Volcanoes National Park tours & holiday packages
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The park was made famous by the movie Gorillas in the Mist and you can still see mountain gorillas related to those Dian Fossey studied
There are only two places where you can see the endangered mountain gorilla – the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda's Virunga mountains and Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It's easier to get to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali than it is to get to Bwindi from Entebbe, so the shortest, easiest way to see the mountain gorilla is on the Rwandan side of the Virungas.
Gorilla permits are more expensive in Rwanda than Uganda, but what you save on the permit in Uganda you'll have to spend on accommodation because Bwindi requires an overnight stop from Entebbe.
Popular Volcanoes National Park safaris
These popular itineraries can be customised to match your budget and travel dates
Rwanda gorillas and the migration, both sides of the Mara River
Enjoy two of Africa's most magnificent wildlife experiences – mountain gorillas and the Great Migration – on one unforgettable safari
Price on Request
per person
11 daysPrimates and wildlife of Uganda and Rwanda
See mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys and tree-climbing lions, take a boat cruise and visit Rwanda's genocide memorial
$ 7,090
£ 5,499
R 99,799
€ 6,276
per person
12 daysThe complete East Africa experience
Enjoy East Africa's most celebrated highlights, from a snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, to sailing above the Serengeti in a hot-air balloon and meeting mountain gorillas
Price on Request
per person
13 daysBest of Africa safari
Experience the best of Africa, from the Okavango Delta – one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders – to the endangered mountain gorillas and East Africa's Great Migration
$ 16,865
£ 13,081
R 237,393
€ 14,929
per person
16 days
More on Volcanoes National Park holidays
The Volcanoes National Park is the oldest national park in Africa. There are some reserves that are older, but Volcanoes was the first national park, proclaimed in 1925 to protect the mountain gorilla. The park was where Dian Fossey was based during her research on mountain gorillas. She arrived in 1967 and set up the Karisoke Research Centre. It's widely believed that her fight for the mountain gorilla and the subsequent publicity saved the species from extinction as a result of the bushmeat trade. Fossey was murdered in 1985, probably by poachers, or so it's thought. She was buried in the park in a grave close to the research centre to which she devoted most of her life. Her story was later documented in the film Gorillas in the Mist. When you go to see mountain gorillas we recommend that you trek on two consecutive days and see two separate habituated families. Trekking in both Volcanoes National Park on the Rwandan side and also at Bwindi on the Ugandan side would give you the best of both worlds.
Volcanoes National Park Map
Volcanoes National Park's location on Google Maps
Frequently Asked Questions about Volcanoes National Park
December to March are the sunniest months and perhaps the best time to visit. There are some cloudy periods and rain from March to May, and drizzle from October to early December which may restrict clear views. However, Mount Kenya National… go there.
The months of December through March and July through October are dry, making them by far the best months to visit the Samburu National Reserve. When the wildlife viewing is at its prime. go there.
May to October is the best time to visit Tsavo East and West National Park. The wildlife is easier to spot - since they gather around the waterhole. go there.
During the drier season, periods between December to early March and June to September - the excellent weather makes it easier to spot the wildlife and trek gorillas. go there.
The best time to see the wildebeest migration is in August as the herds cross the Nile crocodile infested Mara River, crossing an international border between Kenya and Tanzania. go there.
Botswana: Electric plug M 230V and 50Hz Kenya: Electric plug G 240V and 50Hz Malawi: Electrical plug G 230V and 50Hz Mauritius: Electrical plug C & G, 230V and 50Hz Mozambique: Electrical plug C,F,M, 220V and 50Hz Namibia: Electric plug… go there.
Kenya has a world of variety when it comes to tented accommodation camps, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another realm in the bush as your every desire comes try. go there.
Whether you are in the Southern or East Africa you will generally be able to see the big five. The difference really comes in when considering antelope as they are based on your chosen location. go there.
This is all dependant on the countries that you will be visitng and due to the status of certain vaccinations changing at times, please consult our experts before getting vaccines. go there.
Reviews on our Volcanoes National Park safaris
Discover Africa and Carel has put in such an effort for us to experience the annual wildebeest migration, meticulous planning and accurate predictions with logical and the best accommodation options both sides of the Mara River guaranteed us…
Jates and Hil Oettle
from South Africa
All details were covered, all staff and food excellent, service was perfect - would highly recommend for sure.
Ron
from United States of America
Our trip was arranged by Carel Verhoef at discoverafrica.com and was perfectly organised. We flew into the Masai Mara from Nairobi and all flight connections and transfers were arranged for us and went like clockwork. Carel was also very…
Geoffrey Burton
from South Africa
Our service from Carel at Discover Africa was outstanding. His recommendations on the timing of our trip, the lodges we should book, communication and overall assistance ensured that our trip went off very smoothly and that we were in the…
Patti Legg
from South Africa
Discover Africa planned our safari to East Africa and we were certainly in the right areas at the right time, our itinerary was well designed to maximize time with the migration and related sightings - logistics ran smoothly and all in all…
Billy
from South Africa
Excellent combination of calling to chat about plans and details, followed up with emailing of detailed information. Made all arrangements easy for us from the actual booking to payment procedures, exchange rate recommendations, visa advice,…
Saldrix
from South Africa
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