Experiences

• Gorilla tracking

  Heading through the dense forests to look for mountain gorillas is a truly magical experience. Only eight visitors are assigned to each family of gorillas per day, and you’ll get to spend a memorable hour with them in the forest. This activity is suitable for all fitness levels.
  

• Golden monkey tracking

  There are only a small number of golden monkeys left and some of them can be found in Volcanoes National Park. Look out for their golden bodies and black limbs as they play in trees. They can also be found in the Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, and no matter which side you choose to do this activity from, the walk will take you through bamboo stands and forests to elevated moorlands.
  

• Intore dance performances

  The Intore Dancers group, which is made up of 24 dancers and two trainers, perform the traditional Rwandan ballet, the Intore (The Heroes). This dance is based on the victory dance of the Rwandan Mwami (kings). Today, dancers use traditional weapons like spears and bows and wear long white hairpieces.
  

• One Sheep Per Family project

  ‘Virunga Lodge’s ‘One Sheep Per Family’ project gives one sheep to each of the 140 families in the Sunzu community. The manure is used to make fertiliser for the family’s crops, and lambs are able to be sold to provide extra income.

• Hike to Dian Fossey’s grave

  You’ll find the graves of Dian Fossey and some of her research gorillas in a beautiful meadow between the Karisimbi and Visoke volcanoes. The trek is highly recommended for anyone interested in gorilla conservation in Rwanda, or Fossey’s personal story. Beginning early in the morning, it can take between six and eight hours.
  

• Lake Bulera Village Walk

  If you have a free afternoon, head down the mountain slope and through some of the local villages on your way to Lake Bulera. As you walk through the villages, you’ll get a feel for what life is like there and perhaps even pop in at local schools and community centres.
  

• Climb a volcano

  The nearby volcanoes offer avid hikers various routes with stunning views. The most popular with climbers are Mt Gahinga, Mt Sabyinyo and Mt Muhavura. They range in difficulty and generally take a full day to complete. Set out from park headquarters at 7am.