Volcanoes
Located in the Virunga Mountains, a magnificent chain of dormant
volcanoes in the north of the country, the park forms part of the
extension of the Congo-Nile Divide, separating two of Africa's most
important watersheds. They're also home to the world's last surviving
mountain gorilla population, currently a mere 700 individuals.
Special Features:
- The Virungas with five peaks - Karisimbi (4507m), Bisoke (3711m), Sabyinyo (3634m), Gahinga (3474m) and Muhabura (4127m).
- The last families of mountain Gorillas on earth.
- Other animals including - the rare golden monkeys
(Cercopithecus mitis kandti), Cape buffalo, black fronted duiker; a
profusion of bird life including the Ruwenzori turaco and beautiful
francolins.
- In the vicinity the beautiful lakes Burera and Ruhondo.
- The Virunga ecosystem is composed of 4 major
vegetation zones: Bamboo (base altitude), Hagenia and Hypericum forest
(2600-3300m), Sub-alpine (3300-4000m) and Afro-alpine (4000+m).
- Between Bisoke and Sabyinyo volcanoes lie lakes Ngezi,
Nyirambubu, Gasindikira and Muraro. Crater Lake is at the peak of
Bisoke. Visit to the lakes can be organized.
High altitude makes it generally cold, especially during the evenings. Gorilla viewing is possible all the year round.
Five families of gorillas are habituated for tourist. These are:
- Susa group - the largest group with recent count of 37 due to recent twin birth
- Amahoro group A and B
- Sabyinyo group
- Group 13
Apart from Gorilla tracking other activities in the vicinity of Ruhengeri and Volcanoes include:
- Visit to the grave of Dian Fossey and her gorilla Digit
- Climbing Karisimbi 2 days
- Climbing Bisoke 1 day
- Tour of the lakes Burera and Ruhondo
- Cave exploration - visit Musanze cave and natural bridge
- Tracking the Golden Monkey