Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Volcanoes: the heart of mountain gorilla trekking
Volcanoes National Park at a glance:
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Just a three-hour drive from the Rwandan capital city of Kigali, Volcanoes National Park offers superb gorilla trekking opportunities. Trekking for gorillas has been described by many of our safari guests as a life-changing experience. Time spent with this fellow great ape is a humbling and profoundly spiritual experience that should be at the top of your bucket list
Volcanoes National Park protects the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains, one of the last remaining strongholds of the endangered mountain gorilla. It’s home to five non-active volcanoes, troops of charismatic golden monkeys, and lush vegetation interspersed with marshes and small lakes. Here, biodiversity thrives, rare primates move easily through the canopy, and every step into the forest feels deeply immersive.
Volcanoes was the setting for the film Gorillas in the Mist, an autobiography about Dian Fossey, who set up the Karisoke Research Centre and dedicated her life to mountain gorillas. And while the gorillas may be the stars, visitors are equally likely to find themselves blown away by this volcanic landscape's breathtaking scenery and astonishing biodiversity.
5 Reasons We Love Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking: Spend an hour with a habituated gorilla family, after trekking through tropical and montane forests. Only eight permits are issued per group per day, ensuring an intimate and low-impact experience.
Volcanic landscapes: Explore the dramatic scenery of five extinct volcanoes – Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura – shaping the park’s striking terrain.
Golden monkeys: Encounter troops of habituated golden monkeys, a rare and charismatic species found only in the Virunga region.
Dian Fossey legacy: Hike to the Karisoke Research Centre and Fossey’s final resting place, a powerful insight into the history of gorilla conservation.
Kwita Izina ceremony: Rwanda’s annual gorilla-naming ceremony celebrates conservation success through music, culture, and community involvement.
All you need to know about Volcanoes National Park
About Volcanoes National Park
Located on Rwanda’s north-western border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park covers 160km² (16,000 hectares) of the Virunga Mountains.
The park protects five of the Virunga volcanoes and forms part of the Greater Virunga Ecosystem, alongside Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the DRC. Together, these protected areas safeguard just over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
The terrain is defined by high-altitude volcanic slopes, with most of the park lying above 2,000 metres. Vegetation shifts with altitude, from bamboo and tropical forest to montane forest and Afroalpine shrubland, with grasslands, marshes and small lakes in between.
Volcanoes National Park is easily accessible, approximately a three-hour drive from Kigali.
What wildlife can I see in Volcanoes National Park?
Endangered mountain gorillas, making up twelve habituated families, call Volcanoes National Park home. These are the Susa, Igisha, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Agashya, Kwitonda, Umubano, Hirwa, Bwenge, Kwisanga and Muhoza families.
Habituated golden monkeys are another highlight, found only in the Virunga region and almost as rare as their gorilla counterparts.
Other wildlife is more elusive but includes forest elephants (no more than 50 individuals), buffaloes, bushpigs, giant forest hogs, and black-fronted duikers, all moving through the dense forest.
Birding is exceptional, with over 200 species recorded, including 17 Albertine Rift endemics. Some key species you can look forward to seeing include scarlet-tufted sunbirds, African pittas, Rwenzori turacos, African green broadbills, handsome francolin, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Rwenzori batis and Shelley’s crimsonwing.
Where to stay in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park has limited accommodation options, from luxury lodges with sweeping views of the Virunga volcanoes to smaller, more intimate camps designed for a deeper forest experience.
Some lodges are located on the park’s edge, providing easy access to trekking starting points. Properties typically focus on comfort after physically demanding treks, with warm hospitality and ample spaces to relax and reflect on the day’s encounters.
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Why choose Africa Geographic to plan your safari?
"As expected the gorilla trekking and Nyungwe forest was a highlight but unexpectedly the Rwandan countryside, culture and society turned out to be just as fascinating. We learnt so much. Thank you to our excellent driver and guardian… who enhanced our experience through sharing and answering all our questions."
"My family and I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Rwanda to see the gorillas. It was a trip of a lifetime – a bucket list trip that was realised! The sightings of the golden monkeys and gorillas were absolutely amazing and so were the local tours. The guides, rangers and our driver were so professional."
"We have just returned from an 8-day 3 country trip to see primates – mountain and lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, golden and colobus monkeys. The trip was extremely well arranged and we had a ball . . . The trip was arranged by AG in conjunction with local operators, who were highly knowledgeable and steered us through borders and bush with great expertise."
Wish you were here?
Frequently asked questions
Volcanoes National Park is one of the world’s most important mountain gorilla habitats and a leading destination for gorilla trekking safaris. It combines rare wildlife encounters with dramatic volcanic landscapes and a strong conservation legacy.
The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. This makes the terrain easier to navigate. Rainfall is common throughout the year, so waterproof gear and proper hiking boots are necessary.
You can see mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, along with forest elephants, buffalo, bushpigs and a variety of smaller forest species. Birdlife is also a major highlight, with over 200 recorded species.
Gorilla trekking can take between one and six hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family. The terrain can be steep, muddy and dense, requiring a reasonable level of fitness. Read more about gorilla trekking.
Gorilla trekking permits cost $1,500 per person and are issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Only 96 permits are available each day across Rwanda's 12 habituated gorilla families – 8 per family.
Africa Geographic arranges permits as part of every Rwanda itinerary. For peak-season travel (June–September and December–February), permits should be secured 12–18 months in advance. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Visitors must be at least 15 years old to trek gorillas in Rwanda. This rule is in place to protect gorillas from childhood diseases, to which they are particularly susceptible. There is no maximum age limit, though a reasonable level of fitness is required for all participants.
Each gorilla family can be visited by a maximum of eight people per day for a controlled and low-impact experience.
Kwita Izina is an annual ceremony where newborn gorillas are named, based on a traditional Rwandan naming practice. It celebrates both conservation success and community involvement.
The park's elevation ranges from around 2,400 metres to 4,507 metres at the summit of Mount Karisimbi, the highest of the five volcanoes. Most gorilla treks take place between 2,400m and 3,500m. The altitude means temperatures can be cool to cold, especially in the mornings and evenings – lightweight layers are advisable even in the dry season.
Yes, and most Rwanda itineraries benefit from combining parks. Akagera National Park (Big Five, approximately 3–4 hours from Kigali) pairs naturally with Volcanoes for travellers wanting both primate and classic safari experiences. Nyungwe Forest National Park offers chimpanzee trekking and a treetop canopy walkway. Lake Kivu provides a scenic rest between parks. Africa Geographic regularly designs multi-park Rwanda itineraries such as this one.
The Musanze Caves are a network of underground lava tubes stretching approximately 2km near the Volcanoes National Park entrance, formed by ancient volcanic activity. Open year-round, they can be visited as an add-on activity before or after a gorilla or golden monkey trek. The caves are home to a colony of bats and offer an unusual perspective on the volcanic geology that defines the entire Virunga landscape.
Our safaris typically cost from US$700 per person, per night, depending on the accommodation comfort level, time of year and activities. This price usually includes accommodation, all meals, game drives, experienced guides, airport transfers, and 24/7 support from our team. This excludes the US$1,500 gorilla trekking fee per trek.
You only make your first payment when you book your holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 105 days before you travel.
Peak season bookings require 12–18 months of advance planning. Trips outside of peak season can be arranged 6–9 months ahead, with better rates and availability.
Click here to schedule a no-obligation call with one of our Safari Experts or fill in our 2-minute form with your questions. Our team of experts are here to help! Whether you’re curious about the best time to travel, want to hear first-hand about an experience or need help planning your safari.
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