A brief Overview of Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is around 160 square kilometres and is the oldest national park in all of Africa!
What was once a small area around the volcanoes of Karisimbi, Mikeno and Visoke, facing high threats of poaching and extinction of the gorillas, soon became a focal conservation area as the American zoologist Dian Fossey began her research in 1967. Today, the national park still retains a strong historical connection to mountain gorilla conservation, and whilst there are 10 gorilla groups accessible to tourists (around 175 gorillas), there are another 10 families that still remain protected for research purposes, continuing the legacy of Dian Fossey.
Trekking through the wilderness in search of a family of gorillas and its dominant silverback is definitely the main attraction for tourists to the Volcanoes National Park. As it is located only a 2-hour drive from Rwanda’s capital Kigali, it is easily accessible for those looking to do a day trip to see the gorillas. Alternatively, accommodation close to the park headquarters allows guests to spend a few days embracing the remoteness and beauty of the national park, combining gorilla treks, nature walks, volcano hikes and much more.
Do see our best camps & lodges in Volcanoes National Park picks for 2026/27 on this page.
Activities in Volcanoes national Park
Famous for its habituated mountain gorillas, the Volcanoes National Park attracts those looking for a once in a life time experience. Although the 10 families of gorillas in the park are somewhat used to human presence, it is important to remember they are wild animals which can still be unpredictable.
Apart from trekking to see the gorillas, visitors can also see the endemic golden monkeys. Similar to the mountain gorillas, a one-hour time limit is applied for time spent with the golden monkeys. However, unlike the gorillas, who live in the higher slopes of the mountains, the golden monkeys tend to inhabit the slower slopes, so reaching them is easier.
Generally, other activities in the Volcanoes National Park are also based around being active and adventurous. Visitors can climb a number of volcanoes, including Karisimbi and Visoke and can visit nearby lakes. Many of the lodges also put on traditional dance performances in the evening, whilst others work closely with the community and offer visits to local primary schools, orphanages and sustainable projects across the settlements.
Do see our best camps & lodges in Volcanoes National Park picks for 2026/27 on this page.
Best time to visit Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda and the Volcanoes National Park have 2 “dry season” windows to choose from when the trails are drier and so making the trekking more manageable…between June and September and again from December to February.
This being said, in what is deemed as the rainy seasons, the showers are powerful but short and so, if you don’t mind a more energetic walk you can benefit from fewer tourists and lower prices.
Do see our interactive best time to visit Volcanoes National Park guide on this page as well as on our parent guide to rwanda page for more in-depth information on when to go.
Or call us on +44 1525 840 149. That’s what we’re here for.
Need more help?
As much as AI has changed the way we all approach our lives, there is still no substitute for picking up the phone and having a chat through the options with one of us on +44 1525 840 149
This allows us to completely tailor the property choices, costs and itinerary length to your needs…but we also understand that this is not always possible with the busy lives we all lead.
With this in mind, we have also put together a safari finder tool that should help you to narrow down the initial stages at which point we can jump in to “round off the edges” as it were.
Alternatively please feel free to send us an email with your timings, group size and rough likes and dislikes and we can get the ball rolling.
Get help with a Safari to Volcanoes National Park
As much as AI has changed the way we all approach our lives, there is still no substitute for picking up the phone and having a chat through the options with one of us on +44 1525 840 149
This allows us to completely tailor the property choices, costs and itinerary length to your needs…but we also understand that this is not always possible with the busy lives we all lead.
With this in mind, we have also put together a safari finder tool that should help you to narrow down the initial stages at which point we can jump in to “round off the edges” as it were.
Alternatively please feel free to send us an email with your timings, group size and rough likes and dislikes and we can get the ball rolling.
Where is Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park
