Volcanoes National Park
"In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat, are great, old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest - the Virungas" - <b>Dian Fossey,</b>
The Volcanoes national park (Park National des Volcans) is situated only 91 km north-west of Rwanda’s capital Kigali and is an easy 2 hour drive on a fairly good road, through the beautiful Rwanda countryside. The park covers an area of 125 Km2 of mountain forest and volcanoes. The lushly forested slopes of the mountains form an appropriately dramatic natural setting for what is arguably the most poignant and memorable wildlife experience in the world: gorilla tracking. The exhilarating climb to the gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo forest offers fantastic views in all directions, before the trackers are immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and the chattering of rare golden monkey.
Nothing can prepare one for the impact of encountering a fully-grown silverback gorilla, up to three times the size of an average man, yet remarkably peaceable and tolerant of human visitors.
There are only about 800 mountain gorillas remaining in their natural habitat in the whole world and this habitat is in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. Presently, Rwanda not only enjoys the best security in the region but also has the easiest access routes for visiting these mountain gorillas.
A gorilla visit can entail anything from a 1 to 4-hour trek through the forest, led by experienced trackers who have spent their entire lives in or close to the forest. Your trek will be enchanting as you weave through overhanging vines, moss-covered Hagenia trees and giant Lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate. You may spot golden monkeys or see buffalo, bush duiker and a wide variety of bird life. But the high point, of course, one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth, will be spending an hour with the gorillas as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting and raising their young. At the end of your visit you will appreciate what kept conservationist Dian Fossey living in this forest for 18 good years.
Volcanoes has 7 habituated families
Information as at 2007
REAL AFRICA, organizes memorable Gorilla tracking trips to both Uganda and Rwanda. Gorilla permits are limited and are sold on 'first come - first served' basis. Once sold the permits are not refundable. Because of this, we are not able to run regular group tours. The tours advertised on this website therefore, are all private tours .
We have short tours meant to be booked as 'add on' or extensions to other tours for example after a Kenya safari. There are daily flights to Kigali from both Kenya and Tanzania. We have some longer tours also covering more than just the Gorilla tracking. The choice is yours...
Bookings are made upon receipt of a non-refundable permit cost.
ESSENTIALS FOR THE HIKE
- Long pants (jeans/khakis) and a long sleeved shirt
- Good well-worn hiking boots
- Light raincoat
- Cap/Hat
- Camera ( use of flash is not permitted when in the presence of gorillas
- Personal camcorder
The Volcanoes national park (Park National des Volcans) is situated only 91 km north-west of Rwanda’s capital Kigali and is an easy 2 hour drive on a fairly good road, through the beautiful Rwanda countryside. The park covers an area of 125 Km2 of mountain forest and volcanoes. The lushly forested slopes of the mountains form an appropriately dramatic natural setting for what is arguably the most poignant and memorable wildlife experience in the world: gorilla tracking. The exhilarating climb to the gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo forest offers fantastic views in all directions, before the trackers are immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and the chattering of rare golden monkey.
Nothing can prepare one for the impact of encountering a fully-grown silverback gorilla, up to three times the size of an average man, yet remarkably peaceable and tolerant of human visitors.
There are only about 800 mountain gorillas remaining in their natural habitat in the whole world and this habitat is in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. Presently, Rwanda not only enjoys the best security in the region but also has the easiest access routes for visiting these mountain gorillas.
A gorilla visit can entail anything from a 1 to 4-hour trek through the forest, led by experienced trackers who have spent their entire lives in or close to the forest. Your trek will be enchanting as you weave through overhanging vines, moss-covered Hagenia trees and giant Lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate. You may spot golden monkeys or see buffalo, bush duiker and a wide variety of bird life. But the high point, of course, one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth, will be spending an hour with the gorillas as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting and raising their young. At the end of your visit you will appreciate what kept conservationist Dian Fossey living in this forest for 18 good years.
Volcanoes has 7 habituated families
- Group 13 with 20 members
- Sabinyo with 11 members
- Amahoro with 18 members
- Umubano with 10 members
- Susa with 37 members
- Kwitonda with 18 members
- Hirwe with 9 members
Information as at 2007
REAL AFRICA, organizes memorable Gorilla tracking trips to both Uganda and Rwanda. Gorilla permits are limited and are sold on 'first come - first served' basis. Once sold the permits are not refundable. Because of this, we are not able to run regular group tours. The tours advertised on this website therefore, are all private tours .
We have short tours meant to be booked as 'add on' or extensions to other tours for example after a Kenya safari. There are daily flights to Kigali from both Kenya and Tanzania. We have some longer tours also covering more than just the Gorilla tracking. The choice is yours...
Bookings are made upon receipt of a non-refundable permit cost.
ESSENTIALS FOR THE HIKE
- Long pants (jeans/khakis) and a long sleeved shirt
- Good well-worn hiking boots
- Light raincoat
- Cap/Hat
- Camera ( use of flash is not permitted when in the presence of gorillas
- Personal camcorder
