Ten other things to do at Volcanoes besides gorillas

Land of thousand hills as it is best known due to its unique landscape that is made up of hills, Rwanda is a must go to place for the tourists interested in visiting Africa. The country has positioned itself as a go to tourist destination in Africa. This has been made possible through partnering with football giant clubs like arsenal in England. Together with PSG in France and Bayern Munich in Germany.

Football super star has visited the country as the part of the partnership Rwanda has with these clubs to promote her tourism. Some of the superstar that has visited the country include Ashraf Hakimi of PSG. David Luiz, William Saliba and Theo Walcot from arsenal and many more super stars that has opened Rwanda to the world.

Of many tourism activities the country is promoting, gorilla trekking at Volcanoes National Park is the highlight of Rwanda tourism. However, besides gorilla trekking, Volcanoes has also got several activities that can be done at the park. These activities come at a relatively low costs compared to mountain gorilla trekking.

In this ultimate guide, we have identified and explained ten other activities that can be done at volcanoes national park which are not gorilla trekking. Read through to enhance your volcanoes national park experience.

Golden Monkey trekking at Volcanoes National Park

It is not only Mountain gorilla that are endangered in Volcanoes National Park. Also, Golden Monkeys are another endangered species that is found at the park. This rare species can only be found in the mountains of Virunga massif. With the help of experienced tracker. You will be able to meet these jolly creatures within their natural habitats at Volcanoes national park.

Trekking golden monkey goes for 100 dollars and the payment is done at Rwanda Development Border. The board is responsible for the issuance of the permit to allow you to participate in this activity.

Hiking Mount Bisoke at Volcanoes National Park

Bisoke is located on Rwanda/ DRC border and found on the side of Rwanda. It is 3711 meters above the sea lever. With a crater lake on the top of the hill. You might also have a chance to encounter Gorillas and golden monkey during the hike. these endangered creatures inhabit from within this area of the park. Reach the top of the mountain will fill you with the breathtaking view of crater lake that dominate its peak.

Other than that, you will be able to view the beautiful hilly Rwanda landscape from the top of the mountain. This hike will take you 4 hours to go to the top and 2 hours to come back. This makes it possible to be done by both armature and experienced hiker.

The activity will cost you 75 dollars but that will not include the porter. If you need the porter, you will also need to pay extra 10 dollars for one.

Dian Fossey Grave Site at Volcanoes National Park

Diana Fossey famous for studying and protecting mountain gorillas from her young age. She was the first human to make gorillas get used to the human being. Diana also fought several wars with gorilla poachers. All in name of protecting the unique creatures which was at the point of extinct at the time.

She managed to save them from extinct and even though she was killed with brutality her legacy and effort still lives to date. Hiking to Diana Fossey Grave will take you between 2 to 3 hours. The cost of the permit to hike Diana Fossey Grave will cost you 75 dollars but not including the cost of the porter (porter cost is 10 dollars)

Cultural Experiences at Volcanoes National Park

Yes, you can also visit the surrounding park community and engage with them to learn on how they go about their lives with the assistance of an experienced guide. Visiting local community will not only enrich your experience toward volcanoes national park but it will also contribute towards the community. It is an opportunity to connect with people and also learn the social diversity of the Rwanda local people

Bird Watching at Volcanoes National Park

Unique bird at National Park

For bird lover, volcanoes national park offers you an opportunity to view over 200 bird species that are natives of the park. Therefore, on top of gorillas this is another activity that do make the park a famous destination.

Some of the birds that can be found at the park include Kivu ground thrush, Lagden’s bush-shrike as well as the African green broadbill. The activity is led by experience bird guide who will feed you with all the necessary information about the different bird species you will encounter.

Gorilla guardian village at Volcanoes National Park

Also known as iby’lwacu cultural village which means ‘the treasure of our home’ is found near Volcanoes national park in Nyabigoma, Kinigi and Musanze district. The village will offer you a chance to meet local people from their environment and learn about their everyday life. The village are devided into different site each offering a different experience. These include the king’s house replica where the story about the tradition kings is told. The different dance categories that are specific to a particular group of people. The dances are divided into categories of male, female and youth.

The dance types are intore dance, ibyivigo dance, ikembe dance and more. Beside dance, you will also be able to see how traditional medicine is made. then listen to the gorilla songs sung by the local community.

Community walks near Volcanoes National Park

Community walk is another activity that will bring you closer to the people leaving around Volcanoes National Park. It will allow you to meet Rwandese within their well-preserved natural inhabitant and enable you to understand how they go about their everyday life. Some of the activities that you can engage in during this walk are visiting schools, visiting tradition healers, visiting king’s replica and many more.

Elina DeGennaro’s campus

This is a newly established facility constructed in the memory of Diana Fossey. She did a great job in ensuring that mountain gorillas are preserved from getting extinct. The place was constructed to be used by the researchers and educationalist. Plus, tourists to ensure the continuity of Diana’s work. It was 90% built using local materials and it is an echo friendly facility sitting at 12+ square acres of land near Volcanoes national park. Adventuring the facility will cost you only 20 dollars that will be used to further support the work of Diana Fossey.

Karisimbi hike at Volcanoes National Park

Karisimbi is one of the 8 mountains that makes up Virunga massif. It is the highest mountain at Virunga massif and the 8th highest peak across the whole of Africa. The volcano stands at the elevation of 4507meters above sea level. The volcano is one of the several wonders that Rwanda boosts about. Make sure to add it to your bucket list of Rwanda adventure that you are planning to do once you visit the country of thousand hills.

Hiking Mountain Karisimbi is a 2-day activity which is surely challenging but with the great experience which makes a worthy activity to do. The cost of hiking this volcano is 400 dollar for the individual hikers and 300 dollars when you come as a group

Sabinyo hike at Volcanoes National Park

Mount Sabyinyo is 12,037 feet high with a summit that acts as a boundary/border for three countries. Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hiking this mountain will give you a chance to encounter various wildlife, birds and gorillas. It will also come with the opportunity of standing in 3 different countries at the same time. Sabinyo offers one of the most challenging hikes among the eight mountains in Virunga range

Hiking mount sabinyo is an 8 hour/ one day activity. That is for hour spent moving up and four are for coming down. Hiking Sebinyo can only be done from the Ugandan side of the mountain. As it is very challenging to do it from Congo and Rwanda side. The cost of climbing this mountain is 80 dollars. This exclude the cost of hiring a porter (the porters are always available at 10 dollars)

conclusion

Even though volcanoes national park is most famous for the gorilla trekking. It is not the only activity that happen to the park. visitors of the park can have other standout activities they can engage in. Either by combining the with the gorilla trekking or doing them as a stand-alone activity. These activities range from mountain hiking to community visits which will give visitors different experiences but all worthy testing.

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