Go back to main page
BEYOND THE GORILLAS

Things to Do Near Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda: Bisoke, Karisimbi, Golden Monkeys & More

You've met the gorillas — now discover the quieter side of this region that most travelers miss: golden monkeys, crater‒lake volcano hikes, Dian Fossey's legacy, local culture and a slower rhythm around Musanze.
Average guest stay: 1.8 nights. Our happiest guests? 3 or more. Here's what awaits beyond the trek.
Plan My Extra Days in Rwanda
Tell us your dates — we'll help you build the right number of days around your trek.
Volcano hiking trail in the Virunga Mountains near Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel Rwanda award badge
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel Rwanda travel award
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel Rwanda guest recognition badge
THINGS TO DO NEAR VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

What are the best things to do in Volcanoes National Park besides gorilla trekking?

The best things to do in and around Volcanoes National Park, besides gorilla trekking, are Golden Monkey trekking (USD 100 permit), the Mount Bisoke day hike to a crater lake (3,711 m), the two‒day Mount Karisimbi climb (4,507 m, Rwanda's highest peak), the hike to Dian Fossey's grave, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the Twin Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, Intore dance and village visits, birdwatching, cycling and a coffee experience. Each park activity needs its own permit, so plan one main activity per day. Add 1–3 extra nights to your gorilla trek and Five Volcanoes, minutes from Kinigi, coordinates it all around your permit dates.
MOST-ADDED ACTIVITY

Golden Monkey Trekking — the Easiest Add-On to Your Gorilla Permit

A shorter, gentler trek through bamboo forest in Volcanoes National Park to see playful golden monkeys — an official, separately permitted experience most guests combine with their gorilla trek on a 3-night stay.
Explore Golden Monkey Trekking →
VOLCANO HIKES

Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi or Muhabura: which volcano should you hike?

From the garden of Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, the horizon is lined with giants: the Virunga volcanoes that gave this region its name. All hikes start at Kinigi park headquarters, need their own permit and are guided by park rangers.
Mount Bisoke (3,711 m, 1 day): the most popular volcano hike in Volcanoes National Park. Steep, often muddy trails lead through bamboo and montane forest to a crater lake on the summit, usually in about 5 to 7 hours return.
Mount Karisimbi (4,507 m, 2 days): Rwanda's highest peak and the tallest of the Virunga volcanoes. You camp on the mountain at around 3,700 m and summit the next morning. Cold, wet and demanding, for fit and well-equipped hikers.
Mount Muhabura (4,127 m, 1 long day): known as "The Sentinel", a steep climb on the Rwanda–Uganda border with wide panoramas over the Twin Lakes.
Volcano hiking trail through bamboo forest in the Virunga Mountains near Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund near Musanze Rwanda
DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND

Dian Fossey's grave and the Ellen DeGeneres Campus

Few people have shaped Rwanda's conservation story like Dian Fossey, who founded the Karisoke Research Center in Volcanoes National Park in 1967. Today a guided hike leads to the former research site between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke, where she is buried beside her gorillas. It needs its own permit and is a demanding uphill walk, so plan it for a separate day from gorilla trekking. Our guide to the Dian Fossey tomb hike covers the permit, start time, difficulty and how to combine it with a gorilla trek.
For a gentler visit, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund near Kinigi has interactive exhibits on gorilla science and conservation, and researchers working alongside local communities.
BIRDWATCHING & NATURE WALKS

Birdwatching, Nature Walks & Gentle Days

After the thrill of your gorilla trek, slow down and let Rwanda's quiet beauty unfold. Take a guided nature walk through Musanze's lush hills, where mist rolls over the fields and every path hums with life.
Over 150 bird species live in and around Volcanoes National Park — from colorful sunbirds to regal crowned cranes. Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen in the gentle rhythm of a morning walk, not on a mountain trail.
Birdwatching and nature walk near Musanze and Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
LOCAL CULTURE

Authentic Culture — The Heartbeat of Rwanda

Cultural encounter with local artisans near Musanze Rwanda

Village Encounters

Just beyond the Twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera, culture isn't performed — it's lived. Meet local artisans weaving baskets from papyrus and farmers tending volcanic soil. Each visit supports community projects that keep Rwanda's traditions alive.
Traditional Intore dance performance near Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Intore Dance Performances

Experience the heartbeat of Rwanda through the powerful Intore dance. With drums echoing through the hills, dancers in vibrant attire move with grace and pride — a tradition once reserved for kings.
SLOW TRAVEL

Cycling and Canoeing at the Twin Lakes Burera and Ruhondo

Cycling through the hills near Musanze Rwanda

Cycling

Pedal through terraced hillsides and volcanic farmland at an easy, unhurried pace. A relaxed way to see the countryside around Musanze between trekking days.
Canoeing on Lake Burera near Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Canoeing on the Twin Lakes

Glide across the calm waters of Lake Burera or Lake Ruhondo, framed by volcano silhouettes. A quiet, scenic way to unwind after time in the forest.
RWANDAN COFFEE

A Coffee Experience Between Volcanoes

Rwanda's volcanic highlands produce some of Africa's finest arabica. On the slopes around Musanze, local farmers grow, hand-pick and roast coffee the traditional way. It's a slow, hands-on way to spend a morning between trekking days — from bean to cup, right where it's grown.
Ask our team to arrange a coffee visit or tasting as part of your stay — a gentle addition to your gorilla trekking itinerary.
Coffee experience and latte art near Musanze Rwanda

Things to do near Volcanoes National Park: FAQ

How many extra days do you need for activities beyond gorilla trekking?
How hard is the Mount Bisoke hike?
How long does it take to climb Mount Karisimbi?
How far in advance should we book these activities?

Let's Plan Your Days Beyond the Gorillas

Tell us how many days you have and what interests you, and our team will build a schedule around your gorilla trek — volcano hikes, Golden Monkeys, culture, or a quiet morning with coffee.
Plan Your Trip
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Information
Contact
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
+250 789 924 969 | +250 780 440 648
marketing@fivevolcanoesrwanda.com
Musanze-Kinigi Road,
Ruhengeri | Rwanda