Volcanoes National Park, popular for gorilla trekking tours is also an enchanting destination for nature walk activities. A nature walk in Volcanoes National Park can be done either alone or in a group. Nature walks typically involve walking in nature sites on trails or freeform. A nature walk is to offer captivating views of wildlife and many other natural wonders.
The Ambient Volcanoes National Park in the northwest of Rwanda boasts numerous captivating trails that you can explore on foot. A guided nature walk in Volcanoes National Park costs USD 55. Nature walks in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda are only enjoyed by persons above 5 years of age.
You are required to arrive at the Visitor Information Center of Volcanoes National Park by 7 am. This is a good thing because you will be able to learn about the measures you will follow to ensure your safety as well as the environment. Then you will be guided along forest trails to enjoy the pristine ecosystem, where you will marvel at the canopy, volcanoes wildlife, etc.
What to see during a nature walk in Volcanoes National Park?
Volcanoes National Park is 160 square kilometers in size in the northwest of Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is a significant part of the Virunga Massif landscape, with Virunga and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. Volcanoes National Park is endowed with 5 out of the 8 volcanoes comprising the Virunga ranges. The volcanoes are Karisimbi, Gahinga, Bisoke, Sabyinyo and Muhabura.
In terms of biodiversity, Volcanoes National Park is among Rwanda’s powerhouses, thanks to its strategic position in the Albertine Rift region. There are plenty of wildlife species residing in this forested ecosystem. In terms of species numbers recorded, Volcanoes National Park has 115 mammals, 187 birds, 27 reptiles and amphibians, and 33 arthropods.
Mammal species seen at Volcanoes National Park include black-fronted duiker, African elephant, bushbuck, golden monkey mountain gorilla, African buffalo, olive baboon, vervet monkey, mona monkey, Angola colobus monkey, Niobe’s shrew, Babault’s mouse shrew, Tarella shrew, De Graaff’s soft-furred mouse, Rwanda Africa mole rat, and blue monkey, etc.
Bird species seen in Volcanoes National Park are regal sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, handsome francolin, collared apalis, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori nightjar, mountain masked apalis, Archer’s ground thrush, stripe breasted tit, dusky crimson-wing, Shelley’s crimson-wing, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird and numerous other Albertine endemics.
All these faunae can be found in a wide range of habitats throughout Volcanoes National Park. The habitats include pure bamboo forest, mixed bamboo forest, montane forest, brush ridge, hagenia woodland, meadows, wetland, alpine and sub-alpine plant communities. Other habitats include volcanoes, streams of water, crater lakes, and Musanze caves among others.
Other activities to do in Volcanoes National Park?
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is an adventure that involves locating a fully habituated gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park. You are led by expert trackers for a hike that takes between 30 minutes to over 4 hours, depending on the location of the family. An hour is given to you to observe the gorillas once you find the gorilla family. You are also allowed to take photos.
Golden monkey trekking
You will enjoy this guided activity of golden monkey trekking as you locate the primates in the lush bamboo forest. It is relatively easier to locate the golden monkeys since they prefer staying in the lower altitudes, unlike mountain gorillas. Similar to gorillas, you will be given an hour in their presence to watch them interact with each other and the environment.
Hiking tours
Hiking adventures offer opportunities to explore the Dian Fossey Grave, the Volcanoes Mountains of Karisimbi, Bisoke, Sabyinyo, Muhabura, etc. You can also enjoy birdwatching, cultural encounters with the Batwa Pygmies, Iby’iwacu Cultural village exploration, and visiting the Musanze caves nearby.
When to visit Volcanoes National Park for a nature walk?
The fact that Volcanoes National Park is open to visitors all year round implies that you can enjoy nature walks on virtually any day of the year. The dry season however will offer you relatively better weather conditions for your experience. Therefore, visit Volcanoes National Park in the dry season which occurs between June to August and from January to February.
The dry season is responsible for relatively low precipitation and sunny situations in Volcanoes National Park compared to the wet season. These conditions are subsequently needed to ensure that the walking trails in the forest are drier and less muddy. The vegetation is also less dense for you to walk in the forest with less challenges.
How to reach Volcanoes National Park?
A transfer to Volcanoes National Park to enjoy your nature walk is by either road or air transport means. On the road, you can start your scenic journey from Kigali (130 km), Nyungwe National Park (270 km), Akagera National Park (220 km), Lake Kivu (115 km), and Lake Bunyonyi (110 km), etc. You will reach the Volcanoes National Park headquarters at Kinigi.
You can reach the Volcanoes National Park by private means. At Standard Safaris, we offer car hire services for you. We have an assortment of well-maintained vehicles and you can choose from any of them. 4-wheel safari land cruisers, drones, minibusses for group travelers, and saloon cars are all available. Knowledgeable guides are also provided to drive you to Volcanoes National Park.
If you prefer a luxury air transfer option, helicopters are available to transport you from Kigali International Airport to Musanze Airport. This is a scheduled domestic flight that takes around 30 minutes, making your transfer much faster. With our expertise in local travel regulations, we can make the bookings and ticketing on your behalf, making your flight convenient.
