Volcanoes National Park

Made famous by the primatologist Dian Fossey, Volcanoes National Park is situated in the far north-west of Rwanda and is known as one of the few remaining strongholds of the mountain gorilla. Thanks to the gentler hills and more open bush, the tracking and observation of these magnificent animals is far easier here than some other parks.

The park offers a variety of different habitats and therefore various species make this area their home. Here you will find five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga mountain range with the slopes covered in bamboo forest and rainforest. Contrastingly, the swamps, marshes, lakes and open grassland mean that you have the chance of spotting many different birds alongside spotted hyena, golden monkeys and bushbuck.

Depart on a trek led by an experienced naturalist guide in search of gorillas and golden monkeys. The guides are experts and there is a maximum of eight permits per day for gorilla tracking so the whole experience means minimal impact on the animals and a more conscious experience for the visitors. The trek is at altitude so can take your breath away and watch out for all the stinging nettles in which the gorillas make a home.