Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and is known as a haven for the mountain gorilla. It is home to five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo), which are covered in rainforest and bamboo.

The park is best known for the mountain gorilla. Other mammals include: golden monkey, black-fronted duiker, buffalo, spotted hyena and bushbuck. There are also reported to be some elephants in the park, though these are now very rare. The mountain gorilla is considered to be critically endangered and conservation efforts are ongoing. The main international non-government organization involved in conservation of mountain gorillas is the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, which was established in 1991. Conservation requires work at many levels, from local to international, and involves protection and law enforcement as well as research and education. It is estimated that fewer than 900 mountain gorilla’s remain.