Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is home to 604 of the roughly 1,063 endangered mountain gorillas left on our planet. Established in 1925 and covering 160 km², it has five dormant volcanoes and forms Rwanda’s share of the Virunga Massif, which spans Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The base of the park sits at an elevation of 2,400m, with summit peaks ranging from 3,474m to 4,507m above sea level. Thousands of tourists visit every year in search of these magnificent and rare primates, braving the high altitude and the dirt trails that sometimes turn to extremely slippery mud.
Beyond gorilla trekking, the park offers golden monkey tracking through the bamboo forests and hiking on all five volcanoes. Mount Bisoke is the most popular climb, at 3,711m with a crater lake at its summit, while Mount Karisimbi is Rwanda’s highest peak at 4,507m. There is also the walk to Dian Fossey’s tomb at the original Karisoke site, and birdwatching with over 200 species recorded in the park.
The park is open daily, 6am to 5pm. Entrance fees are from $75 per adult (international).
All activities start at 07:00 and the last ending by 15:00. It is just a 2.5-hour drive from Kigali, and that proximity means locals and business travellers with only a day to spare can still appreciate the nature and wildlife it has to offer.
Hiking permits start at $75, with golden monkey trekking at $100 and mountain gorilla trekking at $1,500. The park gets most visitors during the dry season of June to August, and permits frequently sell out as they are booked well in advance.
Featured Volcanoes tours
Day trips from Kigali with transport, permits and a guide included. Pickup at your hotel before dawn, back in Kigali by evening.
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Choose your hike
Four volcano summits and the walk to Dian Fossey’s tomb. Every hike starts at 07:00 from the park HQ in Kinigi.
How BIG and WILD is the Virunga?
Eight volcanoes, three countries, one gorilla population
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s share of the Virunga Massif. It joins Virunga National Park in DR Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, and the gorillas cross the borders freely.
Five of the eight volcanoes rise inside Rwanda. Sabyinyo’s summit is where all three countries meet. Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira, on the Congo side, are still active.
See the toursCome in the green season
and save 30% on gorillas
The low-season deal
From November to May, a gorilla permit is 30% less if you spend at least two nights in Akagera or Nyungwe National Park first.
Book your low season discount by combining your trekking with two or more nights in Akagera. See Akagera National Park Prices.
Get 30% off your permit
Recent trip reviews
What guests said after their day in the Volcanoes.
Questions people ask
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