Budget activities to do in Volcanoes National Park.

Budget activities to do in Volcanoes National Park, One of Rwanda’s top tourist destinations is the Volcanoes National Park, often called Parc National de Volcans (PNV). The park itself occupies 160 square kilometers and is situated in Rwanda’s Northern Province. In the early 1920s, the Volcanoes National Park was transformed into a significant area for the conservation of plants and fauna. The park is located within the Virunga Conservation Area, which is popularly referred to as the home of the endangered mountain gorillas.  The area comprises three major parks, that is, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

With the arrival of Dian Fossey in 1967 and the founding of the Karisoke Research Center, poaching was reduced, and through her efforts, the survival of the enormous apes was guaranteed.

Although mountain gorillas are the most popular attraction in this area, which costs $1500 per person to track, the park also offers several activities that are more affordable for tourists who are unable to participate in gorilla tracking but still want to enjoy the Volcanoes National Park and its surroundings. Here is a way you can enjoy the Volcanoes National Park on a limited budget.

Visit the Dian Fossey Tomb and the Karisoke research center.

For only $75, you can visit the gravesite of Dian Fossey, the greatest primatologist of all time. she is highly credited for introducing ways of making gorillas get used to human presence through imitating their sounds and gaining the trust of the dominant silverback. Her bravery and dedication significantly reduced wildlife poaching, especially of mountain gorillas, in the Volcanoes National Park. Today, mountain gorillas would most likely be gone if it weren’t for her efforts. The hike is moderately challenging and lasts for about 3 hours. The gravesite is located between Mount Bisoke and Karisimbi. The route leads you through scenic volcanic landscapes and some wild animals as you share stories from your guide about Dian Fossey and her conservation work.

Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

From hiking to the Dian Fossey Tomb or mountain gorilla tracking, you can visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.  This is another way of experiencing the efforts of Dian Fossey towards mountain gorilla protection in Rwanda. This place is a hub for conservation, education, and research.

The visit takes you to the Conservation gallery that exhibits the original artifacts and belongings of Dian Fossey, meets the frontline researchers working hard to save gorillas, and the research laboratories. Visiting this place is not chargeable, but you are requested to donate in any currency as a contribution to support the gorilla conservation efforts.

Golden monkey tracking

This is another affordable activity in Volcanoes National Park with a permit cost of $100 per person. Golden monkeys are another group of endangered primate species commonly found in the bamboo forest areas at the base of the volcanoes in this park. this activity starts with an early morning briefing at Kinigi Park headquarters, and later, participants are driven to the starting points of the trek.

This activity is a bit easier than gorilla trekking, as it may take you less than an hour to spot the golden monkeys. On encounter, you are allowed to spend time watching these incredibly beautiful creatures as they skillfully pick the bamboo shoots and leaves. They spend a lot of time in the top branches but also come down to even the ground and even get close to humans, at least within a meter. They are so friendly and free with flash photography. At times, they can be spotted in nearby plantations and potato fields.  After an hour of encounter, and hiking through the park jungles, you will realise that it is a wildlife experience without a premium price tag.

Volcano hiking

Volcanoes National Park comprises five of the eight volcanoes that make up the Virungas. These include Mount Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, Sabinyo, and Karisimbi.  One of the best ways to explore the park cheaply, especially if you cannot afford gorilla trekking, is hiking any of these mountains. Hiking in this park is done mainly on four of them, except Mount Sabinyo, which has many craters and sharp ridges.  Hing mount Bisoke,  Gahinga, and Mhabura costs $75 per person, and Karisimbi costs $400  because it’s a two-day hike. All these prices are quite low compared to gorilla trekking, which is $1500 per person.

Hiking along the trails on these volcanoes exposes you to plenty of wildlife, including mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, forest elephants, buffaloes, and several endemic bird species. some volcanoes have crater lakes along the routes and at the summits.  Explore Volcanoes National Park cheaply with scenic hikes.

Visit the gorilla guardians’ village. (Ib’yiwachu Cultural Center)

Another budget and cultural attraction that is a significant addition to the menu for prospective visitors to the Volcanoes National Park is the Ib’yiwachu cultural village, which is also referred to as the Gorilla Guardians Cultural Village. This cultural village is a true display of Rwanda’s culture, people, and history. International visitors experience a typical African village’s culture, buildings, traditional dances, dress code, food, plants, and ancient kingdoms’ organization. Visiting the gorilla guardian village is only $25 per person.

Visit the twin lakes (Bulera and Ruhondo)

The two lakes are a short drive from Volcanoes National Park headquarters.  This is a cheap activity where you will enjoy a cool breeze from the lake, spectacular views of the lake, several water birds, and the surrounding vegetation. A boat trip on the lakes ranges from $20 to $30 per person on a shared boat. Swimming is also possible on the lakes because they are free from crocodiles and hippos.

 Engage in a guided hike in Musanze caves

This is another budget activity in Volcanoes National Park. Musanze caves were so significant during ancient times and were used as the venue for crowning local Rwandan kings.  Later in 1994, the caves provided shelter for thousands of refugees who had escaped the genocide. Today, the caves are a great tourist attraction that one should visit while in Volcanoes National Park.  They are cool, quiet, and contain small streams of water flowing from the rocky ceiling to the down rocky walls. The caves are also home to thousands of bats that can be seen hanging on the rocky walls. The walls of the caves are covered with attractive green vegetation, good for photography. Exploring the caves takes 1 to 2 hours, and a guided hike costs $55 per person. Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can engage in the hike.

Tips for visiting Volcanoes National Park on a budget.

-Consider skipping the gorilla tracking activity because it is most expensive for some travelers. opt for activities like volcano hiking, where, on a lucky day, you can see mountain gorillas as you hike.

– Visit in the low season from March to May or October to November, for discounted accommodation rates and striking green vegetation that is best for photography and birding safaris.

– Find budget accommodations that are close to the park in Musanze. The best  options can be Kinigi Guest house, which even has camping grounds, Fatima hotel, Hotel Muhabura, Villa Gorillas, and many others. These provide affordable accommodation between $20 and $40.

-Join travel in groups to save on transport and guiding costs.

-Use public transport while in Rwanda to save on transport costs.  Shared taxis from Kigali to Musanze charge  RWF 3000.