Distance from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park Headquarters.

Distance from Kigali Volcanoes National Park Headquarters, Volcanoes National Park is a popular gorilla-tracking destination located in the northwestern corner of Rwanda. The park is part of the Virunga volcanoes that are shared by Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The pristine park protects five of the eight volcanoes that make up the Virungas, including Mount Gahinga, Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Mhabura and Mount Sabinyo.

Volcanoes National Park spans an approximate coverage of 162 square kilometers (62 square miles) and acts as a basic stop center for luxury gorilla trekking in Rwanda. This park is one of the few places in the world that protects the most sought-after majestic creatures (mountain gorillas). The protection and conservation efforts of mountain gorillas in this park were spearheaded by the great primatologist Dian Fossey. This lady devoted all her life and efforts to studying the behavior of gorillas and carried out her research at the Karisoke Research Center based in Volcanoes National Park. Dian Fossey’s study lasted for 18 years until she was killed by poachers, however left a legacy and positive effect as regards mountain gorilla conservation as portrayed in the film “Gorillas in the Mist” which was shot in the Volcanoes National Park.

Visiting Volcanoes National Park is always number on many travellers’ lists as it is not only home to the mountain gorillas and many other wild creatures like golden monkeys, buffalos, bushbucks, and black-fronted duikers.   The park is made of a dense montane forest thus a favourable home for different bird species like the Rwenzori Turaco, and handsome francolins making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.

Distance from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

The distance from Kigali Rwanda’s capital to Volcanoes National Park is approximately 105 kilometers (65m) by road which is roughly a two to three-hour drive depending on the road conditions and traffic jam.   The journey from Kigali to the Volcanoes is so pleasing, visitors get exposure to the beautiful rolling hills, bustling streets, smoothly maintained roads, and the rural countryside.

Visitors to the Volcanoes National Park are required to use a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle due to the rugged montane surface, which is at times slippery, especially during the rainy season. Travellers willing to participate in the gorilla or golden monkey tracking and spend their night in Kigali, are expected to set off at 4:00 am and reach the headquarters at 7:00 am, returning to Kigali on the same day is possible as trekking takes 4 to 5 hours.

When you decide to travel using public means, you can take a taxi, bus, or cab to Musanze town. From there you will have to privately connect to the park headquarters at Kinigi. It is at this place that all activities begin after a precise briefing from the park authorities.

If you opt for a flight, book a chartered flight from Kigali International Airport to Musanze Air Strip. from Musanze connected to Kinigi for a private road transfer.

Traveling from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park exposes visitors to different popular stopovers for lunch, coffee, and cold drinks.  Busy markets are seen along the roadside where the locals sell their produce like food, fruits, crafts, and cultural exhibitions.

However, other routes can be used to access Volcanoes National Park other than from Kigali and these are:

When traveling from Uganda by road, travel from Kampala or Entebbe by passing via the Mbarara -Kabale road and connecting to Musanze via the Chanika border. This journey takes 8-9 hours, and it is 519 km. From Musanze, connect to Kinigi in less than an hour

When you use a flight, travel from Entebbe Airport to Kigali International Airport from there connect to Musanze by either air or road transport.

What to do in and around Volcanoes National Park?  

Volcanoes National Park has a variety of activities to offer to visitors. It is always the visitor to decide on which activity to participate in depending on his/ her budget. Some of the activities include:

 Mountain gorilla tracking.

This is the most attractive activity in the Volcanoes National Park.  This park occupies the largest part of the Virungas with five volcanoes. The National Park is a habitat for 12 habituated gorilla families that are readily available for daily trekking to healthy and physically fit people of fifteen years and above. Gorilla tracking permits in Rwanda cost $1500 and trekkers are offered one fruitful hour with the great apes in their natural habitat.  Great, thanks to the Rwanda Development Board for the conservation efforts.

Golden monkey tracking

Golden monkey tracking is another amazing activity that travellers to Volcanoes National Park should not miss.  Golden monkeys are only found in the Volcanoes and Maghinga National Park. Like gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking also starts with a briefing at the park headquarters, and a single trek costs $100 which is relatively cheaper than gorilla trekking.

Volcano hiking

Hiking the volcanoes is another popular activity in the volcanoes.  Hikes are always done to Dian Fossey’s tomb, a primatologist who devoted her life to mountain gorilla protection and conservation.  The grave is between Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi near the Karisoke Research Center. More hikes are made on Mount Bisoke which has a deep crater lake at the top. These hikes are lucky spots for wild animals like elephants, buffalos, and primates like gorillas and golden monkeys.  Hiking takes 7- 8 hours depending on someone’s physical fitness and the stops made along the way due to altitude.

 Nature walks

  Volcanoes National Park offers both guided and unguided nature walks to the nearby places where you get to interact with the locals.

Some of the most popular walks include a guided visit to the Ib’yiwachu Cultural Village which lies at the edge of the park. The place is home to convinced ex-poachers who later changed their minds to promote gorilla protection. They exhibit good cultural performances through music, dance, crafts, herbal medicine mixture, and the Kinyarwanda cultural history.

Another nature walk is always made to the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera which offer the best sceneries for photography and videography. You can explore the lakes on foot or by canoe.

More village walks can be made through the Nyange community where the locals take you through the true aspects of Kinyarwanda Culture and tradition. You will witness how people earn a living through ironworking, local beer brewing, weaving, carpentry, and other craft work. Visitors are advised to move with local guides for better knowledge of Kinyarwanda culture, tradition, and customs.