When is the best time to visit Volcanoes National Park?

On our scoring, the strongest months are July, August, June. That score is computed from three years of rainfall and temperature: drier months concentrate animals around water and make the roads easier, which is what actually drives game-viewing. March scores lowest — usually because it is the wettest. That does not make it a bad month, but it is a different trip: greener, quieter and less predictable.

What is the weather like in Volcanoes National Park in July?

Typically around 13mm of rain across the month, with daytime highs near 19°C. These are averages from the last three years of records, not a forecast — East African rainfall varies a great deal year to year.

How do I get to Volcanoes National Park?

You fly. It is roughly 25.6 hours door-to-door from Arusha including transfers — there is no sensible road option.

How many nights should I spend in Volcanoes National Park?

Two to three nights is where most people land, and three is better than two. One night means you arrive, sleep, and leave — you spend more of it driving than looking. The single most common planning mistake we see is too many parks with too few nights in each.

Accommodation is the biggest lever by a distance — ultra-luxury from about $1,100 a night, luxury from about $520 a night, mid-range from about $380 a night per person. The park itself, the guide and the animals are identical whichever you choose. Park fees are set by the government and charged per person per day.

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Northern Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

4 safaris 27 attractions mapped ● 7°C Mainly clear

Plan a trip here View safaris

Area 130 km²

Established 1969

Coordinates -1.468, 29.493

Now 7°C · 2 km/h

Overview

About Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda's Virunga Mountains offers the world's most refined gorilla trekking experience. Twelve habituated gorilla families are available to visitors, with Rwanda's premium conservation model delivering shorter treks and higher success rates.

Volcanoes National Park is a national park in northwestern Rwanda. It covers 160 km2 (62 sq mi) of rainforest and encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. It borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. It is home to the mountain gorilla and the golden monkey, and was the base for the primatologist Dian Fossey.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

At a glance

12 mountains & peaks
5 historical sites
10 viewpoints & attractions

Peaks Picnic sites Historical Other

Mount Karisimbi

Volcano

▲ 4,507 m -1.506, 29.450

Volcanoes National Park

About Volcanoes National Park

At a glance

Every attraction, plotted

Mountains & Peaks

Mount Karisimbi

Mont Mikeno

Mount Muhabura

Mount Bisoke

Mount Sabyinyo 3rd Peak

Mount Sabinyo

Mount Sabyinyo 2nd Peak

Mount Gahinga

Nyiragongo

Shaheru

Mugogo

Mount Hehu

Historical Sites

Muhoza Memorial

Genocide Memorial to the Tutsis

Tracker Hut

Dian Fossey Hut

Mémorial des victimes de la Première Guerre Mondiale

Viewpoints & Other Attractions

Cabanes du Cratère du Nyiragongo

Nr. 12 - Diane Fossey Room

Dian Fossey Grave

Gorges de Sabinyo

Camp before karisimbi

Point de Vue du Lac de Lave

ngarama batwa cave

Art objects

Susa Gardens Resort Campsite

Uganda Wildlife Authority

When to visit Volcanoes National Park

Safaris visiting Volcanoes National Park

10-Day Tanzania Safari + Rwanda Gorilla Trekking

Ready to explore Volcanoes National Park?