Located in Rwanda and bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park is best known as a sanctuary for the region’s rare mountain gorillas. Visitors flock here to experience a face-to-face encounter with these intriguing creatures. The park is set high on the jungle-covered slopes of the volcanic Virunga Mountains. Highly regulated treks through the reserve allow visitors to spend an hour at a time with these incredible primates in their natural habitat. While the gorilla’s are without a doubt the primary attraction at Volcanoes National Park, visitors can also look forward to exploring a network of scenic hiking trails, visiting the tomb of the world-famous Dian Fossey and her Karisoke Research Centre, and enjoying a beautiful day hike to the crater lake on Mount Bisoke.

The park offers stunning scenery on a clear day, with nine volcanoes stretching into the horizon from east to west. Two of these, Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira in the Democratic Republic Congo are still active, and Nyamuragira’s red glow can often be seen reflected off low-lying clouds above the mountain.