Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is at almost 15,000 feet covered with rich green rainforest in the Virunga Massif. Volcanoes National Park was named after the chain of dormant volcanoes making up the Virunga Massif: Karisimbi – the highest at 4,507m, Bisoke with its verdant crater lake, Sabinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura.

Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range of the endangered mountain gorilla and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath. Mountain Gorilla Trekking is the most fascinating activity, with over 40 gorilla permits issued each day, a maximum of  8 people are allowed to visit each of the habituated gorilla groups alongside the endemic golden monkeys living in this park.

Uganda and Rwanda offer the best destinations for Gorilla Safaris in Africa. Gorilla tourism is very important to these two countries and they do their best to maintain a safe environment so that their tourism industries can flourish.

There is a set of rules and guidelines to follow when you go gorilla trekking, for safety purposes the gorillas that are tracked and visited have been habituated to tolerate human presence.

Vegetation and Wildlife in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park comprises distinctive vegetation zones located in areas or varying elevations. These have different plant species unique to the area. From 2400-2500mters above sea level, there exists the lower montane forest which mostly includes pristine farmlands. From 2600 – 3200 meters, there thrives a Neoboutonia forest and Bamboo forest which forms only 30% of vegetation in this altitude,  followed by Hagenia woodland, and then Hypericum zone exists. At 3500 to 4200m there is Lobelia zone and from 4300-4500m there is a thicket, mashes and non woody plants (grassland).

Alongside the mountain gorillas, the park is home to various animals  including, Forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, duikers, spotted hyenas, bush-bucks and several primates.

Mountain Gorillas

Volcanoes National park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas, the Park has 10 habituated families of these endangered species of gorillas for tourists to visit. Tracking the Mountain Gorillas is an adventurous and a memorable opportunity that leaves reminiscences of the entire expedition. A face to face encounter with these Giant Apes is such a wonderful and exciting moment .

Gorilla Groups in Volcanoes National Park

There are several gorilla families in volcanoes national park, to track gorillas, you need to purchase a gorilla permit before embarking on this experience. Each gorilla group is given a name depending on different circumstances and is led by a silverback.

Amahoro gorilla group – Amahoro means “peaceful” and is led by the calm Ubumwe. The group mainly resides uphill which requires you to endure a steep climb to eventually come into its territory but as always, the climb is worth it.

Hirwa gorilla group emerged from different existing gorilla families including Group 13, Susa and Sabyinyo. Munyinya the silverback after leaving Susa with 2 females,  got others along the way and eventually formed a group.

Sabyinyo gorilla group is lead by Guhonda, named after one of the volcanoes – Mt Sabyinyo. The members within this family are generally fewer but is an impressive family. This group is closest to the park headquarters, if you are weary of tracking long distances, this is the group to request if available.

Kwitonda gorilla group is led by silverback Kwitonda and the name is translated “humble one”. This gorilla group migrated from Democratic Republic of Congo and settled ‘permanently’ in Rwanda. It is moderately difficult to trek because it ranges far in the  upper slopes of Mt Muhabura.

Group 13 / Agashya gorilla group  had only 13 members during habituation hence its name. Currently it has a membership of approximately 25 members and is led by silverback Agashya which explains the name change.

Umubano gorilla group is led by silverback Charles who broke off from Amahoro gorilla group with some females to form Umubano. The name Umubano is translated ‘living together’.

Ugenda gorilla group was named after its unique behavior of roaming from place to place around the Karisimbi area, come ready to hike this volcano as you follow this gorilla group.

Susa (A) gorilla group is the largest gorilla group in the park with 41 gorillas and is the group which was studied by Dian Fossey. The group is known for having the rare twins named Byishimo and Impano. This family ranges in the high mountains making it difficult to trek, but rewards you with its size on sighting it.

Karisimbi / Susa – B gorilla group split from the original Susa (A) group and has 2 silverbacks. This group is one of the hardest to trek, residing on the upper slopes of Mt Karisimbi. It is best for seasoned hikers who enjoy the hiking experience as much as sighting the gorillas.

Titus gorilla group was named after silverback Titus which was born during the days of Dian Fossey’ research at Karisoke.

Bwenge gorilla group was formed by silverback Bwenge after breaking away with females from other groups. Bwenge is translated ‘Wisdom’. The group occupies mainly the slopes between Karisimbi and Bisoke mountains.

Birds of Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes national park is home to over 200 bird species with a number of Albertine rift endemics for bird watching enthusiasts to enjoy. Birding is the next best thing to do in this park after mountain gorilla tracking and golden monkey trekking. Some of the species to look out for include, Grauer’s rush warbler, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori double –collared Sunbird, handsome francolin, strange weaver, dusky crimson-wing, collared Apalis, red-faced woodland warbler and Archer’s ground robin.