Volcanoes National Park covers the Rwandan slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Each morning, small permitted groups are assigned to a habituated gorilla family and walk into the forest with trackers who already know where the family slept. Treks run from under an hour to five or more depending on the family; the hour with the gorillas is fixed.
Rwanda's model is polish: excellent roads, superb lodges around Kinigi, and premium permit pricing that funds conservation and limits numbers. Golden monkey trekking, the Dian Fossey hike and Lake Kivu round out a stay.
Price a Rwanda & Uganda trip by month and style with the estimator, or see how Rwanda & Uganda compares with the other seven.
Wildlife in Volcanoes National Park
- Mountain gorilla
- Twelve habituated families; group assignment is made on the morning of the trek.
- Golden monkey
- Endemic to the Virungas; a lively second-day trek.
- Forest birds
- Albertine Rift endemics for birders.
Three ways to base yourself.
Premium lodges
Some of the finest lodges in Africa sit within minutes of the park headquarters.
Mid-range Kinigi
Comfortable and close; the practical choice for a shorter stay.
Where you sleep decides what you wake to.
Frequently asked questions
How fit do I need to be?
Reasonably. Treks range from an hour to five or more on steep, muddy, high-altitude terrain. Tell us honestly and we request an appropriate family; porters are available and worth hiring.
How far in advance for permits?
Six to twelve months for the dry-season months. Permits are limited per family per day and sell out.
Rwanda or Uganda?
Rwanda for polish and short transfers at a premium price; Uganda's Bwindi for more forest, chimpanzees nearby, and lower permit costs. The gorilla hour is the same.
Official planning sources
Baseline facts come from park authorities and destination bodies. Fees, access and operating schedules change; verify before payment.
The other regions.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda)
Ancient montane forest with more gorilla families than Rwanda and a wilder, longer-trek feel. Four sectors; choose by lo…
Chimpanzee tracking, primate diversityKibale Forest (Uganda)
The best chimpanzee tracking in Africa alongside a dozen other primate species. Pairs naturally with Bwindi.
Savanna safari, tree-climbing lions, the NileQueen Elizabeth & Murchison Falls (Uganda)
Uganda’s savanna parks: Ishasha’s tree-climbing lions, boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel and the Nile below Murchison …
Go deeper
Tell us the trip, not the region.
Month, budget, who is traveling. We will tell you whether Volcanoes National Park belongs in it — and where else in Rwanda & Uganda does.