Rwanda

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Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking in the Virunga volcanoes

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Volcanoes National Park Plan a trip around Rwanda

Best time to visit: Feb, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Currency: RWF
Time zone: UTC+2
Country: Rwanda

Photo: Nina R, CC BY 2.0

Volcanoes National Park protects the Rwandan slopes of the Virunga Mountains, a high-altitude rainforest of bamboo and heath that is home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Visitors come for gorilla and primate treks, volcano hikes and the legacy of Dian Fossey.

Largest cities

Kigali
Gisenyi
Butare
Musanze
Rwamagana

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Rwanda
Capital: Kigali
Population of Rwanda: 14.6M
Country area: 26,338 km²
Official language: Kinyarwanda, Swahili, English, and French
Currency: Rwandan Franc (RWF) · 1 USD ≈ 1,476 RWF
Time zone: UTC+2
Calling code: +250
Drives on the: Right
Plugs: C / J · 230V
Emergency numbers: 112 · 113 · 114
Best time to visit: Feb, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	12°	13°	13°	13°	13°	12°	13°	13°	13°	13°	12°	12°
Low	6°	6°	6°	6°	6°	5°	5°	5°	6°	6°	6°	6°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$55
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$145
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$380

Plan a trip to Volcanoes National Park

Top things to do

≈ $1,500
Mountain gorilla trekking
Trek through bamboo and rainforest to spend one hour with a habituated gorilla family; permits must be booked well in advance and you start at the park headquarters at 07:00.
- Half day
- Park headquarters (Kinigi)
≈ $100
Golden monkey trekking
A shorter, less strenuous trek to see lively golden monkeys in the bamboo forest, suitable for families and often combined with a gorilla permit.
- Half day
- Park headquarters (Kinigi)
- Good for kids
≈ $75
Dian Fossey Tomb hike
Hike to the grave of primatologist Dian Fossey at the former Karisoke Research Center, with views over the forest and a sense of the park's conservation history.
- Half day
- Mount Karisimbi area
≈ $75
Mount Bisoke hike
A full-day climb to the crater lake at the summit of Mount Bisoke, passing through bamboo and Hagenia forest; steep and muddy, so good boots and a porter help.
- Full day
- Mount Bisoke area
≈ $100
Mount Muhabura hike
A demanding full-day hike to the summit of Mount Muhabura on the Ugandan border, with panoramic views of the Virunga chain and the twin lakes below.
- Full day
- Park headquarters (Kinigi)
≈ $75
Mount Gahinga hike
A gentler half-day hike up Mount Gahinga through bamboo forest to a small crater swamp, a good option for those not doing the higher peaks.
- Half day
- Park headquarters (Kinigi)
- Good for kids
≈ $40
Buhanga Eco Park nature walk
A guided one-day nature walk in a sacred forest site with birdlife and cultural history, an easy half-day alternative to the high volcano treks.
- Half day
- Buhanga Eco Park
- Good for kids
Free
Musanze town evening
Stroll through Musanze for local restaurants, markets and views of the volcanoes at dusk; a relaxed way to settle in before an early trek.
- Half day
- Musanze town
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need a visa for Rwanda; citizens of Commonwealth countries and many other nationalities can get a free 30-day visa on arrival, while others can apply online for an e-visa before travel. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival and have one blank page, and a yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country with transmission risk. Check the latest rules on Rwanda's official immigration website before you travel.

Official website

From the airport

Most visitors fly into Kigali International Airport and drive about two to three hours on paved roads to Musanze, the gateway town near the park headquarters. The final stretch to trailheads is on rough roads and needs a 4WD vehicle.

Getting around

There is no public transport inside the park; arrange a 4WD and driver through a tour operator or guesthouse, as trailheads are reached on poor roads.

Local tips

Bring long sleeves, long trousers, waterproof hiking boots, gloves, a hat and DEET repellent; the forest is muddy, nettled and cool at altitude.
Hire a porter at the trailhead to carry your bag and support local anti-poaching efforts; tip at the end of the trek.
Book gorilla permits months ahead for peak season (June to September and December to February), as they can sell out.
Carry cash in Rwandan francs for tips, porters and small purchases; ATMs are limited outside Kigali and Musanze.

Areas worth knowing

Mount Bisoke area
Buhanga Eco Park
Musanze town
Mount Karisimbi area
Park headquarters (Kinigi)

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 4, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK