Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is hallowed ground for wildlife conservation — the place where Dian Fossey conducted her pioneering gorilla research from 1967 until her murder in 1985, and where her legacy lives on through the thriving gorilla population she fought to protect. The park encompasses the Rwandan portion of the Virunga Volcanoes, a chain of eight volcanic peaks straddling the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC.

Gorilla trekking here unfolds against a backdrop of extraordinary natural beauty. Trekking parties hike through terraced farmland before entering the park's bamboo zone, ascending through hagenia-hypericum woodland, and sometimes reaching the subalpine zone near the volcanic summits. The 12 habituated gorilla families range from easily accessible groups found on lower slopes to more challenging treks that reward with quieter, more intimate encounters.

The endemic golden monkey, found only in the Virunga and Gishwati forests, provides a delightful second primate tracking experience. These charismatic, playful primates inhabit the bamboo forest at lower altitudes and are typically easier to reach than the gorillas. A hike to Dian Fossey's grave and the remains of her Karisoke Research Centre adds a moving historical dimension to any visit.