Volcanoes National Park

The legendary home of Rwanda's mountain gorillas, set along the steep bamboo slopes of the misty Virunga Volcanoes.

Elevation 2,400m – 4,507m

Best Seasons June to September & December to February

Circuit Virunga Massif

Wildlife Focus World-Class Habituated Mountain Gorilla Tracking, Rare Golden Monkey Trekking in High-Altitude Bamboo

Discovering Volcanoes National Park

Set against the dramatic backdrop of five extinct volcanic peaks—Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo—Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) in northwestern Rwanda is a premier global sanctuary for primate conservation. Covering 160 square kilometers of lush montane and bamboo forests, it was the historic base of legendary primatologist Dian Fossey and the crucible of modern mountain gorilla protection.

Trekking to meet a habituated family of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is widely acclaimed as one of the most profound, emotionally stirring wildlife encounters on Earth. Guests hike through misty volcanic slopes guided by expert park rangers, spending an unforgettable hour watching silverbacks, playful juveniles, and nursing mothers in their primeval rainforest home.

In addition to gorilla trekking, the park offers exhilarating tracking for endangered golden monkeys that bound through the bamboo canopy, challenging summit hikes up Mount Bisoke with its emerald crater lake, and visits to the Gorilla Guardians Cultural Village (Iby'Iwacu) celebrating Rwanda's vibrant music, dance, and royal traditions.