Volcanoes National Park

Explore Volcanoes National Park – A Premier Safari Destination in Rwanda,

Volcanoes National Park (Parc National de Volcans) is a breathtaking natural wonder located in the north-western region of Rwanda. Situated just a 120-minute drive from Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, this iconic park borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, forming a unique tri-country wildlife region.

As one of Rwanda’s most famous national parks, Volcanoes National Park is home to five of the eight towering volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains, including Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo. This awe-inspiring park is best known for its role in the conservation of the critically endangered mountain gorillas, offering unparalleled opportunities for gorilla trekking adventures.

The park is a treasure trove of diverse ecosystems, featuring evergreen forests, bamboo groves, swampy wetlands, and expansive grasslands, all of which support a rich variety of wildlife and plant species. From gorilla safaris to scenic hiking tours, Volcanoes National Park offers an unforgettable adventure for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and avid trekkers.

For those seeking a truly immersive experience, Volcanoes National Park offers a range of activities including gorilla trekking tours, golden monkey tracking, and mountain climbing expeditions. With its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural significance, this park is an essential destination for anyone looking to experience the wild beauty of Rwanda.

The park was first gazetted in 1925 and was the first national park in Africa and it  is the top tourist destination in Rwanda.

What To Do in Volcanoes National Park

Rwanda is a beautiful country well known for its lush green scenery, friendly people, and unique wildlife. These lodges offer visitors luxurious accommodations, top-notch service, and stunning views of the cityscape.

Universal Ventures Rwanda has made it easy for you to find the perfect lodge in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda during your gorilla Trek tour or safari.

Accommodations in and near Volcanoes National Park

Next are the accommodations we picked for you; the most luxurious lodges in/around the park.

• One&Only Gorilla’s Nest

This Luxury Lodge is located near the Volcanoes National Park and offers spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valleys. With its tranquil atmosphere and scenic surroundings, the hotel is perfect for honeymooners, explorers, and anyone who appreciates nature. One&Only Gorilla’s Nest offers an authentic safari experience in the stunning location of mountains, meadows, and lakes.

With delicious food and beautiful rooms, you will be fully immersed in luxury during your stay. A single room costs about $600, and double luxury rooms can go up to $2,288 a night. Guests will be greeted with traditional Rwandan music and drum beats as they enter the resort. They will then be served either rose water or Rwandan coffee in the main lodge, where they can learn more about the hotel and its surroundings.

• Singita’s Kwitonda Lodge

Set right on the edge of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where more than a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas find refuge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge’s unrivalled position puts lifechanging gorilla trekking experiences within easy reach.

Each of the eight luxurious suites features a private heated plunge pool, wellness treatment area, in- and outdoor fireplaces and large timber-framed windows that welcome breathtaking scenery and volcano views inside.

• Singita’s Kataza House

Singita Kataza House’s two heated plunge pools, in- and outdoor fireplaces and large timber-framed windows continuously welcome the breathtaking scenery inside, ensuring a guest experience unlike any other. Set right on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, it puts gorilla trekking experiences in Rwanda within easy reach and the villa’s four luxurious suites provide  comfortable, reflective and nurturing spaces in which to appreciate the transformative experience of coming face to face with the gentle giants of the forest.

• Bisate Lodge

The Bisate Lodge is a Rwandan wildlife reserve situated in an extremely rare and picturesque location. The Lodge Villas have all the amenities you could hope for on your vacation. These include inside showers with both hot and warm water, a dressing room, and plenty of luggage space. The hotel also has a comfortable lounge area, a library stocked with books to help pass the time, a minibar service available 24/7, and even your own private butler.

In addition to these wonderful in-villa features, each villa also has its own large balcony affording stunning views of the park below as well as some mountains off in the distance. A double room per night at Bisate Eco-Lodge costs about $3000.

• Virunga Lodge

Before Bisate Lodge, there was no other like Virunga Lodge. This top-of-the-line lodge is owned by Volcanoes Safaris and boasts stunning views of the Volcanoes National Park. The quality services on offer have earned Virunga Lodge international awards! The lodge has ten luxury cottages made from local materials and decorated with beautiful fabrics and African art. It’s truly a sight to behold.

The hotel also serves tasty African food grown right from the gardens nearby. A double room at Virunga Lodge costs about $1,100. This includes drinks and food.

• Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

The beautiful Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge lies hidden amongst the foothills of the spectacular Virungas (a chain of volcanoes that lie in what is thought to be the heart of the legendary land of King Solomon’s mines). Surrounded by the tropical forests of Rwanda, guests can unwind in their choice of stone cottage or suites, each with a large sitting room, fireplace, stylish ensuite bathroom and private veranda. The stone buildings feature traditional terracotta tile roofs and polished wooden floors.

Scrumptious menus can be savoured in the cosy dining room or al fresco on the outside deck, with its breath-taking views of the Virunga volcanoes. Nearby adventures include hikes into the Parc National des Volcans in search of the majestic mountain gorilla and the enchanting golden monkey, cultural excursions, bird watching and mountain biking trails and visits to a multitude of scenic destinations.

• Amakoro Songa Lodge

Nestled in a small village outside the town of Kinigi, the Amakoro Songa Lodge is a genuine blend of conservation and tourism. Its eight luxurious cottages are designed and built to take advantage of its serene surroundings which give every visitor a chance to escape everyday life and a sense of tranquility. Amakoro Songa Lodge gets its name from the black volcanic rocks that characterize this mountainous part of Rwanda that is home to the Mountain Gorillas. The lodge is set on a seven-acre plot with beautifully manicured lawns, surrounded by the Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabinyo mountain volcanoes.

All the cottages at Amakoro Songa Lodge are intentionally furnished with rustic elegance, fusing local and modern pieces that create a good warmth and comfort. The spacious rooms, each equipped with a fireplace, allow guests to opt for a post-trekking massage. Our ‘must-experience’ outdoor fireplace is not to be missed and it allows guests to enjoy an evening drink while watching the traditional Intore Dance Troupe.

• Five Volcanoes Hotel

Without a doubt the go-to option in the area for those travelling on a budget. Although Five Volcanoes is fairly simple, standards of food and service here are good, while the lodge makes for the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding areas… and of course to trek gorillas.

Five Volcanoes is a brilliant base for exploring Volcanoes National Park – not only to check out the gorillas, but to see golden monkeys and enjoy canoeing and cycling too. Volcanoes National park is a home for golden monkeys, a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects among other creatures which together make a complete Rwanda safari package. and that’s where the gorilla and golden monkey trek happens.

Volcanoes National Park is a stop center for all Rwanda gorilla safaris sheltering the highest number of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation area. The strategic location is roughly 2 hours drive from Kigali International Airport make it the most accessible gorilla national park in the world.

Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking Permits

• – $1500 – Non-Africans
• – 30% Discount (US$ 1,050) on gorilla permits when combined with other Rwanda National Parks (Akagera national park, Nyungwe national park) for 3 days and more during the low season of November – May.
• – 15% discount (US$ 1,275) on conference guests who stay pre & post MICE events to see gorillas.
• – $15,000 for Private gorilla trekking of an entire group with an exclusive personalized tour guide service.
• – $ 30,000 for a minimum of 3 visitors for 3 consecutive days (Behind the scenes).

When planning for your trekking excursion to see gorillas in Rwanda at Volcanoes National Park, we recommend a few things to pack for a ultimate experience in Rwanda.

• Have a small backpack as it is useful to carry your water, packed lunch, camera and binoculars.
• You need light weight hiking boots for this activity/strong waterproof walking boots due to nature and altitude of the forest. So get shoes that have good ankle support (the ones that come above the ankle bone).
• Take a light jumper and lightweight breathable waterproof jacket/trousers as temperature is variable and weather conditions can change
• Lightweight long wool socks which are comfortable for a mountain tropical forest
• A few long-sleeved shirts/trousers. Please ensure that you trek in your long sleeved trousers/shirts to avoid insects such as safari ants entering your trousers.
• Sweater for cool evenings and chilly mornings due to nature and altitude of the place
• Bush hat with a brim for sun protection. Please carry a hat to protect you from the strong sun rays if it is hot.
• You may also need to carry some Sunglasses too with neck strap
• Sun cream is also necessary
  Video/photo camera, extra lenses and Reserve batteries. Photography is an important component of your safari and make sure that you have your camera ready, charge your batteries very well and if necessary, carry extra batteries as you will need to take many photographs in the one hour you will have with the gorillas.
• Films and torch-LED models are light weight and have a good battery life
• Insect repellants to protect you from Mosquito bites as Bwindi is a tropical forest so many insects are accommodated there in.
• Garden gloves that will protect you from germs and other items that may scratch your hands.
• Binoculars. Don’t forget that you are on safari and you want to have clear views of everything so during your trek in search for the rare mountain gorillas, you will have a chance to spot some other wildlife species like birds, primates and large mammals
• A glove to grip vegetation and it’s also best to have different layers of clothes since the temperatures tend to change.
• Energy Giving snacks. Gorilla trekking can take from 30 minutes to eight or so hours and that’s why a certain level of fitness is required. To add on that, we advise that you carry some energy giving snacks as supplements and lots of drinking water as you never know when you will return.
• Hiring a Porters for your gorilla safari is a top tip -You will need a porter to give you a push on the way to the gorillas as trekking/hiking can take some time. You will pay some fee to a porter but it is worth it.