Volcanoes Safaris

Name

Volcanoes Safaris

Legal name

Volcanoes UK Limited

Website

https://volcanoessafaris.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Safari Tourism

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Safari & Wilderness Luxury Resorts (THAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Safari & Wildlife Travel Agencies (THAKAFAG), Rainforest & Jungle Lodges (THAGAIAD), Safari Lodges & Tented Camps (THAAAHAC)

Keywords

• Luxury safari packages
• Gorilla trekking safaris
• Eco-lodge accommodation
• Wildlife conservation tourism
• Tailormade safari experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Safari Packages: All-inclusive tailormade safari packages combining accommodation, meals, activities, permits, and premium drinks. Pricing varies by season (high/low) and safari duration (4-11 nights). Rates are per person with single traveler supplements.
2. Lodge Accommodation: Individual lodge bookings at five properties: Virunga Lodge (Rwanda), Bwindi Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, and Kibale Lodge (all Uganda). Includes all-inclusive premium drinks, meals, and activities.
3. Permit Fees: Revenue from gorilla and chimpanzee permits embedded within safari packages. Gorilla permits approximately $800-$1500 per person, chimpanzee permits approximately $100 per person. Permits are included in package pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Volcanoes Safaris operates five company-owned luxury lodges (Virunga Lodge in Rwanda and Bwindi Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, and Kibale Lodge in Uganda) near gorilla and chimpanzee parks. The company curates and sells all-inclusive tailormade safari packages of 4 to 11 nights combining lodge stays, primate trekking permits, meals, premium drinks, wildlife activities, and conservation/community experiences.

Product overview

Volcanoes Safaris is a portfolio of five classic safari lodges (Virunga Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, and Kibale Lodge) complemented by eleven curated safari packages ranging from 4 to 11 nights. The company specializes exclusively in gorilla and chimpanzee ecotourism across Uganda and Rwanda, offering tailormade safari experiences that combine wildlife tracking with community and conservation activities. The lodges and safaris are interconnected through the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust, a non-profit initiative funding community projects and conservation monitoring programs. Safari packages incorporate stays at multiple lodges, primate trekking permits, and access to unique experiences like the Dian Fossey Map Room, Batwa cultural visits, and lion monitoring activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT): A non-profit organisation established in 2009 that connects Volcanoes' Rwanda and Uganda lodges to neighbouring communities and conservation activities.

Products and services

• Virunga Lodge The Original Gorilla Lodge in Rwanda, located near Parc National des Volcans where Dian Fossey conducted her research. Features eight guest bandas with views of the Virunga volcanoes and the Dian Fossey Map Room, serving travelers seeking gorilla trekking experiences.
• Bwindi Lodge The Jungle Gorilla Lodge in Uganda, located near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park with access to four gorilla families. Features traditional bandas with Afro-chic decor for travelers undertaking gorilla trekking safaris.
• Mount Gahinga Lodge The Batwa Culture and Gorilla Lodge in Uganda, opened in 2002 as the first lodge built by Volcanoes Safaris. Offers treks to the Nyakagezi gorilla family, golden monkey tracking, and cultural experiences with the Batwa community.
• Kyambura Gorge Lodge The Chimpanzee and Wildlife Lodge in Uganda, built as part of the Kyambura Gorge Ecotourism Project. Features eight guest bandas overlooking the savanna or Kyambura gorge, with a direct private footpath for chimpanzee trekking.
• Kibale Lodge The newest chimpanzee lodge in Uganda, near Kibale National Park, the 'Primate Capital of the World'. Features bandas with panoramic views of the Rwenzori Mountains, serving travelers seeking chimpanzee trekking.
• 11-night VS Signature 30 Years Safari Flagship anniversary safari combining chimp trekking at Kibale, chimps and savanna at Kyambura, gorilla trekking at Bwindi and Virunga, and golden monkeys at Virunga. High season 2026 priced at $26,180 per person sharing.
• 10-night Primates of the Great Rift Valley Safari Comprehensive safari covering Uganda and Rwanda with primate experiences including gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. High season 2026 priced at $18,680 per person sharing; low season at $13,895.
• 7-night Dian Fossey Gorilla Safari Safari focused on gorilla experiences with visits to Dian Fossey sites, gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, and volcano climbing. High season 2026 priced at $14,300 per person sharing.
• 7-night Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari Combined safari featuring both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experiences across Uganda's national parks. High season 2026 priced at $12,770 per person sharing.
• 7-night Chimpanzee Safari in Uganda Uganda-focused safari with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest and Kyambura Gorge, including fireside chat with Kibale Chimpanzee Project primatologists.
• 7-night Great Ape Conservation Safari in Uganda Conservation-focused safari with community and conservation activities including gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, and volcano climbing in Uganda.
• 7-night Iconic Great Apes Safari Safari featuring multiple great ape experiences across Uganda and Rwanda with a complimentary Virunga Lodge night.
• 7 Night Kibale Bwindi Safari Safari combining chimpanzee experiences at Kibale with gorilla trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
• 9-night Classic Uganda Safari Extended Uganda safari covering multiple parks with chimpanzee experiences, community projects, and wildlife viewing.
• 4-night Virunga Gorilla Safari Short intensive gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda's Parc National des Volcans. High season 2026 priced at $10,325 per person sharing.
• Big Cat Photography Safari with Dr Alexander Braczkowski Specialized photography safari led by conservation biologist Dr Alexander Braczkowski, focusing on lion monitoring and big cat photography in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) Non-profit organization established in 2009 connecting Volcanoes' Rwanda and Uganda lodges to neighboring communities and conservation activities. Funded by a $50 per guest per night contribution and external grants, registered as a charity in Uganda (Registration number 37536).
• Kyambura Lion Monitoring Project Wildlife monitoring project launched in August 2023 collecting data on lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas in Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area using vehicles and camera traps. Led by Dr Alexander Braczkowski.
• Gahinga Batwa Village Permanent village settlement for the Mgahinga Batwa Community, built on 10 acres of purchased land with homes, community center, and agricultural areas for 28 Batwa families comprising over 130-147 people.
• Dian Fossey Map Room at Virunga Lodge Permanent exhibition at Virunga Lodge charting 'Explorers and Conservationists of the Virunga Volcanoes' from 1850 to 1985, opened 2 March 2017. Includes gorilla and chimpanzee artifacts, maps, and paintings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 mountain gorillas remain in the wild; Volcanoes Safaris supports their conservation through VSPT.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jane Goodall Institute UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Long-term partnership for supporting the threatened chimpanzee population at Kyambura Gorge. Collaboration with Uganda Wildlife Authority reinforces community-led conservation and ecotourism development centered around the Kyambura Gorge landscape.
• Empowers AfricacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFiscal sponsor providing tax-deductible donation pathway for US residents contributing to Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust projects.
• Gorilla DoctorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partners providing fireside chats at Virunga, Mount Gahinga, and Bwindi lodges on gorilla health and conservation strategies.
• Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner for gorilla research and protection. Guests can visit the Ellen Degeneres Campus and enjoy behind-the-scenes tours.
• Conservation Through Public HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners for gorilla conservation programs at Bwindi. Kevin James serves on Board of Directors as of January 2025.
• Jane Goodall Institute - Roots & Shoots ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth leadership program building women leaders in conservation, partnered with VSPT Community Centre.
• Felix Holland - Studio FH ArchitectsminorOthersProvided pro bono advice on site and design for Gahinga Batwa Village construction.
• Dan Krueger - PuddlejumpminorOthersConsulted on indigenous tourism aspects for Batwa community projects.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sanctuary Retreats: Sanctuary Retreats operates luxury safari lodges and river cruises across Africa, including properties in Uganda, making it a broader incumbent competitor for Volcanoes Safaris' gorilla and chimpanzee itineraries.
• &Beyond: &Beyond is a large luxury safari and tour operator across Africa with conservation-led lodges; it competes with Volcanoes Safaris for high-net-worth eco-tourists and has overlapping community and conservation positioning.
• One&Only Gorilla's Nest: One&Only Gorilla's Nest is a luxury branded resort in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park operated by Kerzner International, targeting the same high-end gorilla trekking segment as Volcanoes Safaris but as part of a wider global luxury portfolio.
• Mantis Collection: Mantis Collection runs a portfolio of luxury and eco-focused lodges across Africa, with conservation partnerships; it overlaps with Volcanoes Safaris at the luxury eco-tourism tier and competes for similar conservation-minded travellers.

Direct peers

• Wilderness Safaris: Wilderness Safaris operates luxury safari camps across East and Southern Africa, including Bisate Lodge in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda — directly competing with Volcanoes Safaris' gorilla trekking offering for the same high-net-worth travellers.
• Asilia Africa: Asilia Africa operates community-owned and conservation-focused safari camps in East Africa, including properties in Uganda and Rwanda, overlapping Volcanoes Safaris' eco-luxury and community-engagement model.
• Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge: Located on the edge of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is a community-owned luxury gorilla trekking lodge directly competing with Virunga Lodge for the same gorilla permit inventory and guest profile.
• Governors' Camp Collection: Governors' Camp is an established East Africa luxury safari operator that owns Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge in Rwanda, directly competing with Volcanoes Safaris in gorilla trekking and offering comparable community-owned lodge models.
• Great Plains Conservation: Great Plains Conservation runs conservation-led luxury safari camps in East and Southern Africa with strong rhino and predator programmes, sharing Volcanoes Safaris' high-net-worth, conservation-impact-led positioning.
• Singita: Singita operates ultra-luxury conservation-led safari lodges in Africa, including Singita Kwitonda Lodge in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, putting it head-to-head with Volcanoes Safaris' Virunga Lodge in the gorilla-tourism niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VolcanoesSafari
• Facebookfacebook.com/volcanoessafaris
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/volcanoes-safaris

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Volcanoes Safaris