Parc Nationale des Volcano, Rwanda

Parc National des Volcano, Rwanda
The park was first gazetted in 1925, as a small area bounded by Karisimbi, Bisoke and Mikeno, intended to protect the gorillas from poaching.It is situated on the steep volcanic slopes of the Virunga mountain range bordering Uganda and the Congo, the Parc National des Volcans is home to two particular primates; the mountain gorillas and the golden monkey's.

This magnificent national park is primarily known for the mountain gorillas. There is also the chance to go and visit the grave of Dian Fossey, who was the pioneer in establishing the survival of the gorillas. The former Karisoke Research Centre is a wonderful place to visit as well, to fully understand the background of this whole experience.
 
The golden monkey's are energetic little primates, are they fairly well habituated to humans but yet little is known about them. They share the same threats of the gorillas and their numbers have decreased over the years. In addition, Parc National des Volcans also has over 200 bird species as well as forest elephant and buffalo, creating a place that is a perfect experience to see the wild in their natural environment.

GORILLA TRACKING RULES

Gorilla Tracking Rules

1. Don’t use flashes while photographing
2. No person under 15 years is allowed to track gorillas
3. Do not spew out on vegetation or soil while in the park
4. No one with a communicable disease is allowed to enter the park
5. All litter must be carried out of the park and disposed off properly
6. Stay together in a tight group while with the gorillas, don’t surround the gorillas
7. Don’t eat or smoke when with the gorillas or with distance of 200 meters from the gorillas
8. A group of people is allowed maximally of 1 hour with gorillas
9. People under 15 years are not allowed to track
10. When sneezing or coughing, turn away from the gorillas; cover your mouth and nose in the process.

Don’t make at lot of noise or move suddenly

RWANDA - TRAVEL INFORMATION

Rwanda is a land of great diversity and beauty. Popularly known as ‘the land of a thousand hills’, Rwanda has six volcanoes, twenty-three lakes and numerous rivers, some forming the source of the great River Nile.
The landscapes in this green country are truly breathtaking. Many a visitor to Rwanda has remarked that the physical beauty of the country is without equal on the African continent. Spectacular volcanoes and dense tropical forests dominate the north of the country, while gentle hills and valleys, calm lakes and turbulent rivers in both savannah and dense tropical vegetation dominate the rest of the country. Rwanda boasts a wide variety of wildlife. The Parc National des Volcans, in northern Rwanda is home to the world’s largest number of endangered mountain gorillas. Numbering in the hundreds, the gorillas live in a protected area, free from poachers. The gorillas can be viewed in their natural mountain habitats at a fairly close range.