The Volcanoes National Park also known as Parc National de Volcans (PNV) is a hub for some of the best tourism activities in Rwanda. The park itself is located in the Northern Province of Rwanda and sits on an area covering 160 Sq Km. The Volcanoes National Park was turned into a major plant and wildlife conservation areas in the early 1920’s at the same time as the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. The three parks together form what is known as the Virunga conservation region for the main purpose of protecting the endangered mountain gorillas. The arrival of Dian Fossey in the park in 1967 and establishment of the Karisoke Research Center brought more publicity to the park and led to the reduction of severe poaching. Her efforts attracted greater funding for gorilla conservation programmes and ensured the survival of the giant apes.

The Volcanoes National park has been made famous because of the endangered mountain gorillas but the mountainous landscape, green forests, lakes, rivers and a sizeable population of other wildlife also makes the park stand out. Four major volcanoes can be found in the Volcanoes National Park. They include Bisoke (3,711m), Karisimbi (4,507m), Gahinga (3,474m), Sabyinyo (3,634m) and Muhabura (4,127m). Because of the high altitudes, volcanoes and low laying areas, the park has four types of vegetation cover consisting of Bamboo on the lower slopes, Hypericum / Hagenia on the higher altitudes below 3,300m, sub-alpine vegetation at altitudes above 3,300m and Afro alpine vegetation above 4,000m.