Volcanoes National Park is one of Rwanda’s highly treasured natural attractions. Located in the Musanze District in the country’s northwest, the park spans approximately 160 square kilometers. It is part of the wider Virunga Massif, which extends over Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is well-known for its magnificent volcanic scenery and rich biodiversity and plays a significant role in protecting endangered mountain gorillas.

The park derives its name from the chain of dormant volcanoes within its boundaries, including Mount Bisoke (3,711 meters), Mount Muhabura (4,127 meters), Mount Gahinga (3,474 meters), Mount Sabinyo (3,669 meters), and Mount Karisimbi, the highest at 4,507 meters.

The park's mountainous terrain is remarkably diverse, featuring lush rainforests, bamboo forests, alpine meadows, and craters that provide beautiful scenery. Its rich biodiversity makes it a sanctuary for several wildlife species, including the iconic endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and other primates. The park also hosts forest elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, bushbucks, and more than 200 bird species.

The park is one of the few places in the world where people from around the globe can encounter the endangered mountain gorillas. There are several habituated gorilla families that can be tracked daily, offering visitors a unique opportunity to observe these gentle giants up close.

In addition to mountain gorillas, the park is also home to the playful golden monkeys. Like the gorillas, these captivating primates may be encountered daily, allowing visitors to witness their beauty and charm in their natural habitat.

Apart from tracking mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, Volcanoes National Park offers a variety of other thrilling activities. These include hiking and volcano climbing, with Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi being popular destinations. Visitors can also explore the tomb of Dian Fossey and the Karisoke Research Centre and venture into the Musanze Caves near the park. These diverse experiences provide an enriching and adventurous alternative to the park's wildlife encounters.