Overview

Rwanda is known as Le Pay des Milles collies (the land of a Thousand Hills) for the endless mountains more majestic than the peaks of the Virunga volcanoes in the far northwest of the country, forming a natural boundary with Congo(Zaire)and Uganda. Rwanda shares much of the flora and fauna of its large neighbor in the region, Due to its small size Rwanda only has a small set-up of national Parks. The most popular protected area and the most popular visits to Rwanda is

PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS:

The Parc des Volcans protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range-home to the world's last surviving mountain Gorilla population mere 700 individuals..The park cover an area of 12,500 Hac.

Location: the Virunga Mountains, along a magnificent chain of dormant volcanoes in the north of the country, the park forms part of the extensions of the Congo-Nile divide, separating two of Africa's most important watersheds

An exhilarating trek through the cultivated foothills of the Virungas offers stirring views in all directions. Then, abruptly, the trail enters the national park, immersing trekkers in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colorful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, and littered with fresh spoor of the mountains' elusive populations of buffalo and elephant.

Wildlife: Five families of gorillas are habituated for tourist. These are:

• Susa group- the largest group with recent count of 37 due to recent twin birth.
• Amahoro groups A and B
• Sabyinyo group.
• Group 13
• Other animals including– the rare golden monkeys ( Cercopithecus mitis kandti ), Cape buffalo, black fronted duiker; a profusion of bird life including the Ruwenzori turaco, and beautiful francolins.

Access: Volcanoes National Park is located Ruhengeri 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Kigali to the Northwest of Rwanda.

To do: Apart from Gorilla tracking other activities in the vicinity of Ruhengeri and Volcanoes include:

• Visit to the grave of Dian Forsey and her gorilla Digit.
• Climbing Karisimbi 2 days.
• Climbing Bisoke 1 day.
• Tour of the lakes Burera and Ruhondo.
• Cave exploration – visit Musanze cave and the natural bridge.
• Tracking the Golden Monkey

Accommodation: Kinigi Guest House, Gorilla Nest, Muhabura Hotel, and Hotels in Gisenyi. No accommodation is available inside the park.