Rwanda, the country of thousand hills and mountains. Some of those mountains make volcano national park which is located in northwest of Rwanda, bordered by Uganda and republic of Congo. It is the oldest park in Africa and was created in 1925, at that time was called Albert National Park.
The altitudes of the park range between 2,500m up to 4,507m above sea level, it made by 5 volcanoes with green rainforest. There are 5 volcanoes namely Karisimbi volcano which is the highest with 4507m above the sea level, Bisoke volcano that has a crater lake, Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhabura as well. It is a home of different animals like the endangered Mountain gorilla, golden monkey, buffaloes, African elephants, Duikers and Different bird’s species.
Endangered Mountain gorilla tracking is the most popular activity in the park, it is one of the best experience you would like to have in your life. In the park are many gorilla families, some are meant to be visited by tourists, whereas others are reserved for research. The second is golden monkey tracking; which is a colourfully beautiful monkey.
We can’t forget other activities like nature walk and Hiking to Dian Fossey former camp; this park offer good opportunities for hike and climbing mountains like Bisoke and Karisimbi, the hiker getting the time of enjoying fresh air of the forest, panoramic view of the forest, spectacular view of crater lake at the top of Bisoke for one day, snow at the top of Karisimbi for two days, spotting animals on the way, Karisoke research center, Dian fossey tombs and gorilla graves.
Ellen DeGeneres Camps: Dian Fossey as the primatologist who managed to stay long doing scientific research and conserving mountain gorilla from 1967 up to 1985 this comps hold all information on endangered Mountain gorilla. Over 50 years of research on Mountain gorilla represent six generations as shown by gorilla family trees; Effie is the matriarch of the most successful gorilla families born in 1951, flowed by Pack in 1968, Cantsbee in 1978, Gikurasi in 1995, Shishikara in 2008, flowed by Kira. Now it is open to all tourists.
Buhanga Eco Park: is aside of Volcanoes NP, it is ancient forest that has significant meaning to Rwandan’s history and culture. Buhanga Eco Park is home of different plants including trees, shrubs and herbs that are used as traditional medicine and provide the shelter to different species of birds. Once you hike through this forest, you will explore and discover birds, colorful butterflies, ibigabiro (the tree of trinity) Showing how Rwandan are united, Cave where the new king was taken shower for being blessed, receiving kingship instruments from abiru and protections from gods (ryangombe, nyabingi). After this shower of the new king, they carried him to the podium at the top of the hill, where a ceremony titled him ‘Umwani’ ‘king’ of Rwanda take place. After this ceremony of nominating new king, was taken to Nyanza where he was supposed to stay as the king of Rwanda.
Musanze Cave exploration: in Rwanda there are many caves, more than 52 caves. This was formed over 65 million years ago due to volcanic eruption. Musanze Cave offer quite walk of 2 km long underground where you can experience 100% darkness silence with drops of water that hit the rock floor below, at the middle of the walk and on the way through the cave you spot the bats, traditional mortar which shows that, there were people who used to live inside the cave.
Culture tour: from the community around the park, ibyiwacu cultural village offers a good experience on Rwandan culture where you can be involved in different activities like traditional dancing, traditional marriage, tasting local food and local beer, hunting, cooking, comfortable night stay in King’s palace. From here you can do community walks for learning and experience how people live in the community. This tour offers a good experience and a real image of life of local people in the village.
Bird watching: if you intend to do birding in Rwanda, this park and Buhanga Eco-park will provide you a good opportunity to find more than 170 birds species in which 19 of them are endemic to the Albertine Rift valley like Regal Sunbird, handsome francolin, strange weaver, Rwenziri batis, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, etc.
Accommodation: Accommodations are available at all categories like: budget, mild-range to luxury. Rwanda is developing all categories of Accommodation are available around the park.
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