Which is the oldest national park in Rwanda? Volcanoes National Park is among the four national parks in Rwanda, famously known for its fascinating endangered mountain gorillas. This Rwandan national park was gazetted in 1925, making it one of Africa’s oldest national parks on the whole planet. The national park was formally known as Parc National des Volacans, which was later turned into an English-named volcano national park. The park was established in order to protect the park’s iconic wildlife species, such as the mountain gorilla, and other natural resources from poachers.
The park is located in Kingi Ruhengeri in the northwestern province of Rwanda, covering approximately 160 square kilometers. The park covers Rwanda’s share of the Virunga conservation area and is bordered by Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The park is home to five magnificent Virunga mountains shared along Rwanda’s borders, such as Mount Bespoke, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Gashing, Mount Mahabura, and Mount Sabyinyo. Volcanoes National Park is famous for hosting half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, but there are also other attractions that attract most visitors to the park.
Volcanoes National Park is home to endangered primates. For those who are interested in seeing the endangered primates and apes, then Volcanoes National Park is the perfect place for you. The park is home to a huge number of the remaining world’s endangered mountain gorillas. Besides the volcanoes in Rwanda, these fascinating primates can also be seen in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park can be seen in the Virunga mountains, which act as a home for 10 habituated mountain gorilla groups such as Amahoro gorilla group, Sabyinyo gorilla group, Hirwa gorilla group, Kwitonda group, Umubano group, Karisimbi (Susa A and B) Agashya group, Ugenda group, and Bwenge group, among others. Besides the endangered mountain gorillas, the Volcanoes National Park is home to endangered golden monkeys, which are also some interesting primate species dwelling in the Virunga Mountains, particularly in the Volcanoes National Park.
The park is one of the remaining national parks in East Africa, where these captivating endangered golden monkeys are found and seen. The park is safe and easy since the golden monkeys feed on the lower slopes of the Virunga mountains. Fascinating golden monkeys are very unique and loving primates characterized by having a beautiful golden-colored body only found in Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and in the in the volcanoes themselves. Seeing these fascinating primates can be combined with the gorilla trekking safari since both involve walking in the lush forest along the jungles of the Virunga Mountains. Hiking and trekking these fascinating primates are interesting, and you will have a chance to see the monkeys feed, groom, and swing from one baboon to another. Trekking is an amazing and nice-looking creature that is always done in the morning, just like any other activity carried out in the park.
Volcanoes National Park is blessed to have the highest volcanoes among the Volcanoes Mountains in the Virunga region. Mount Karisimbi is an inactive volcano in the Virunga Mountains on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mount Karisimbi is the highest volcano in the Virunga range and is part of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. Mount Karisimbi is bordered by Mount Mikeno to the north, Mount Bisoke to the east, and Mount Nyiragongo to the west. Karisimbi is the 11th highest mountain in Africa, entailing 4,507 meters (14,787 feet) above sea level. Mount Karisimbi is also bordered by Mikeno to the north, Bisoke to the east, and Nyiragongo to the west, on the other side of the Rift Valley. The name Karisimbi is driven by a word in the local language, Kinyarwanda, which means “little white shell.” This is one of the hardest and most challenging mountains to hike among the Virunga mountains, but the most rewarding hiking ever. Hikers on these mountains always get a chance to see a variety of beautiful creatures, including primates, different birds, and wildlife species, as well as a beautiful verdant landscape.
Dian Fossey Grave in Rwanda is one of the most popular key attractions in Volcanoes National Park and one of the greatest wonders inside Volcanoes National Park. There’s a trail to her former research camp and grave. Hiking to the Dian Fossey Grave is about 2 to 3 hours, with rest stops in between the journey. During the hike, you will be rewarded with all kinds of animals on the way. The Dian Fossey grave sits at an altitude of about 3000 meters above sea level. Dian Fossey is a famous primatologist and tireless advocate for the endangered mountain gorillas. Her life’s work could lie in studying and protecting these stunning creatures in the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda. Dian Fossey was the first human to study and understand the complex behavior of mountain gorillas. She learned their body language, played with them, and managed to win their acceptance. She fought with poachers, which won her many enemies by using extreme methods to scare them off. Dian Fossey was later found dead in her house that she had constructed between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke with the main aim of controlling and managing the poachers, and people may climb to it for $75 USD.
A gorilla permit is an essential requirement for trekking mountain gorillas in Volcano National Park. These permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the governing body overseeing all tourism activities in Rwanda. Currently, the cost of a gorilla Rwanda permit is 1,500 US$ per person for foreigners, 500 US$ per person for foreign residents of Rwanda, and 200 US$ per person for East African citizens, including Rwandan citizens. Get in contact and let us help you organize a Rwanda safari that includes a visit to the Volcano National Park.
