What do you love most about your job?

Working closely with local communities to understand their aspirations and meeting tourists to hear about their Rwandan travel adventures.

What makes trekking in the park so special?

Trekking in Volcanoes National Park is unique. The terrain is friendly and tourism is well organised to meet guests’ expectations. You are visiting well-known gorillas, with individual histories and a meaningful name received during the national Gorilla Naming Ceremony, Kwita Izina, which is held every year for all newborns.

What are the golden monkeys like?

As the name suggests, the golden monkeys have a striking golden fur coat. They are very active creatures but are lovely to watch and excellent to photograph. The golden monkey trek is one of the least strenuous activities in the park as the monkeys live in the bamboo forest and the terrain is relatively flat and easy for hiking. There are three main troops of golden monkeys, each with about 50 to 100 members.

Which animals and plants can visitors encounter in Volcanoes National Park?

While the main attractions are the gorillas and golden monkeys, trekkers can also see buffaloes, antelopes and sometimes elephants. Volcanoes National Park has different vegetation zones determined by altitude which informs the diverse plants and animals.

Which creatures are most endangered?

Gorillas face increasing competition over land use and pressure from people for their habitat. Although the population has risen recently, the mountain gorilla is still endangered, with just over 1,000 animals in the wild. And because the park is one of their few precious homes, we have a big responsibility to protect them for future generations.

How close can visitors get to the mountain gorillas?

Tourism to witness mountain gorillas in the wild is carefully regulated, and the minimum distance maintained between gorillas and visitors is seven metres. However, gorillas are used to people and can get closer, especially while travelling and feeding. Gorilla groups are all different in terms of composition, individual personalities and their chosen habitat, so each encounter feels fresh.

Trek Guide at Volcanoes National Park