Volcanoes National Park is becoming one of the most popular national parks on the African continent. Located in the north western part of Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park is an extraordinary park, full of impressive tropical rainforests and volcanic scenery. Many travelers who have taken gorilla safaris have rated it as the best place in the world to see the rare mountain gorillas.
1. Gorilla Tracking
This is the most popular adventure that pulls lots of tourists to Rwanda. The contry is home to nearly a third of the world’s remaining total population of the mountain gorillas with the rest living in the neighboring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla tracking (also referred to as gorilla trekking) is carried out in the Volcanoes National Park located in the northern part of Rwanda.
2. Golden Monkey Tracking
This is another adventure carried out in the Volcanoes National Park. There are golden monkeys within this world known park. Regarded as endangered species they can be tracked in Volcanoes national park. Like gorilla trekking, this activity also starts early in the morning by assembling at the park the park headquarters at 08:30am for a short briefing about golden monkey tracking then after follow the guide to the forest to begin the search for these beautiful monkeys in the thick forest of Volcanoes national park. Tracking may go to about 3-5 hours in the jungle searching for them! It is recommended to go with tracking gears such as strong shoes /boots, long sleeved shirts or blouses. You are strictly allowed to stay with them for only an hour taking photos and also observing their behaviors.
3. Mountain Hiking
Rwanda is a country which is blessed with several hills and that’s why some times it’s referred to as “The land of a Thousand Hills” so many travelers leave their beautiful offices or homes to come and spend at least1 or 5 days in Rwanda to enjoy climbing at least one of Rwanda’s mountain. Hiking on one of the volcanic mountains within the park is another thrilling adventure to take! there are five distinct volcanoes that you can hike; Mt. Bisoke, Karisimbi, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura. However there is some level of physical fitness needed to whoever is interested in climbing. You are advised to come with climbing gears or you can purchase them at the park headquarters. This is regarded as an interesting activity finding yourself at the peak is regarded memorable.
5. Visit the Dian Fossey Grave Yard
Dian Fossey was a prominent researcher who carried out research on the behaviors of mountain gorillas for a period of over 18 years. However she was later murdered in December 1985, most likely by poachers with whom she had made her self very unpopular as she was against their act of killing gorillas for trade meat and medicine. It’s through her works that Rwanda is now famously known worldwide for a habituated mountain gorillas and the best safari destination for mountain gorilla tracking, and her story has been made the subject of her film, Gorillas in the Mist. Very many travellers leave their offices and home to come in Rwanda to spend at least one or two days in the wild while with gorillas. Ounce you meet her graveyard and remind her good work you can’t fail to appreciate her work.