/destinations/rwanda/volcanoes-national-park/
At a Glance
Volcanoes National Park protects Rwanda's share of the Virunga volcanic range, a chain of forested peaks straddling the Rwanda-Uganda-DRC borders. It holds several habituated mountain gorilla families and sits roughly two to three hours by road from Kigali — the shortest journey to mountain gorillas anywhere in Africa.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Trekking groups are small and permit numbers strictly limited. Trackers locate the assigned family ahead of the day's trek, and visitor contact time with the group is capped — commonly around an hour — to limit stress and disease transmission risk to the gorillas.
Golden Monkey Trekking
The park also holds habituated groups of golden monkey, an endangered primate found only in the Virunga range. A golden monkey trek is generally shorter and less strenuous than a gorilla trek, and pairs well as a second-day activity.
Dian Fossey's Legacy
The park is where Dian Fossey conducted her long-running mountain gorilla research from the late 1960s. A hike to the Karisoke research camp site and her grave is available for travellers with an interest in that history and the fitness for a demanding walk.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round, with generally easier trail conditions in the drier months of June to September and December to February.
Where to Stay
A cluster of high-end lodges sits close to the park headquarters at Kinigi, ranging from established luxury lodges to newer design-led properties.