Volcanoes National Park
This is the best place in the world to view mountain gorillas.
What Will I See?
- Mountain gorillas
- Five lush volcanic peaks rising to 15,000 feet
- Golden monkeys
- A wide array of bird species
- Dian Fossey’s Karisoke Research Center and Memorial
- Ruhengeri – the small town at the base of the Virunga Mountains featured in the movie “Gorillas in the Mist”
What Can I Do?
- Mountain gorilla treks
- Golden monkey treks
- A visit Dian Fossey’s Karisoke Research Center and Memorial
- Hiking to the top of the volcanoes
- Trips to beautiful Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo
- Shoping at the markets in Ruhengeri
- The annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony in June
Currently there are seven mountain gorilla groups habituated to humans, with eight people trekking to see each group, for a total of fifty-six trekking permits per day. The $500 permit price is used primarily for wildlife conservation and to educate and support the people living around the Park.
