The best time of the day to visit Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

The best time of the day to visit Volcanoes National Park Rwanda : Volcanoes national park is Rwanda’s oldest and smallest national park located in the northwestern part of Rwanda in Musanze district. The park covers an area of approximately 160 square kilometers of rainforest and covers five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains such as Mount Karisimbi, mount Bisoke, mount Gahinga, mount Sabyinyo and finally mount Muhabura. Volcanoes national park borders with the Mgahinga national park in Uganda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a home to endangered amazing primates like mountain gorilla and golden monkey and was based for the primatologist Dian Fossey.

The park is also an incredible treat as it contains a variety of habitats that range from the tropical forest to Albertine rift. This biodiversity reflected in the list of over 200 bird species, the smallest protected area in Rwanda. The majority of birds that can be found in this area are regarded as famous birds in the Virunga region and a must see for birdwatchers in East Africa and African as continent as well includes; the park is a home to the elusive Rwenzori Turaco to the Grey-Chested Kakamega including Albertine rift endemics supported by different vegetation zones forming habitats for these birds as well as mammals species such as buffalos, hyenas, bushbucks among others.

What is the best time of the day to visit volcanoes national park? Well! Volcanoes national park is a must visited national park by while on Rwanda safaris, the park can be visited any time of the year, it should be noted that Rwanda is characterized by two drilling season the dry and wet seasons, and each season can fascinate and different activities in volcanoes national park pending on the travelers preferences. But the best time it visit volcanoes national park is during the dry seasons.

The dry seasons in the park goes from June to mid-September and again from December to February and this is the best time to visit volcanoes national park for those who want to trek gorillas and also do canopy walks because the trails are dry, not sleepery and are easily accessible. But since volcanoes national park has a tropical rain forest you are advised to carry a jacket just in case it rains. Hiking Volcanoes national park is much easier during dry season and game viewing is clear as most of the animals are near water sources drinking water because it’s a dry season meaning you have chances of seeing these animals joined in one place.

However, wet season in the park are times the ideal time to visit volcanoes national park specifically the birds ,the wet season in volcanoes national park runs from March to May and again from October to November and these are the rainy months in Rwanda. But these does not mean it will rain every day on your safari and if it does rain in Rwanda it rains a few hours and it shines the rest of the day not like unlike counties in west Africa. However those interested in birding this is their best time to visit Virunga national park because in this season plants are flowering attracting birds.

Attractive activates in volcanoes national park

Golden monkey trekking

Golden monkey trekking is one of the main activity that attracts a huge number of visitors in Rwanda, volcanoes national park is one of the national park in east Africa and the only national park in Rwanda where endangered golden monkeys are found. Golden monkey trekking is the unique and interesting activity offered to visitors in volcanoes national where travelers can walk in the jungles of the tropical rain forest in hunt for this fascinating primates. While in Rwanda golden monkey trekking, you will also get a chance to spot some of the most fascinating creatures that makes the forest their home like black fronted Duiker, Buffalos, spotted hyenas, and the Bushbucks and other primates species like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys as well as vegetation and different bird species.

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is the main activity carried out by every visitor who visit Rwanda for wildlife safari, mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park are captivating creature that once trekked or seen offers everlasting adventure experience. Mountain gorilla can only be seen in three national parks in Africa such as Mgahinga national park in Uganda, Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in volcanoes national park in Rwanda itself. Trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda is one of the live span adventure activities offered in volcanoes national park, trekking gorilla involves walking in the lush and verdant tropical rainforest in search for this fascinating rare mountain gorillas. While on Rwanda gorilla trekking, you will get to hike Virunga Mountains where it will lead you to the 10 gorilla groups or communities which are trekked by the tourist every day, amaze you with the attractive bird species, golden monkeys in the bamboo trees and other primates. trekking gorillas in Rwanda cost UD$ 1,500 per person of above 15 years old purchased from Rwanda Development Board and are only allowed for a maximum of 8 people per gorilla group and you are recommended to move along with hear grunts, roars, and growls and you will know you’re in the territory of a specific gorilla family among others.

Bird watching

Volcanoes National Park is needled at the edge where the West African rainforests meet the East African savanna vegetation, Virunga volcano region meets the great East African rift and Lake Kivu is just a few kilometers away from the park. All these factors attract a number of bird species for bird watching with more than 200 species recorded in the park but in a surprise 29 species are endemic to Albertine rift here. Travelers seeking to explore Rwanda birding and tours may spot a number of Albertine rift endemic bird species such as Rwenzori batis, Handsome francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Archer’s ground robin, Grauer’s rush warbler, Collared Apalis, Red-faced woodland warbler, Rwenzori double collared sunbird among others.

Getting to Volcanoes national park

Volcanoes national park is just two hours’ drive from Kigali capital city and covers a number of districts for instance Musanze, Burera, Rubavu and Nyabihu.  The park can easily be accessed through Musanze and visitors can use both public and private means. This implies it is very possible to drive from Kigali to the park and track the gorillas on the same day using private means.

Accommodation safaris in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes national park has a wide range of accommodation options ranging from budget level, maid-range and luxury level, the park also offers affordable accommodation rates to travelers while offers a tranquil views of the parks beautiful landscape such as Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Virunga Lodge, One and Only Gorilla Nest Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge among others