What it is
The Rwandan share of the Virunga massif — volcanoes shared with Uganda and the DRC, forest running from around 2,400m upwards. Park headquarters at Kinigi is roughly two hours from Kigali on tarmac.
Why go
One hour with a gorilla family. Treks here are on average shorter and less punishing than Bwindi's, but average covers everything from a forty-minute walk to a five-hour climb, and you do not get to choose which you draw. Golden monkeys make a good, cheaper second morning, and the hike to Dian Fossey's grave at the old Karisoke site is a serious half-day on its own.
When to go
June to September and December to February for drier trails. The altitude is real: the briefing is already above 2,300m and you climb from there, so if you flew in from sea level two days ago, take the first day gently. Hire a porter. Wear gaiters or tuck your trousers into your socks — the stinging nettles here are ferocious.
Most people stay 2-3 nights.