Overview
Volcanoes National Park is one of Rwanda’s 4 national parks and the only one for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is next to Akagera National Park located in the northwestern part of Rwanda in Ruhengeri District. It is a strategic location for 5 of the 8 Virunga volcanic mountains in Volcanoes National Park.
The 5 Virunga volcanic mountains in Volcanoes National Park were anciently active volcanoes believed to have erupted way back. They are extinct of date and those that have never been evidenced erupting are ranked dormant as they show no signs of eruption. All these include Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhavura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo.
Mount Karisimbi
Mount Karisimbi at 4507 meters above sea level, is the highest of all the Virunga volcanic mountains and in Volcanoes National Park. Mount Karisimbi is a stratovolcano forming a border between Rwanda in the west and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The name “Karisimbi” as given to Mount Karisimbi was derived from a Kinyarwanda word “Amasimbi” meaning “white shell” since the mountain has a white summit in the form of a shell. Travelers visit Mount Karisimbi for gorilla trekking and mountain hiking for views of several bird species.
Mount Bisoke
Mount Bisoke was formed by the tectonic plates splitting and rising to high altitudes of around 3,711 meters above sea level, causing the stratovolcano of Mount Bisoke. The mountain is believed to have erupted twice in 1891 and 1957, after which it became extinct. Mount Bisoke has rich bamboo forests and vegetation that provide food and shelter for the mountain gorillas, making gorilla trekking fit in Mount Bisoke of Volcanoes National Park.
Mount Muhavura
Mount Muhavura is located in the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, creating a border between Rwanda and Uganda. Mount Muhavura is the third highest of the 8 Virunga volcanic mountains at 4127 meters above sea level. It is also a stratovolcano, believed to be dormant at the moment. The Crater Lake at the Top of Mount Muhavura is the only evidence proving that the mountain might have erupted in the past however, the time remains unclear to the archaeologists.
Mount Gahinga
Mount Gahinga lies between Mount Muhavura and Mount Sabyinyo, bordering Uganda northeast of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The name “Gahinga” was generated from a Kinyarwanda word that means piles of “stones”. The Mountain is extinct, rising to 3,474 meters above sea level, and is the youngest of all the Virunga volcanoes.
Mount Sabyinyo
Mount Sabyinyo is the oldest of all the Virunga Massif volcanoes and is unique with 3 summits rising at 3,423 meters, 3,537 meters, and 3,669 meters height above sea level. Mountain Sabyinyo derives its name from a Kinyarwanda word “Sabyinyo” meaning “Old man’s tooth”. Mount Sabyinyo is shared by three countries, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, however, it is more accessible in Uganda.
When is the best time to visit Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park is a land of a thousand hills, with well-grown bamboo and rainforest zones habiting the magnificent mountain gorillas. All the mountains in Volcanoes National Park are preferable in the dry season running from June to mid-September, December to February. This is when all the slopes are navigable with short grass and warm temperatures making hiking less tiresome.
Rwanda is welcoming and the cleanest of all the African countries, so interesting to visit while on safari to enjoy the spectacular beauty of Africa as wildlife coordinates with the world. Volcanoes National Park hosts over 178 bird species, golden monkeys, elephants, black-fronted duiker, buffaloes, and spotted hyenas among others open safari.
The gorilla trekking permits cost USD 1500 for each foreign non-resident, USD 500 for each foreign resident, and USD 200 for each East African citizen. The Golden Monkey permits cost USD 100 for each foreign non-resident, USD 65 for each foreign resident, and RWF 4,000 for the citizens of Rwanda.
