Volcanoes National Park

🇷🇼 Rwanda

🦍 Gorilla Families on Volcano Slopes
🌍 #200 Global · 3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #54 in Africa #90 in Tropical Forest
East Africa, Rwanda 1298 spp. recorded

Volcanoes National Park sits in north‑west Rwanda, part of the East African volcanic chain. The park protects a mosaic of tropical rainforest that climbs steep slopes and cradles mist‑shrouded valleys, giving a stark contrast to the savanna that surrounds it.

-1.533° S   29.471° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Eastern Gorilla ★
CR

Eastern Gorilla

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Gorilla beringei

80–90% · Very likely
Streaky Seedeater ★
LC

Streaky Seedeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Crithagra striolata

80–90% · Very likely
Coarse Chameleon ★
LC

Coarse Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trioceros rudis

70–80% · Very likely
Blue Monkey ★
LC

Blue Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cercopithecus mitis

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Chubb's Cisticola
LC

Chubb's Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola chubbi

70–80% · Very likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

70–80% · Likely
Pied Crow
LC

Pied Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus albus

60–70% · Likely
Baglafecht Weaver
LC

Baglafecht Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus baglafecht

50–60% · Likely
Variable Sunbird
LC

Variable Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cinnyris venustus

50–60% · Likely
Red-eyed Dove
LC

Red-eyed Dove

☀️🌙 Day & Night Bird

Streptopelia semitorquata

50–60% · Likely
Bronze Sunbird
LC

Bronze Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Nectarinia kilimensis

50–60% · Likely
Black Kite
LC

Black Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Milvus migrans

50–60% · Likely
Hadada
LC Endemic

Hadada

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia hagedash

40–50% · Likely
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
LC

Northern Grey-headed Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Passer griseus

40–50% · Likely
African Stonechat
LC

African Stonechat

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Saxicola torquatus

40–50% · Likely
Black-crowned Waxbill
LC

Black-crowned Waxbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Estrilda nonnula

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Eastern Gorilla ★
CR

Eastern Gorilla

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Gorilla beringei

80–90% · Very likely
Blue Monkey ★
LC

Blue Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cercopithecus mitis

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Northern Bushbuck
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

30–40% · Possible
Southern Tree Hyrax
LC

Southern Tree Hyrax

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Dendrohyrax arboreus

20–30% · Possible
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

Insufficient data
Carruthers' Mountain Squirrel
LC

Carruthers' Mountain Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Funisciurus carruthersi

Insufficient data
Spotted-necked Otter
NT

Spotted-necked Otter

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hydrictis maculicollis

Insufficient data
Bush Duiker
LC

Bush Duiker

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sylvicapra grimmia

Insufficient data
Stuhlmann's Golden Mole
LC

Stuhlmann's Golden Mole

Mammal

Chrysochloris stuhlmanni

Insufficient data
African Forest Elephant
CR

African Forest Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta cyclotis

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Streaky Seedeater ★
LC

Streaky Seedeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Crithagra striolata

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Chubb's Cisticola
LC

Chubb's Cisticola

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cisticola chubbi

70–80% · Very likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

70–80% · Likely
Pied Crow
LC

Pied Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus albus

60–70% · Likely
Baglafecht Weaver
LC

Baglafecht Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ploceus baglafecht

50–60% · Likely
Variable Sunbird
LC

Variable Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cinnyris venustus

50–60% · Likely
Red-eyed Dove
LC

Red-eyed Dove

☀️🌙 Day & Night Bird

Streptopelia semitorquata

50–60% · Likely
Bronze Sunbird
LC

Bronze Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Nectarinia kilimensis

50–60% · Likely
Black Kite
LC

Black Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Milvus migrans

50–60% · Likely
Hadada
LC Endemic

Hadada

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia hagedash

40–50% · Likely
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
LC

Northern Grey-headed Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Passer griseus

40–50% · Likely
African Stonechat
LC

African Stonechat

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Saxicola torquatus

40–50% · Likely
Black-crowned Waxbill
LC

Black-crowned Waxbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Estrilda nonnula

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Coarse Chameleon ★
LC

Coarse Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trioceros rudis

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Jackson's Forest Lizard
LC

Jackson's Forest Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Adolfus jacksoni

30–40% · Possible
Johnston's Chameleon
LC

Johnston's Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trioceros johnstoni

Insufficient data
African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

Insufficient data
Uganda blue-headed tree agama
LC

Uganda blue-headed tree agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Acanthocercus ugandaensis

Insufficient data
🦎 No photo available
LC

Sparse-scaled Forest Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Congolacerta vauereselli

Insufficient data
Great Lakes Bush Viper
LC

Great Lakes Bush Viper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Atheris nitschei

Insufficient data
Montane side-striped chameleon
LC

Montane side-striped chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trioceros ellioti

Insufficient data
Kivu blue-headed tree agama
LC

Kivu blue-headed tree agama

Reptile

Acanthocercus kiwuensis

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Natal Puddle Frog
LC

Natal Puddle Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Phrynobatrachus natalensis

20–30% · Possible
Gong Rock Frog
LC Endemic

Gong Rock Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyperolius glandicolor

20–30% · Possible
African Common Toad
LC

African Common Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Sclerophrys gutturalis

Insufficient data
Kisenyi Forest Tree Frog
LC

Kisenyi Forest Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Leptopelis kivuensis

Insufficient data
Common Reed Frog
LC

Common Reed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hyperolius viridiflavus

Insufficient data
Kivu Reed Frog
LC

Kivu Reed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Hyperolius kivuensis

Insufficient data
Rugegewald Screeching Frog
LC

Rugegewald Screeching Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Arthroleptis adolfifriederici

Insufficient data
Nile Ridged Frog
LC

Nile Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena nilotica

Insufficient data
Kisolo Toad
LC

Kisolo Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Sclerophrys kisoloensis

Insufficient data
Anchieta's Ridged Frog
LC

Anchieta's Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena anchietae

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Gorilla Peak Activity Season

MayJunAug

During these months, mountain gorillas experience increased mobility and social activity across the forested slopes, aligning with optimal trekking conditions.

Eastern Gorilla
CR

Eastern Gorilla

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Gorilla beringei

80–90% · Very likely
🦎

Reptilian Basking Window

JulSep

Drier breaks in the montane weather allow unique reptiles to frequent exposed branches and rocks to thermoregulate.

Johnston's Chameleon
LC

Johnston's Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trioceros johnstoni

Insufficient data
🐦

Avian Breeding and Song Period

MarMayDec

Many resident bird species reach peak vocalization and breeding readiness, making the montane forests exceptionally vibrant for birdwatching.

Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

70–80% · Likely
Bronze Sunbird
LC

Bronze Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Nectarinia kilimensis

50–60% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Eastern Gorilla
70–80
80–90
80–90
50–60
80–90
90–100
80–90
90–100
60–70
40–50
70–80
80–90
Streaky Seedeater
70–80
90–100
90–100
70–80
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
70–80
90–100
80–90
80–90
Coarse Chameleon
80–90
80–90
80–90
50–60
60–70
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
50–60
80–90
70–80
Blue Monkey
80–90
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
Chubb's Cisticola
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
Common Bulbul
60–70
50–60
80–90
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Pied Crow
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
40–50
40–50
80–90
60–70
60–70
Baglafecht Weaver
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
Variable Sunbird
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
80–90
60–70
40–50
50–60
30–40
50–60
60–70
60–70
Red-eyed Dove
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
50–60
70–80
60–70
20–30
30–40
60–70
30–40
80–90
Bronze Sunbird
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
Black Kite
40–50
40–50
20–30
50–60
30–40
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
60–70
30–40
40–50
Hadada
30–40
30–40
50–60
40–50
20–30
30–40
50–60
30–40
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
40–50
50–60
60–70
10–20
40–50
50–60
20–30
20–30
30–40
60–70
50–60
60–70
African Stonechat
20–30
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
Black-crowned Waxbill
50–60
30–40
60–70
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
60–70
40–50
30–40
Animal Events
🦌 Gorilla Peak Activity Season
🐦 Avian Breeding and Song Period
🦎 Reptilian Basking Window

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🦍 Gorilla Families on Volcano Slopes

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
839
🐒 Mammals
254
🦎 Reptiles
154
🐸 Amphibians
51
1298 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
51 Threatened 4 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
66%
📊
Coverage (141 species at ≥5% of 1298 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
11%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (9 bird, 2 mammal, 1 reptile)
46% Global avg
54%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
116
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
5
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
24

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Volcanoes National Park?

The most likely sightings are Streaky Seedeater (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Eastern Gorilla (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Coarse Chameleon (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Blue Monkey (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Chubb's Cisticola (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 1298 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Volcanoes National Park for wildlife?

December has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Eastern Gorilla in Volcanoes National Park?

Yes — about 81% of wildlife watchers report a Eastern Gorilla sighting in Volcanoes National Park, based on 67 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Streaky Seedeater in Volcanoes National Park?

Yes — about 84% of wildlife watchers report a Streaky Seedeater sighting in Volcanoes National Park, based on 623 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Coarse Chameleon in Volcanoes National Park?

Yes — about 78% of wildlife watchers report a Coarse Chameleon sighting in Volcanoes National Park, based on 59 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Blue Monkey in Volcanoes National Park?

Yes — about 76% of wildlife watchers report a Blue Monkey sighting in Volcanoes National Park, based on 53 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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