Golden Monkey Tracking; Besides Mountain gorilla trekking, Volcanoes National Park also offers an interesting golden monkey tracking encounter. The golden Monkeys are rare and endangered species that thrive in the range of Virunga. Tracking golden monkeys involves assembling at the park headquarters Kinigi to commence on this activity at 8am local time and since they dwell in the bamboo forest of the Volcanoes, tracking them involves traversing the lower layers of the jungle involving relative hikes. The activity tends to take 4 hours and by midday the trekkers are already back from the activity.

Birding; Volcanoes National Park contains 178 species of birds thus forming good ground for birding activity. Birders can encounter the following bird species among others; Rwenzori turaco, Archer’s ground robin, dusky crimson-wing, francolins, red-faced woodland warbler, Rwenzori double collared sunbird, strange weaver, Rwenzori batis, and the collared apalis.

Twin Lakes Walk; The twin lakes walk takes you to the twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo with great sights of Russumo falls. The twin lakes walk takes you through a valley where the waterfalls mark its end. The activity also offer birding opportunities with encounters of Long crested Eagle, African Marsh Harrier, Stonechat, Grey-throated tit, Cinnamon-breasted Bee-eater, Paradise Fly catchers and Common Moorhen. The activity is 3 – 4 hours and is best done in the morning. The afternoon offers a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Ruhondo stretching for approximately 1.5 hours.

Lake Ngezi Hike; Lake Ngezi is a small crater on the foothills of Mount Bisoke one of the eight volcanoes that mark the Virunga massif. The hike offers impressive scenic views and lasts 3 – 4 hours. You go along with the park ranger for protection and guidance. Lake Ngezi is also a bird habitat thus you can have opportunity to spot birds like Grauer’s swamp warbler and monkey species. The encounter also exposes you to the sights of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Caves Walk; The caves are found in Musaze dating back to the ancient times with great historical attachment which makes it worth to encounter on Rwanda safari tour. The caves are millions of years old and in the pre-colonial Rwanda they were used as a refugee places for the King in times of war and storage for the supplies. They have unique natural build that resembles ancient Romanic cathedrals. The serene environment in the interior of these caves is only intercepted by water drops that hit the ground from the cave roof. The caves walk is ideally done in the afternoon and can be incorporated in your gorilla tracking safari in Rwanda.

Buhanga Sacred Forest Nature walks; The Buhanga Sacred Forest is a small forest that is situated on a hill with great cultural and historical attachment to the people of Rwanda. It is noted that the Kings of Rwanda would bath in the waters of this forest before their coronation which in turn prompted people to desist from cutting trees or farming with in this forest environs regarding it as sacred. The local traditions have it that Buhanga forest tends to alter its colours in various seasons of the year. The encounter with this forest can be done in the morning and in the afternoon. The tress in this forest support counts of birds, and butterflies. The lava stone designed network of trails takes you to various viewing platforms allowing Rwanda safari undertakers to explore the forest in detail.

Hiking Bisoke Volcano; Mount Bisoke is 3,711m and offers a one day mountain climbing adventure in Volcanoes National Park. The Mount Bisoke climb commences at 7am and takes 7 hours round trip. The hike takes you through impressive flora and amazing scenic views including the views of Lake Ngezi. Climbing Bisoke is not so strenuous and can be ideal for first time climbers.

Hiking the Dian Fossey Grave; The American Primatologist Dian Fossey is celebrated for her great works towards the Mountain gorilla conservation. After her death in 1985, she was buried at her research station Karisoke where body lies alongside that of her most loved silverback Digit. Visiting her grave is considered as an ethical encounter to commemorate her gorilla conservation efforts while on gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.

How to Get to Volcanoes National Park

How to get there

From the nearest town Homa Bay, use the main Homa Bay- Rongo highway for about 10km, turn right at Rodi Kompany and drive 20kms to Mirogi where you will see signs directing you to Kamato gate-the park`s main gate which is also 12km on a dirt road from Mirogi.

By Air; In Homa bay town, there is Kabunde airstrip and airlines like fly sax operate scheduled flights.

Karisimbi Family (Susa-B Family); The Karisimbi or Susa B gorilla family separated from the Susa A family and it dwells in the slopes of Karisimbi Volcano. The gorilla family comprises of 15 members and prefer the higher slopes of Karsimbi Mountain which is the highest of all the eight Virunga Volcanoes. Due to this, trekking Karisimbi group requires a relative degree of physical fitness as it dwells on raised altitude.

Sabyinyo Family; The Sabyinyo gorilla family comprises of 9 individuals including 2 Silverbacks. It is among the easily accessed gorilla families while undertaking gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Guhonda is the dominant silverback and this gorilla family dwells along the gentle slopes of Sabyinyo and Gahinga mountains.

Amahoro Family; Amahoro gorilla family derives its name from the local word Amahoro which translates to peace in English. The gorilla family has a reserved silverback called Ubumwe and it comprises of 17 members. The group dwells on raised altitude thus require a relative steep climb while of gorilla tracking safari in Rwanda.

Hirwa Family; Hirwa gorilla family comprises of 12 members including 1 silverback. Hirwa which translates as lucky one was formed with amalgamation of members from group 13, Sabyinyo and other gorillas. The gorilla family was unwrapped for trekking in 2006.

Kwitonda Family; Kwitonda gorilla family comprises of 18 individuals including 2 silverbacks. Kwitonda gorilla family likes moving to Democratic Republic of Congo and the dominant silverback is called Kwitonda which literally translates as the humble one.

Umubano Family; The Umubano gorilla family separated from Amahoro gorilla group and its dominant silverback is called Charles. Ubumwe and Charles disagreed leading to several fights that culminated into separation. The Umubano gorilla family contain 9 members including 1 silverback.

Susa – A Family; The Susa – A family contains 28 members including 3 Silverbacks. This was the largest gorilla family with 42 individuals and due to this, it pulled the interest of Dian Fossey regarding gorilla studies. The gorilla family later separated into two groups and it derives its name from River Susa where it was first sighted. The group has two young twins namely Impano and Byishimo who are so playful and jumpy that makes the Susa A group thrilling to trek while on Rwanda gorilla trekking safari.

Group 13 (Agashya Family); The Agashya gorilla family was formerly referred to as group 13 because at the time of habituation the group had 13 members. Apparently, the Agashya gorilla family has 25 members and the dominant silverback is called Agashya which is famously known for protecting the gorilla family members from attacks. He even takes them to the top of the mountain in case of big danger. He succeeded Nyakirima silverback.

Bwenge Family; Bwenge gorilla family comprises of 11 individuals including 1 Silverback. The group dwells in the Karisoke Volcano slopes and its dominant silverback is called Bwenge who established the group in 2007. The Bwenge gorilla family went through trying moments after losing 6 infants though it has started to recover following two positive births. Trekking the Bwenge gorilla family involves hiking 600m that in turn makes it challenging to trek while on gorilla tracking safari in Rwanda.

Ugenda Family; The Ugenda gorilla family thrives in the region of Karisimbi. The gorilla family has 11 gorillas including 2 silverbacks. The gorilla family tends to move from area to area justifying its name Ugenda which means being on the move. This prolongs its trekking duration while on gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.