This African Site is One of 2023’s Top 50 Global Vacation Destinations!
There are a staggering number of destinations in the world, and being chosen as one of the 50 best of them is a big deal.
When you count a total of 195 countries worldwide, containing around 4 million cities and towns, plus parks, islands, and more, the honour seems even bigger!
Time Magazine took on the herculean task of choosing the 50 best places out of all of these. They looked to their planet-wide gallery of contacts for nominations, asking for places “offering new and exciting experiences“.
One of the chosen 50 was none other the Central Africa district of Musanze, Rwanda. The deciding factor in its selection was the opportunity for visitors to trek with the rare mountain gorillas that call the area home.
One of the Top Global Vacation Destinations!
The Home of Rwanda’s Mountain Gorillas
Musanze is Rwanda’s largest city, as well as the name of a district in northwestern Rwanda. The small country is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the east.
It’s where you’ll find the bulk of Volcanoes National Park, where most of Rwanda’s rare mountain gorillas call home.
This park is one of three that comprise the Greater Virunga Ecosystem, which is where more than half of the mountain gorillas that exist today reside. The other two are the DRC’s Virunga National Park and Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park.
There are estimated to be only about 1000 mountain gorillas left in the world. Rwanda’s gorillas live in the bamboo rainforests of the Virunga Mountains and are the country’s biggest draw for visitors.
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
The 160km² rainforest park was Africa’s very first national park, created in 1925. It was also the base of research for well-known primatologist Dian Fossey, who spent 20 years studying the endangered gorillas.
The account of her experiences here was published in the popular book Gorillas in the Mist in 1983. The book, and later the movie, brought the park and the gorillas into the public eye.
Today there are 12 families of mountain gorillas living in the park. All of them have been habituated to the presence of human observers.
🦍 Fun Fact: The park has been at the forefront of gorilla conservation efforts.The population of mountain gorillas in the region has steadily increased in recent years. This is due to conservation initiatives and responsible tourism.
Trekking and spending time in the presence of these intelligent and beautiful animals have been described as life-changing and unforgettable experiences.
Your trek will depend on which family of gorillas you’re assigned to track. It will also vary depending on your fitness level, and how long it takes to find your family.
A gorilla trek can be long and challenging, and depending on the time of year, very wet. But it will afford you the ultimate wildlife experience!
Trek Accessibility
The park is only 2 hours from the Rwandan capital of Kigali, making it very accessible for day trips to trek in the park. You can also take advantage of the accommodations near the park headquarters.
These let you immerse yourself in your surroundings and enjoy all the park has to offer.
Only 8 trekking permits are issued per day, so be sure to book well in advance if you’d like to experience this thrill! Make a reservation through a tour provider like Go2 Africa.
See Endangered Golden Monkeys, Too!
Often overlooked is the park’s Golden Monkey population. These primates are endemic to the Virunga region and are also endangered. They occupy essentially the same territory in the Greater Virunga Ecosystem as the gorillas.
There are estimated to be only about 5,000 of these monkeys left on the planet. They can only be found in the Virunga mountain range. These unique and active creatures can be identified by their bright orange fur and their flat noses.
🎋 Fun Fact: Golden monkeys primarily feed on bamboo leaves, shoots, and stems. They have specialized digestive adaptations that allow them to efficiently process the tough bamboo fibers.
Golden monkeys are also habituated to the presence of humans. You’ll have the chance to observe them without them immediately running in fear.
Again, if you’d like to experience these animals, be sure to book your trek in advance in advance.
More Things to Do in Virunga
🥾 Hiking
Trekking with the mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys is an amazing experience. But there are also some incredible hikes in the park.
Five of the 8 volcanoes in the Virunga Mountain range are in the Volcanoes National Park, and those 5 are all dormant. And yet they’re still as lush and dramatic as ever.
Of the 5 volcanoes in Rwanda, all but one – Mt. Sabyinyo – are hikeable. Tramp to the peaks, or take one of the less challenging trails along the mountains. They all offer spectacular scenery – and all require a guide and a permit.
You could even see some of the other wildlife that lives in the park. As well as gorillas and golden monkeys, the area is home to forest elephants, buffalo, bushbucks, duikers, and a couple of different monkey species.
There are also over 300 species of birds at home here, some of which are endemic to the area.
🦍 Visit the Dina Fossey Museum
The Dian Fossey Museum, aka the Karisoke Research Centre, is another attraction in the Volcanoes National Park. You’ll find that it’s full of information about Fossey’s research and exhibits about gorilla conservation and the behaviour of mountain gorillas.
The research centre now trains new conservationists and scientists on how best to protect mountain gorillas in the future.
🏊🏻♀️ Visit Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu, near Virunga National Park, offers you a peaceful place to spend time. Take a scenic boat trip, enjoy water sports, and relax by the lake. It’s an excellent way to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of the region.
Read more:
➵ African Animal Facts: 27 Extraordinary Things You Never Knew
➵ The 18 Best African Countries to Visit 2023
