Rwanda · National park
Volcanoes Gorilla Safaris
Gorillas on the slopes of the Virungas, under three hours from Kigali.
Discover Volcanoes
A Volcanoes National Park safari brings you to the Rwandan side of the Virunga Mountains, where bamboo and montane forest climb the slopes of five volcanoes. The park covers about 160 square kilometres and is where Dian Fossey based her gorilla research at Karisoke.
Treks begin at the park headquarters in Kinigi, about two and a half hours by road from Kigali. Rangers assign each group of eight to a habituated family, taking fitness into account. The same mornings can include golden monkey tracking or the hike to Fossey's grave. Many travellers combine Volcanoes with a second trek across the border in Bwindi.
- Size
- About 160 km²
- Gorilla permit
- US$1,500 per person
- Treks start
- Park headquarters, Kinigi
- From Kigali
- About 2.5 hours by road
- Ideal stay
- 2–3 nights
- Best months
- Jun–Sep and Dec–Feb
What to do in Volcanoes
Gorilla trekking
Groups gather at Kinigi at 7:00 for a briefing and traditional dancing, then drive to the trailhead for their assigned family. Treks through bamboo and nettles usually take from one to four hours, followed by an hour with the gorillas.
How a trek day worksGolden monkey tracking
Golden monkeys live in the bamboo zone and are found on a shorter, easier trek. It is a lively contrast to the calm of a gorilla family.
Safaris in Volcanoes
Dian Fossey's grave and Karisoke
A steep hike leads to the site of the Karisoke research station and the graves of Dian Fossey and the gorillas she studied, including Digit.
Lodges near KinigiWildlife you may see in Volcanoes
Primates
Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, both habituated for visitors.
Mammals
Forest buffalo, bushbuck and black-fronted duiker; forest elephants are present but rarely seen.
Birds
Around 180 species, including Albertine Rift endemics such as the Rwenzori turaco and Rwenzori double-collared sunbird.
The story of Volcanoes
The Virunga volcanoes were first protected in 1925, as part of Albert National Park, the first national park in Africa. Dian Fossey founded the Karisoke Research Center on the saddle between Karisimbi and Bisoke in 1967, and her work helped save the mountain gorilla.
Five of the eight Virunga volcanoes lie in or along the park, including Karisimbi, the highest at about 4,500 metres. The vegetation changes with altitude, from bamboo to hagenia and hypericum forest to alpine meadows near the summits.
When to go
Gorilla treks run all year. The long dry season from June to September, and the shorter one from December to February, bring firmer trails. The rains from March to May are the heaviest. At around 2,500 metres, mornings are cool in any month.
- JanDrier
- FebDrier
- MarWetter
- AprWetter
- MayWetter
- JunDrier
- JulDrier
- AugDrier
- SepDrier
- OctDrier
- NovWetter
- DecWetter
Drier, peak seasonWetter, green season
Where we travel in Volcanoes
Featured Volcanoes safaris
Luxury lodges in Volcanoes
Bisate Lodge
Six forest villas on an eroded volcanic cone, facing Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi.
Ask about this lodgeSabyinyo Silverback Lodge
A community-owned lodge near Kinigi, close to the park headquarters where treks begin.
Ask about this lodgePlanning your visit
Getting there
About two and a half hours by road from Kigali, on good tarmac through the hills.
How long to stay
Two nights for one gorilla trek; three to add golden monkeys or the Dian Fossey hike.
Where to stay
Lodges around Kinigi are minutes from the park headquarters where every trek begins.
Combine with
Southern Bwindi across the Cyanika border, Nyungwe Forest or Akagera.
Questions travellers ask
How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?
US$1,500 per person. It includes park entry, the rangers and one hour with a habituated family. Our Rwanda gorilla safaris include it.
How hard is the trek in Volcanoes?
Most treks take one to four hours, on steep and often muddy slopes at altitude. Rangers try to match groups to families by fitness, and porters are available at the trailhead.
What is the minimum age?
Trekkers must be at least 15 years old.
Can we trek with golden monkeys on the same day?
Golden monkey treks usually run in the morning at the same time as gorilla treks, so most people do them on a separate morning.
More of Rwanda
Akagera
Rwanda's savannah park on the Tanzanian border, run by African Parks. Lions returned in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017.
Discover AkageraNyungwe Forest
Ancient montane rainforest with chimpanzees, 13 primate species and a canopy walkway high above a ravine.
Discover Nyungwe ForestSomething made for you
Any trip can be lengthened, upgraded or combined across both countries. Send your dates and the number of travellers, and you'll get a costed plan within a day.