Visit Volcanoes National Park; What to see and do.
Tracking mountain gorillas is one of Africa’s top wildlife experiences and Volcanoes National Park is perhaps the best place for it. There are more habituated troops here than in the other parks that offer this activity. Each troop has its own territory and family structure. Budget permitting, you can consider booking two gorilla treks on two different days. Gorilla trekking is available throughout the year. Sightings are almost guaranteed at any time. In heavy rain, the trails become slippery, therefore tracking gorillas is easier during the Dry season, from June to August, and to a lesser extent in December and January when it also rains a bit less. Gorilla trekking in the Dry season may require booking far in advance to ensure you get a permit. In addition to mountain gorillas, a troop of habituated golden monkeys, endemic to the Albertine Rift, can also be tracked. Other mammals resident in the park (but rarely seen) include: buffalo, elephant, bushpig, giant forest hog and several antelope species.
Birdlife
With about 180 species recorded, Volcanoes National Park offers good birding. However, most of the park’s special birds can also be seen in Nyungwe Forest, which is better set-up for birding. A local specialty is the vulnerable swamp-dwelling Grauer’s swamp warbler and at least 16 Albertine Rift endemics (birds restricted to the Albertine Rift) are present, including handsome francolin, Ruwenzori turaco and Ruwenzori batis, Ruwenzori double-collared sunbird, and Archer’s robin-chat.