Virunga Lodge

Habitat & Wildlife

Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) is one of the last remaining strongholds of the endangered Mountain Gorilla and is located in north-western Rwanda on the borders of the DRC and Uganda. It comprises of a group of five volcanoes, the Virungas, which rise to some 15,000 ft above sea level. The steep slopes and valleys provide a variety of rich montane ecosystems – from evergreen and bamboo forest, to mature canopy forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.

The Parc National Des Volcans is the original home of the ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ made famous by Dian Fossey. It is possible to trek to her grave at ‘Karisoke’, the location of her research centre. She named it such due to its location between Karisimbi (the highest of the range) and Bisoke volcanoes.

Aside from the gorillas, the park is also home to the rare Golden monkey, two habituated groups of which can also be visited (must be pre-booked like the gorilla permits). There are also a number of full day treks which can also be undertaken, including the ascent of the Bisoke (3,700m and known for its crater lake), Muhabura (4,107m) and Gahinga (3,400m) peaks. For an ascent of Karisimbi (4,705m), you’ll need to overnight on the mountain.

There are currently 12 habituated mountain gorilla families. Some groups are considered easier to locate (less walking), though tough walking up and down slopes through thick vegetation should still be expected, especially if the gorillas are mobile when you find them. A maximum of eight people is taken in each trekking group, and you are led by a local guide. Trekking for gorillas in Rwanda can be slightly easier than in Uganda. However, a good level of fitness is required as the terrain over which tracking takes place is extremely difficult (and remember, you’re already at altitude before you even start trekking). Treks can last anything from an hour (on well-worn tracks which present little difficulty) to well over five hours, traversing steep-sided mountains and ravines, often clambering over nothing but suspended vegetation.

Golden Monkeys occupy the bamboo forests so are much more accessible and treks are usually completed by mid-late morning.

Activities

In addition to the park activities mentioned above (primate viewing and hiking), a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is also very worthwhile (entrance fees payable locally). Guests can also get involved in some of the community projects supported by Virunga Lodge, including visiting a craft centre.

Our experienced team will provide full details of what to expect for park activities in Volcanoes National Park, including clothing and gear required (most lodges will provide kit and walking sticks are available from the park headquarters), together with regulations for primate viewing and timings.

Seasons

Virunga Lodge is open year round and trekking is available year round too. However, the best times are from December to March or from June to September.

Children from the age of 12 years are welcomed at Virunga Lodge, however the minimum age to participate in gorilla trekking is 15 years. For that reason, and the fact that gorilla trekking involves very physical requirements, the destination is not an obvious choice for families.

Volcanoes Safaris have established themselves as eco-tourism pioneers in Rwanda and Uganda and a community fee is applied for every guest and donated to Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust, which supports conservation of the great apes and community empowerment projects in the surrounding areas.

The Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) is a non-profit organisation that connects the Volcanoes Safaris lodges to the neighbouring communities and conservation projects, with the aim to create long-term, self-sustaining projects that enrich the livelihoods of local communities, promote the conservation of the great apes, restore natural habitats and reduce human-wildlife conflict. Each guest staying at a Volcanoes Safaris lodge contributes to the Trust and each Volcanoes Lodge undertakes a range of non-profit community and conservation activities in its neighbourhood.

At Virunga Lodge involvement includes a local craft project, the ‘One Sheep per Family’ project, and the water tank project.

The “One Sheep per Family” project, aims to provide one sheep to each of the families in four nearby villages. The sheep manure provides natural and effective fertiliser for growing crops, while selling lambs provides income for the family. For the project to work effectively, the community is divided up into 14 groups and each group is given nine females and one male. After all females produce an offspring, the breeding males are rotated to a different group for genetic diversity. A new family takes over caring for the male and donates one female offspring back to the previous ram caretaker.

Although it rains heavily around Virunga Lodge, there are very few facilities for water catchment and storage and in the dry season there is an acute shortage of water. The village communities around Virunga lodge do not have enough clean water for drinking or for growing crops. Virunga Lodge has been providing plastic water tanks to the local community and with the support of their guests, tanks have been donated to all households in Sunzu village and is working towards donating to all families in Bugeyo village.

The craft project involves a group of 10 local ladies who make local Rwandan crafts, which are sold directly to guests at Virunga Lodge (guests can visit the craft centra), as well as to all Volcanoes Safari lodges. Crafts such as baskets, table placemats and coasters, and kitenge bathrobes are made and sold by the group.

The lodge is also planning to build a new vocational centre near Virunga Lodge which will provide practical training and apprenticeships in carpentry and tailoring to young people living in the communities neighbouring the lodge.