Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda’s northwest is one of the most famous wildlife destinations on earth — the setting for Dian Fossey’s gorilla research, documented in Gorillas in the Mist, and the park that continues to protect half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas alongside Uganda’s Bwindi. The dramatic landscape of the Virunga volcano chain — six volcanoes rising from 3,000 to 4,507 metres, their slopes covered in bamboo and afro-alpine moorland — makes Volcanoes NP among the most visually striking national parks in Africa. This guide covers all the logistics for a self-drive visit.
Getting to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali
Distance from Kigali: 112 km. Driving time: approximately 2 hours on excellent tarmac. The route takes you north from Kigali on the RN1 through Musanze (the gateway town). The road quality is consistently good — Rwanda’s best-maintained main highway. Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri) is a pleasant highland town with good accommodation, restaurants, and all supplies for the park visit. Most visitors overnight in Musanze or at lodges near the park headquarters at Kinigi.
The park headquarters and gorilla trekking briefing point is at Kinigi, 15 km west of Musanze on a good road. The journey from Kigali to Kinigi: approximately 2.5 hours including the Musanze approach.
Gorilla Trekking at Volcanoes NP
Permit cost: USD $1,500 per person. This is the highest gorilla trekking permit in the world — USD $700 more expensive than Uganda’s Bwindi permit (USD $800). The experience itself is identical: one habituated gorilla family, one hour in their presence, groups of maximum 8 people. The higher price reflects Rwanda’s luxury positioning and the fact that the permit revenue funds gorilla conservation and community development in the Virunga region.
Ten habituated gorilla families are available for trekking at Volcanoes NP, with permits available daily. The families range from the well-known Susa group (the family that Dian Fossey studied, currently 25+ members including twin females) to smaller families more recently habituated. Group allocation is made on the morning of the trek — you will not know which family you trek until the briefing.
Booking: Online through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) website or through a licensed operator. Book at minimum 3 months ahead for non-peak season, 6 months ahead for July–September. Carry the printed or digital permit confirmation to the Kinigi briefing point at 7am on trekking day.
Golden Monkey Trekking at Volcanoes
The golden monkey trek at Volcanoes NP costs USD $100 per person — much cheaper than the gorilla permit and offering similarly close encounters with the brilliantly coloured Cercopithecus kandti in bamboo forest at the mountain base. The golden monkey trek departs at 7am from Kinigi. Trek duration: 2–3 hours to locate the troop, then 1 hour in their presence. Two habituated golden monkey groups are available. Rwanda’s golden monkey experience is comparable to Uganda’s Mgahinga experience and worth adding if your schedule allows.
Volcano Hiking at Volcanoes NP
Five volcanoes can be climbed within the park, each requiring a permit and a guide (both booked at the RDB headquarters in Kinigi):
- Mount Bisoke (3,711m): The most popular volcano hike. A 5–6 hour return hike to a crater lake summit. Good views of the Virunga chain. USD $75 per person.
- Mount Karisimbi (4,507m): Rwanda’s highest point — a 2-day summit with camping. USD $400 per person including guide, porter, and camping equipment. For fit, experienced hikers only.
- Dian Fossey Research Site (Mount Visoke slopes): A 3-hour guided walk to the site of Fossey’s Karisoke Research Centre, her grave, and the graves of gorillas she protected. USD $75 per person. Emotionally powerful for anyone who has read Gorillas in the Mist.
Where to Stay Near Volcanoes NP
- Luxury: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest (USD $1,000+ per room), Bisate Lodge (USD $1,200+ per person), Singita Kwitonda (USD $2,000+ per person)
- Mid-range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (USD $300–$500 per room), Gorilla Heights Lodge (USD $200–$300)
- Budget: Various guesthouses in Musanze town from USD $40–$80 per room
Car Hire 4×4 Drive provides vehicles for the Kigali–Volcanoes NP circuit. Contact us for Rwanda vehicle rental.
