Entry fees to Volcanoes National Park – What is Required, Fees and Costs Guide

No entry fees to Volcanoes National Park however, each safari activity or adventure offered at the park has a different rate. Volcanoes National Park is found in Musanze district in the Northern Province of Rwanda, about 113kms which is approximately 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali-the capital city of Rwanda and 3-4 hours from Kabale, southwestern Uganda. Volcanoes National Park spans up to 160sq.kms and its creation in 1925 was mainly to offer refuge to a section of rare mountain gorillas and other wildlife species. Besides mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park also inhabits golden monkeys, over 200 bird species, 5 Virunga Volcanoes-(Bisoke, Karisimbi, Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo) as well as several mammals and reptile species.

Volcanoes National Park has a lot more to offer and safari activities start from Kinigi park headquarters. The charge for safari experiences or activities in Volcanoes National Park differs depending on the activity you intend to take part.

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking which is a unique and major wildlife experience in Volcanoes National Park and it comes at a cost. Visitors on gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park pay $1500 to secure gorilla permit and this charge applies to all visitors. One gorilla trekking permit is what allows you to track one habituated gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park include among others Karisimbi gorilla family (Susa B), Susa A, Sabyinyo, Hirwa, Titus, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Agashya, Bwenge, Ugenda and Umubano. You can obtain your gorilla permit through a reliable, trustworthy tour operator in Rwanda or reservationist at Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park

To track golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park requires trekkers to have a permit. Each golden monkey tracking permit in Rwanda cost $100 (foreign non-residents), $65 (foreign residents), $65 (Rwandans) and $80 (East African Community citizens)

Bisoke hike

To take part in Bisoke hike, you need $75 (for foreign non-residents), $6o foreign residents and $55 for Rwandans. Bisoke Volcano stands at altitude 3700 meters and a hike to its peak gets you to magical Crater Lake-Ngezi Lake. A hike through Bisoke Mountain may take you 6 hours but this may depend on your speed of hiking. 4 hours can be spent to ascend to the summit and 2 hours to descend to where you started your adventure.

Other volcanoes to explore include Mount Karisimbi and a hike through this volcano may cost $400-for foreign non-residents, $250-foreign foreign residents $200-for Rwandans and $300-for East African Community citizens. Muhabura-Gahinga hike permits cost $200 per person while Muhabura hike permits cost $100 and Gahinga hike permits cost $75. For multiple volcano hikes-Muhabura, Bisoke volcano, Karisimbi and Gahinga volcano, permits cost $1500.

Buhanga Eco-Park

A day visit to Buhanga Eco-Park may cost you $40 (for foreign non-residents), $30-for foreign residents, $25 for Rwandans and $35-for East African Community citizens.

Buhanga Eco-Park and camp

Visitors on Buhanga Eco-Park and camping tour pay $60-for foreign non residents, $50-foreign residents, $40 for Rwandans and $55 for East Africa Community residents.

Musanze cave exploration

The Musanze cave visit costs $50 for foreign non-residents, $30-for foreign residents, 4000 RWF-for Rwandans or East African Community citizens.

Dian Fossey hike

To hike to Dian Fossey tomb site cost $75 per person. Dian Fossey tomb site hike allows you to explore in depth conservation legacy of Dian Fossey. She is credited for her tireless work to save mountain gorillas in the wild and she set up a research center at Karisoke to aid her research work. Dian Fossey conducted research on gorillas for about 18 years but she was mysteriously murdered. She also founded the Digit Fund the now Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International.

Nature walks

Nature walks in Volcanoes National Park may cost you $40-for foreign non-residents, $40-for foreign residents and $35 for Rwandans. Nature walks are the best way to get close to nature and explore the hidden treasures within various habitats in Volcanoes National Park. Camping tours in Volcanoes National Park cost $30-for foreign non-residents, $10-for Rwandans.