Volcanoes National Park

Tailor-made Volcanoes National Park Holidays

Soaring ancient peaks cloaked in emerald greenery vanish into the clouds. Lush rainforest echoes with the haunting cries and calls of rare golden monkeys and countless birds. And somewhere in this awe-inspiring, prelapsarian setting are some of the last remaining mountain gorillas in the world. In the circumstances, it’s no surprise that Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s dazzling headline act; indeed, for many, this 62-square-mile pocket paradise in the country’s north-west is Rwanda.

Trekking through stunning-if-challenging terrain to spend a precious hour within sniffing distance of a troop of our primate cousins is the dream that will lure you here, but there’s so much more to savour. One day you could be making a pilgrimage to the forest base where primatologist Dian Fossey carried out her vital research and where she’s buried, the next plunging underground through volcanic caves formed 62 million years ago. And when you’ve done that, you can learn from the local villagers what it’s like to live here or sit out under a night sky so laden with stars it’s a miracle it doesn’t collapse under the weight.

Let our in-the-know Rwanda specialists help you put a tick on your bucket list by sorting out everything from the perfect lodge to the most authentic local treks and tours.

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Things to do in Volcanoes National Park

Stay in a wildlife-focused lodge like Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge when you take a tailor-made trip with Alfred&

Gorilla treks and volcano views at Wilderness Sabyinyo

— by Natasha and Nico

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Volcanoes National Park

Volcano views from Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Take a walk through nature at Wilderness Sabyinyo

— by Natasha and Nico

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Trips to take

Volcanoes National Park

Trek the Dian Fossey Trail

— by Natasha and Nico

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Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla's Nest: a treehouse retreat in Rwanda’s gorilla country

— by Theunie Marais

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Unwind

Wildlife

Volcanoes National Park

In Volcanoes National Park, kingdom of the mountain gorillas

— by Vicki Bramley

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Volcanoes National Park

Why it’s good to have a porter for your gorilla trek

— by Vicki Bramley

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Volcanoes National Park

See more things to do in Volcanoes National Park

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Vicki, who's travelled extensively in Rwanda. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the guides who track mountain gorillas day and night to ensure you get the best sightings, the Kigalians who'll give you a real insight into their vibrant city and the coffee-growers who'll tutor you in the art of tasting.

Vicki Bramley

Sales Manager for Alfred&

There are spectacular views everywhere you go in Rwanda, which is one of the things that has made Vicki Bramley such a fan. She’ll never forget her two-hour trek up the side of an extinct volcano to see mountain gorillas in the wild but thinks you’ll be just as amazed and delighted by the country’s other national parks.
Alissa Ruxin

Founder and CEO of Heaven Holdings Ltd

San Franciscan Alissa Ruxin moved to Rwanda on her honeymoon in 2005 and never left. Three years later, inspired by her foodie upbringing, she founded Heaven, a restaurant and hospitality training facility which has helped more than 1,500 Rwandans to date. Over the years, the Heaven portfolio has expanded to include hotels, restaurants, tours and experiences, a journey partly documented in husband Josh’s book, A Thousand Hills to Heaven.
Ian Munyankindi

Tourism and Hospitality Manager at Akagera National Park

Rwandan-born Ian Munyankindi has been with African Parks since 2012. Prior to this, he gained his hospitality expertise in some of Rwanda’s best hotels and worked as a freelance guide. He joined the Akagera team as manager of Ruzizi Tented Lodge and has worked his way up to Tourism and Hospitality Manager. Ian’s passion for wildlife ensures that guests depart with a deep appreciation of the beauty of Akagera National Park – which he jokingly refers to as his wife!
Protais Niyigaba

Nyungwe Park Manager and CEO

Born in one of the districts bordering Nyungwe, Protais Niyigaba grew up with a passion for conservation. Since completing his MSc in Biodiversity Conservation from the University of Rwanda, he has undertaken various roles in his field. He joined Nyungwe Management Company in June 2021 as Park Manager, having previously been a guide and nature interpreter there. A keen birder and botanist, he enjoys working and living in his favourite environment and being paid for doing what he loves.
Micheline Habineza

Director of Operations for Question Coffee

As Question Coffee's Director of Operations, Micheline Habineza oversees, manages and grows multiple areas of the social enterprise, including the Academy, Café, Wholesale, Roasting and Quality Control. She joined the company as a Wholesale Account Coordinator in 2016, before taking on the position of Retail Operations Manager. Prior to that, she spent three-and-a-half years with the international in-flight catering company ASL Rwanda EPZE in Kigali as their customer liaison.
Marie Aimee Umugeni

Managing director of Umutima Cooperative at Nyamirambo Women’s Center

Marie Aimee Umugeni is one of the co-founders of the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre in Kigali, which was set up in 2007 to provide support to local women. It offers literacy and computer classes and teaches tailoring, enabling participants to work at the centre producing items for its Umutima Cooperative, of which Marie Aimee is managing director.