Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park lies in the North Western part of Rwanda

. This park was the first park to be formed in Africa in the year 1929. It was conserved to mainly protect the gorillas from poachers. This park borders the Virunga National Park of Rwanda and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda. This park is the habitat to over a third of the remaining mountain gorillas. It is also home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Viruga Mountains which are covered with bamboo forest. These include; Bisoke, Muhabura, Kirisimbi, Sabyinyo and Gahinga. This park was also the base for Dian Fossey who spent twenty years here studying the gorillas. She was found murdered in her house in 1995.

The Rwandan civil war in 1992 greatly affected this park, and all the tourist headquarters were destroyed. The protection of the gorillas and also tourism in the country stopped due to insecurity. The 1994 genocide which killed millions of the Rwandan people also greatly affected the tourism industry. In 1999, the protection of the park resumed with the Rwandan Army safeguarding the country and the park. This slowly brought back security and visitors started touring the mountain gorillas though not in large numbers as they did before.

Tourist activities in this park include visiting the gorillas. This involves walking for many hours through thick forests and between rocks. There are four groups open to tourists and only 32 permits are given daily. The maximum duration of time allowed for tourists to visit the gorillas is one hour. This time also includes visiting the golden monkeys and watching the beautiful birds which are also found in this park. Game viewing here will include elephants and some buffaloes. If you are a mountain climber, this will be a good opportunity to climb Kirisimbi volcano (3,800m) which takes two days to climb. In addition, you also get to climb Bisoke volcano which takes one day of climbing. You also get to visit the Lakes Kivu, Burera and Ruhondo caves. One can also visit the tomb of Dian Fossey as they take beautiful photo photographs.

Volcano National Park has an area of 130 square kilometers and an altitude of 2,400m to 4,507m above sea level. It has an annual temperature of 9.6 degree Celsius and an annual rainfall of 1,975mm. This park is managed and protected by the Rwandan Office for Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN). The main entrance is at the busy Musanze town where you can get excellent accommodation at small hotels and guest houses at a reasonable price. In addition, another must see attraction is the natural solidified lava flow bridge at Musanze which was formed by volcanic action.

Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) Rwanda

By: Jackline Mwathe

POST COMMENT

If You Ever Wanted To Know About A Virtual-office Where Can You Find Virtual Offices? The Suez Canal Gorilla Tracking In The Bwindi National Park Enjoy Your Life, Change Your Point of View Conference Calling Rate - What Is the Best ? The Mediterranean Sea The Ngorongoro Crater - The Exiting Features That You Will See Signtronix What Is The Fbf 15 Minute Miracle Every problem has a solution - your guide to creative problem solving What Is The Fbf Program Erectile Dysfunction