Volcanoes National Park holidays

What can you find in Volcanoes National Park that you won't find anywhere else?

As one of only three places in the world to see endangered mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park holidays are a truly special once-in-a-lifetime experience. According to the most recent census, only around 1,063 mountain gorillas remain in the wild, with more than half found in the Virunga Mountains. The volcanic range runs along the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park – thought to be the oldest national park on the continent – encompasses five of the eight volcanoes within the range. The park contains a vast variety of other landscapes, such as bamboo and evergreen forests, grassland and swamps, along with the dramatic volcanic terrain and striking mountain backdrops.

As well as mountain gorillas, the park is also home to rare and endangered Golden Monkeys, which can be seen swinging from tree to tree in the dense forest canopy overhead. Located where the great East African rift meets the Virunga volcano region and with Lake Kivu nearby, a variety of birds flock to the area, and more than 200 species call the park home. While gorilla trekking will likely form the centrepiece of your stay, Volcanoes National Park holidays can also include birding safaris, visits to Kigali – Rwanda’s historic capital – and a tour of the Karisoke Research Centre, established by researcher and conservationist Dian Fossey.