THE VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA

THE VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK - RWANDA'S WILDLIFE 

Volcanoes National Park is a spectacular national park that inhabits one of the endangered and most sought after mountain gorillas. At the corner of Rwanda in the north-western region lies a breath-taking unforgettable place where you can find an intersection of adventure, culture and conservation.

The “Parc National de Volcans” also known by the locals as PNV repose along the Virunga chain of mountains, with prehistoric Volcanoes which are allotted among the countries of Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Just a 2 hour drive from Kigali the capital of Rwanda you can access this park which is centrally located for one to explore some of the manifestly Rwandan experiences. While a visit to the mountain gorillas is often at the peak of every traveller, the perceptible landscape also renders a thrilling hiking and visit to the engrossing golden monkeys.

The volcanoes national park is also one of Rwanda’s prime conservation sites, where most non-profit organizations use as a base for their operations. Visitors can pay homage to a fabled scientist and gorilla advocate Dian Fossey with a hike to visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund that sustained her legacy of research and advocacy up to date. Near the park, the scamper and lively markets of Musanze are a locale to immerse yourself into the everyday Rwandan culture. You can also go deep into the planet with Musanze caves which is one of the area’s newest attractions.

The activities carried out in the volcanoes national park include primate trekking and hiking which involves trekking the endangered mountain gorillas, the inclinations of the Virunga volcanoes gives you a supernatural experience as you hike through the mountain forest to episode these gentle creatures as you assemble your way through the bamboo forest to find the delightful Golden monkey.

Also obtainable is the “Dian Fossey Tomb Trail”-a prepossessing though challenging walk to the 3,000m up to the slopes of Mount Bisoke or hike to the alluring Ngezi Crater Lake at the summit.

Hiking through the Rwanda’s caves dated back over 65 million years ago and recline within the volcanic region where lava flow layer long ago that led to the creation of the Albertine Rift. These caves proffer an easy hiking of 2 kms distance and renders a brilliant visibility of a spurt lights from the surface, distinctive rock formations and a protectorate of bats.

Visiting the Buhanga Eco-Park, despite its small expanse, this tranquil forest packs a great deal of both biological and cultural significance. The meditative trails cross through the sky-high tress which is a home to a diversity of birds and butterfly species.The location is assembled on a historic sacred site that was used for coronation rituals of Rwandan kings.

Visiting the Iby’lwacu Cultural village, that is located at the exterior of the park. This museum highlights the living aspects of the traditional Rwanda society. While at this place, a visitor should expect to be greeted with a deafening drumming, joyful dancing and the kind of hospitality that has profuse Rwandan society for centuries. The village attributes activities related to the rituals and ways of life of the ancient Rwandan kingdom.

The volcanoes national park has got 10 gorilla families which have been habituated, therefore these gorillas do not leave in the same patch hence requires one to do some trekking before spending a sensational 1 hour with them. They usually climb to the higher elevation of the mountain during the dry season, to look for food. Some of the gorilla families in the volcanoes national park include; Amahoro, Sabinyo, Agashya, the Karisimbi group, Kiwitonda group, Hirwa, Bwenge and Ugenda group, and others.