5 Things To Do In Volcanoes National Park On Honeymoon

Here are the top 5 things to do in Volcanoes National Park on a honeymoon. Topping up your love story with a honeymoon to Volcanoes National park in Rwanda can never be a wrong decision. A range of activities are available in and out of Volcanoes National Park with Gorilla trekking topping the list. Encounter Africa safaris organizes amazing honeymoon holidays for lovebirds interested in Visiting Africa and Volcanoes National Park in Particular.

A brief about Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park occupies about 160 km of land with a backdrop of five volcanic beautiful mountains.  These mountains include Karisimbi Mountain, Bisoke Mountain, Gahinga Mountain, Muhavura Mountain, and Sabyinyo Mountain.  These have different vegetation zones some of which act as feeding grounds for the mountain gorillas, especially the bamboo delicacy.

The population of mountain gorillas dropped to about 240- 250 in the 1970 and 1980s because of civil unrest in Rwanda and poaching. To save the mountain gorillas from extinction, an American Philanthropist Dian Fossey set up a research station at Karisoke Research Center. Her effort was put to a stop by assassinators in 1985 when she was murdered.

Volcanoes National Park being a special biosphere reserve in Rwanda is home to other primates like golden monkeys olive baboons, pottos monkeys, blue monkeys, and others. Some wild animals like duikers, forest elephants, warthogs, and much more also live in the forest. A rich avian life enjoys the feasts of the forest too.

Highlights of 5 Things To Do In Volcanoes National Park On Honeymoon

• Gorilla Trekking
• Golden Monkey trekking
• Mountain hiking
• Birding in Volcanoes National Park
• Dian Fossey Trek

Gorilla trekking In Volcanoes National Park On Honeymoon

Securing the gorilla trekking permits for your encounter with the mountain gorillas of volcanoes national park is already a winning beginning of your marriage. Volcanoes National park gorilla trekking permits are limited even when the demand is high.

The Rwanda development board is responsible for selling the Rwanda gorilla permits and these are sold according to family. At the moment Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda has about 13 gorilla families open for tourist visits but only 8 permits are sold per day per trek per family.

Each day gorilla trekking starts with an early morning briefing at the ranger station and later you are grouped into 8 persons per gorilla family. The gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda is more strenuous because of the steep ridges you have to hike to locate the mountain gorillas.

Together with your spouse walk into the forest with other hikers to search for the mountain gorillas. Remember to carry packed lunch because the time to take and locate the mountain gorillas is unknown. They are such mobile creatures because they need to feed on enough food that will last the whole day and night.

Take photos of the gorilla family and keep watch of what each member of the family does to survive. They may be animals in the wild but they have a lot to teach about family bonding.

Golden monkey Trekking In Volcanoes National Park on Honeymoon

Honeymoon is all about making memories and having a good time golden monkeys trekking gives out all this. Golden monkeys are a type of exciting monkeys with a golden brown cover of fur at the back.  They bare a scientific name Cercopithecus Mitis Candits. The golden monkeys are residents of Volcanoes National park. They are some of the endangered monkey species only living in the Virunga area in the entire world.

They love keeping their follower excited about their next move. Get ready to keep on your toes as if playing hide and seek. During golden monkeys’ trekking, you may get to see other monkeys like olive baboons, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, L’hoest’s, black and white colobus, and pottos monkeys to mention but a few.

During golden monkey trekking, look out for a number of birds that love hanging out in volcanoes national Park because of lots of goodies they can feed on. The forest provided comfortable nesting locations in the tree branches. Over 90 bird species live in the forest of which about 13 Albertine endemics. Some bird that may be spotted includes Shelley’s crimson wings, Archer’s Robin-chat, and handsome Francolin to mention but a few.

Mountain Hiking On Honeymoon in Volcanoes National Park

Quality time on honeymoon is important especially in the wilderness listening to the calls of the jungle. Hiking one of the Virunga Mountains gives you more quiet undisturbed time. This is a one-day activity giving you an exceptional view of natural vegetation zones that are not found close to the ground.

The vegetation varies according to the level of altitude like between 2400m to 2500m Neoboutania, 2500m to 3200m Arundinaria, and 3200m to 3600m Hagenia- Hypericum.

Some of the Mountains you get to hike include Mountain Karisoke, Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Gahinga.

Birding in Volcanoes National Park On Honeymoon

Volcanoes National park is a birding haven in Rwanda. The forest has about 90 bird species and 13 of which are Albertine endemics. It gets more intimate watching birds set nests for their families.

The mothers are busy all day searching for a meal to give chicks. Such electrifying moments touch deep in your heart. In case you are both keen birders, identifying the calls, and spotting birds together creates extra bonding.

Such electrifying moments are special and unforgettable. Some of the birds you may get to identify include Rwenzori Turacos, Dusky Crimsonwings, Shelley’s Crimson wings,

Visit Dian Fossey Grave with Dian Fossey Gorilla International fund

Giving back to mountain gorilla conservation during a honeymoon in Volcanoes National park cannot be complete without visiting the grave of Dian Fossey. She was an American philanthropist who stood strong for the existence of the mountain gorillas that were at the rim of extinction.

After realizing how vulnerable the mountain gorilla population had become, she realized that humans have to get closer to mountain gorillas in order to save them. She pioneered gorilla habituation but her dream came to halt in 1985 when she was murdered.

Her deeds gave birth to gorilla trekking which is exciting to many travelers who book Africa Safari Adventures. Even filming gorillas became a must for most nature production companies like National Geographic, BBC travel, and so many others.

Walk in the story of a great hero who stood for the voiceless mountain gorillas under threat many conservation-related organizations have joined this conservation plan.

Additional Experience on Honeymoon In Rwanda is Kigali City Tour

Kigali city tour may not be in Volcanoes National Park but worth including on your to-do list for your honeymoon in Rwanda. Take off some time to enjoy the city of a thousand hills, and tour the Kimironko market the largest marketplace of Rwanda.

In case you are comfortable with the visit to the Kigali genocide memorial, St Families church, and Gisozi Genocide Memorial take your time to listen to the horrific stories of ignorance. A number of families were broken children left orphans and others homeless. Some names of victims of the genocide are listed on the walls, through hall photos, wooden sculptures and so much more.

How Much Are Rwanda Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey permits

Rwanda currently has 13 gorilla trekking families and each has 8 gorilla families to book per day. The Rwanda Development Board is responsible for selling and issuing Rwanda Gorilla trekking golden monkey permits.

The cost of a Rwanda golden monkeys permit is $ 100 per person per trek per day and $1500 per nonresident foreign person per day per trek.

What Is The Best Time To Book Honeymoon In Volcanoes National Park?

All year round volcanoes National park is open for any activities like gorilla trekking, birding, and so much more but the park has busy seasons. If you are looking for more private and intimate time on honeymoon, the shoulder seasons of March to May and November are comfortable.

The park during this season is less crowded even with accommodations within and outside of the park. You have enough time to yourselves with less interference. Accommodation staff also pays more attention to your wishes because they have fewer people to look after.

Even closing off a gorilla trekking family from being joined by other trekkers for more private activities is more possible during the shoulder season.

What Accommodations To Book For Honeymoon in Volcanoes National Park

Based on your budget, Volcanoes national park has a wide range of lodges or hotels facilities for all plans

Volcanoes National Park accommodation to book for Rwanda Honeymoon is ranked according to luxury, Midrange, and Budget facilities. Most honeymooners need some extra privacy and in the more luxury facilities this is guaranteed but even other budgets are available.

 Some of the accommodation facilities include  Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Village Hotel Mille Collines, Best View Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Gorilla Volcanoes Hotel, Kinigi Guest House.

How To Get To Volcanoes National park In Rwanda

Road transport driving from Kigali Airport to volcanoes National Park is the main means to use.  This drive lasts about 3 hours from Kigali to Musanze where Volcanoes National park is located.

You may opt for Public transport from Kigali City center which ends in Musanze then hire a private car to finally reach Volcanoes National park headquarters in Kinigi.

Extra private Charter helicopter services are available through Akagera Aviation to Volcanoes National Park

At Encounter Africa Safaris we offer all-inclusive Rwanda safari packages covering transport using 4×4 vehicles.

What To Pack For Honeymoon In Volcanoes National Park

A fleece or sweater to wear because the pack experiences cold conditions especially early morning and at night.

Tracking boots for hiking to get to the gorillas that normally feed from the slopes

Rainproof gears to protect yourself from getting wet when it rains.

Energy snacks for you to get an extra energy when trekking to locate the mountain gorillas

A soundproof camera without a flash to keep memories of your experience with a gorilla family.

Light waterproof bag to store your belongings that would scatter in the forest.

We have a detailed list of what to pack here.

Why Encounter Africa Safaris

Encounter Africa safaris is an indigenous Tour Operator specializing in organizing amazing safari experiences to Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, and The Democratic Republic of Congo. We have over time excited our clients by providing timely and professional services and this can be seen on our trip advisor page where many have left positive safari reviews about our service. For more information about 5 things to do in Volcanoes National Park on a honeymoon, kindly get in touch via email or phone and one of our safari consultants will respond to you accordingly.