Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park blankets the slopes of the Virunga Mountains where they straddle the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It’s home to one of the last remaining colonies of mountain gorillas in Africa and was where Dian Fossey conducted her influential research projects, making it a hub of gorillas tourism on the continent. 

Experienced guides and armed scouts lead visitors through its evergreen forests, which are surrounded by open grasslands, swamp and heath. Aside from coming face-to-face with mountain gorillas, the forest provides habitat for endangered golden monkeys who feast on the healthy groves of bamboo. More than 170 bird species have been recorded in the park, together with several other mammals that include spotted hyenas.

Gorilla tourism is supporting vital projects to ensure the long-term survival of the species, with strictly capped visitor numbers and limited time spent with the animals to avoid any negative consequences that could arise from human interaction. Trekking to see the mountain gorillas of Rwanda is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a “bucket list” add-on for travellers wanting to craft the best safari in Africa. 
 

Want to meet the mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park? Check out our Rwanda safari packages below.