It is also called Pac Des Volcans covering 160 Square Kilometers and was established in 1925. Volcanoes National Park is situated in the Northwestern part of Rwanda. It’s a home of mountain Gorillas and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems embracing evergreen and bamboo forests, open grassland, swamp, and heath.
Volcanoes National Park is made up of a chain of dormant Volcanoes namely; Mt Karisimbi (4507m), Mt Bisoke (3711m), Mt Sabyinyo (3669m), Mt Gahinga (3474m) and Mt Muhabura (4127m). Visitors can challenge themselves by climbing any of the Virunga mountains. Based on your fitness levels, you can hike the highest Mt Karisimbi or the lowest Mt Gahinga.
From Kigali Airport, it’s 2hrs drive to Volcanoes National Park. By road, you drive via the rolling hills of Rwanda with clear views of the mighty Virunga ranges. It’s one of Africa’s famous national parks, the area is well-known for housing the rare, endemic, and critically endangered mountain gorillas. Today, Pac Des Volcans is the most visited park in Rwanda.
Volcanoes National Park is part Virunga crescent together with Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is the second largest after Virunga National Park at 7769 square Kilometers and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest covering an area of 33.7 square Kilometers.
Why is Pac Des Volcans famous?
It’s famous due to the existence of Mountain Gorillas, Golden monkeys and 5 volcanic mountains (Mt Gahinga, Mt Sabinyo, Mt Bisoke, Mt Karisimbi, and Mt Muhavura, all these Volcanic Mountain, the 3 are shared between Uganda and Rwanda, while the remaining 2 volcanoes are shared between Rwanda and Congo Republic of Congo.
Reasons for visiting Volcanoes National Park
Being the most visited park in Rwanda, there are pull factors attributing to that. Such factors include the presence of the rare Mountain Gorillas, the beautiful Golden Monkeys, Unique bird species, the Dian Fossey tomb, the five Volcanos, Iby’lwacu cultural center among others.
Best time to visit Volcanoes National Park
Visiting the park is all year round but the dry season is the best; June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)
High Season – June to September (Permits may sell out and lodges charge higher rates), Low Season – March, April, October, and November (These are the peaks of the rains), Best Weather -June to August (Least rain)
Safari Lodges in Volcanoes National Park
The park is surrounded by many luxury, mid-range, and Budget safari Lodge/ Hotels. They include Bisate Lodge, Virunga Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, and Muhabura Hotel.
