Volcanoes National Park
Africa's first national park — 604 mountain gorillas across the Virunga volcanoes where Dian Fossey made history.
About Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) protects 160 square kilometres of montane rainforest across five of the eight Virunga volcanoes in northwestern Rwanda: Karisimbi (4,507 m — the highest), Bisoke (3,711 m), Sabyinyo (3,634 m), Gahinga (3,474 m), and Muhabura (4,127 m). It was Africa's first national park, established in 1925, and is the site where Dian Fossey conducted her pioneering gorilla research from 1967 until her murder in 1985. Today it shelters approximately 604 mountain gorillas in 12 habituated groups.
When to Go
June to September for the driest trekking conditions. December to February also good. Gorilla permits ($1,500 USD) are limited to 96 visitors per day (8 per group).
What You'll See
604 mountain gorillas, endangered golden monkeys (endemic to the Virungas, with dedicated tracking at $100 USD), buffalo, bushbuck, spotted hyena, black-fronted duiker, and over 178 bird species. The bamboo zone (2,500-3,300 m) is the primary golden monkey habitat.
Your Journey Begins
2.5-hour drive from Kigali International Airport to Musanze (Ruhengeri), the gateway town. Helicopter transfers available (20 minutes). All treks depart from park headquarters at Kinigi, a 15-minute drive from Musanze.
Within Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla Trekking Sectors
12 habituated gorilla families from easy bamboo treks to the legendary Susa group on volcanic slopes.
Gorilla treks depart daily from the Kinigi park headquarters, with groups assigned based on fitness level and gorilla family location. The 12 habituated groups range from low-altitude bamboo zones (1-2 hour treks) to steep volcanic slopes requiring 4-6 hours. The Susa group, once studied by Dian Fossey, is the largest with over 30 members but requires the most strenuous climb. Igisha and Amahoro groups are recommended for less mobile visitors.
Dian Fossey Tomb & Karisoke Research Centre
Hike to Dian Fossey's grave beside her gorilla Digit — and visit the 2022 Ellen DeGeneres conservation campus.
The Karisoke Research Centre, founded by Dian Fossey in 1967 between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke, is accessible via a 2-3 hour guided hike through bamboo and Hagenia forest. Fossey's grave lies beside her beloved gorilla Digit's tomb. The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, opened in Musanze in 2022, provides a world-class exhibition on gorilla conservation and Fossey's legacy before visitors trek to the original research site.
Golden Monkey Tracking
Track the endangered golden monkey — a Virunga endemic with only 5,000 left in the wild.
Golden monkey tracking focuses on a habituated group of this endangered Albertine Rift endemic (Cercopithecus kandti) in the bamboo zone at 2,500-3,300 metres. Only around 5,000 golden monkeys exist in the wild, restricted to the Virunga volcanoes and Gishwati Forest. The trek is shorter and less strenuous than gorilla trekking (typically 1-3 hours), with permits at $100 USD, making it an excellent half-day activity.
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