalian species, including buffaloes, hyenas, and bushbucks.
When is the best time of day to visit Volcanoes National Park? Indeed! Volcanoes National Park is an essential destination for those on safaris in Rwanda. The park is accessible year-round, although it is important to recognize that Rwanda experiences two distinct seasons: dry and wet. Each season offers unique attractions and activities in Volcanoes National Park, depending on the preferences of the traveler. The optimal time to visit Volcanoes National Park is during the dry season.
The dry seasons in the park occur from June to mid-September and again from December to February, making this the optimal time to visit Volcanoes National Park for people wishing to trek gorillas and engage in canopy walks, as the routes are dry, non-slippery, and readily accessible. Due to the tropical rainforest of Volcanoes National Park, it is advisable to carry a jacket in the event of rain. Hiking in Volcanoes National Park is significantly more manageable during the dry season, and wildlife observation is optimal as most animals congregate near water sources to drink, increasing the likelihood of encountering them in a single location.
The wet season at Volcanoes National Park, which occurs from March to May and again from October to November, is the optimal period to see birds. These months correspond to the rainy season in Rwanda. However, this does not imply that it will rain daily during your safari; if it does rain in Rwanda, it often lasts only a few hours, with sunshine prevailing for the remainder of the day, unlike several countries in West Africa. For those interested in birdwatching, this is the optimal time to visit Virunga National Park, as the flowering plants during this season attract various bird species.
Attractive things in Volcanoes National Park
Golden monkey trekking
Golden monkey trekking is a primary attraction for several visitors in Rwanda; Volcanoes National Park is the sole national park in Rwanda and one of the national parks in East Africa where endangered golden monkeys are located. Golden monkey trekking is a distinctive and engaging experience available to visitors at Volcanoes National Park, where travelers can traverse the tropical rainforest in search of these captivating monkeys. During golden monkey trekking in Rwanda, you will have the opportunity to observe intriguing fauna that inhabit the forest, including black-fronted duikers, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, bushbucks, and various primate species such as black-and-white colobus and vervet monkeys, alongside diverse vegetation and avian species.
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park: Gorilla trekking is the primary activity undertaken by all visitors to Rwanda for wildlife safaris. The mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park are mesmerizing creatures that, if walked or observed, provide an unforgettable adventure experience. Mountain gorillas are exclusively found in three national parks in Africa: Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda is a premier adventure activity available in Volcanoes National Park, involving traversing the beautiful tropical rainforest in pursuit of these captivating and uncommon mountain gorillas. During gorilla trekking in Rwanda, you will explore the Virunga Mountains, leading you to the ten gorilla groups frequented by tourists daily, while also encountering captivating bird species, golden monkeys in the bamboo, and other primates. Trekking gorillas in Rwanda costs USD 1,500 per person aged 15 and older, purchased from the Rwanda Development Board. Each gorilla group is limited to a maximum of 8 individuals. It is advisable to proceed with caution, as the presence of grunts, roars, and growls indicates proximity to a particular gorilla family among others.
Bird Watching
Volcanoes National Park is situated at the juncture of the West African rainforests and East African grasslands, adjacent to the Virunga volcanic region and a few kilometers from Lake Kivu. These features attract numerous bird species for observation, with over 200 species documented in the park; notably, 29 species are exclusive to the Albertine Rift. Travelers wishing to explore Rwanda’s avian diversity may encounter several endemic bird species of the Albertine Rift, including the Rwenzori batis, Handsome francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Archer’s ground robin, Grauer’s rush warbler, Collared Apalis, Red-faced woodland warbler, and Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, among others.
How to get to Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is located a mere two hours’ drive from the capital city of Kigali and encompasses several districts, including Musanze, Burera, Rubavu, and Nyabihu. The park is readily accessible via Musanze, and tourists may utilize both public and private transportation. This indicates that it is highly feasible to go from Kigali to the park and track the gorillas on the same day using private transportation.
Where to stay in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park provides a diverse array of accommodation options, including budget, mid-range, and luxury levels. The park offers competitive rates for travelers while presenting serene vistas of its stunning landscape, featuring establishments such as Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Virunga Lodge, One and Only Gorilla Nest Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, and Bisate Lodge, among others.