Volcanoes National Park is the most visited national park in Rwanda. The park has today approximately 10 gorilla groups that have been habituated for human visits. Most visitors taking Rwanda safaris can’t end their trip without visiting this forest park located in the northern part of the country and this is largely due to gorilla tourism that was developed about three decades ago.
Volcanoes National Park is the number one destination to visit. The park is situated in the Virunga area within 1.5hours drive from Kigali to Ruhengeri. The park lies along the border of Rwanda with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Along side mountain Gorillas, the park also hosts golden monkeys and birds among others.
Gorilla trekking is the major tourist activity in Volcanoes National Park; other activities include Golden Monkey trekking, birding, Nature walks, cultural tours, Mountain hiking among others.
It should be noted that, gorilla trekking earns Rwanda the biggest revenue in tourism sector. Revenue obtained from Gorilla trekking is used for infrastructural development. Good roads, schools, Hotels, clean water among others have been put in places leading to the development of the country.
Volcanoes National park has facilitated the cropping up of Tourists Lodges and Hotels in Rwanda. The development of such accommodation has widens Government tax base since they are taxed by the Rwanda Government which boosts the development of Rwanda.
The presence of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda has attracted foreign investors to invest their money in Rwanda through setting businesses like Hotels, Schools, and Restaurants among others. The setting of new businesses in Rwanda has created employment opportunities to people and widening tax revenue to the government.
Volcanoes National Park is a research ground- students go to the park for study purposes through field works among others.
The presence of Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park has created jobs to the Gorilla doctors, rangers, researchers among others.
Gorilla trekking in volcanoes National Parks enables trekkers gain physical fitness –the 2-5 hours walk while searching for the primates are worth taking.
Volcanoes National Park has advertised the country to the rest of the world. Today, Rwanda is known by many people internationally due to presence of Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National park has facilitated marketing in Rwanda – tourists who visit the park buys commodities from the local residents hence earning a living.
The park hosts the country’s treasure (wildlife) – such animals are reserved for future generation. Some animals are reserved in the park to prevent them from attacking human beings.
Volcanoes National park offers ground for leisure while viewing the Virunga ranges – indeed, the best place for photographing.
Volcanoes National Park enables supplements other parks like Nyungwe Forest National Park (Home of Chimps) and Akagera National Park (Home of a variety). Tourists find it important to add on Gorilla trekking as the climax activity in Rwanda. In the process, the country earns a lot of foreign exchange