Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park, the oldest national park on the continent, is also its most biologically diverse. Despite challenges that the park has faced from poachers and refugee settlement in its recent past, today the 3000-square mile park is a tourist mecca and home to 25% of the world’s remaining silverback gorilla population. During the Rwandan genocide of 1994, almost one million refugees sought asylum in the park grounds, putting intense pressure on the wildlife population and stretching the local capacity to accommodate more people. Later, in 2007, a mafia group seeking de-nationalization of the grounds murdered 9 mountain gorillas in the hope that, without the gorillas, the government would see no reason to protect the park. Today, the park is peaceful, thanks to the hard work of park rangers and conservation groups, and is an essential stop on your Rwanda tour.
One example of conservation efforts in the park is the Senkwekwe Orphan Mountain Gorilla Center near the Virunga park Headquarters. This center provides medical care to gorillas that are hurt or have been isolated in a guarded enclosure. Today, four orphaned gorillas live at Senkwekwe. It is important that visitors realize the value of conservation, because many species of animals in the park are highly endangered. Due to many years of poaching, the park’s original elephant population of 3,000 has now become only 400, and only 95 total mountain gorillas remain in the park. By going gorilla tracking in Virungas National Park, you will contribute to conservation efforts that will allow your children and their children to be able to see the wonders of the African wilderness in real life, and not only on TV.
Today, Virungas National Park is unique in the world that it contains all four great apes: orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and, on your arrival, humans. The forests, grasslands, lava plains, and wetlands also contain forest elephants, lions, okapi, and hippos, as well as a wide range of fish and birds. The park is divided into three sectors: north, central, and south. The north sector contains the Rwenzori mountains, whose snowmelt feeds into the Nile River; the okapi also lives here in the Seliki River Valley. In the central section, visitor can visit Lake Edward, filled with over 50 kinds of fish and as many and more types of fowl. The Rwindi Plains of this region are home to buffalo, topi, warthogs, and elephants, and you can visit hippos in the Ishasha River Valley. Finally, in the southern region is where visitors can find mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, in the dense forests of the Virungas. In this region also lies the towering Mikeno Volcano, offering a challenging climb to 4380 m above sea level.
Virungas National Park also is home to the Nuiragongo Volcano, a famous hike ending in a view of a bubbling lava pit at the summit crater. Brave the cold mountain winds with hot drinks and a warm fire near your cabin at the top. Afterwards, you can visit Nyamulagira Volcano, the most active volcano on the continent. It has erupted more than 40 times since the late 1800s, most recently in 2011.
Virunga National Park Explore the wonders of the Congo with thrilling gorilla trekking experiences, unforgettable tours, and exhilarating safaris that promise to immerse you in the heart of nature.
Virunga National Park stands out as one of the most diverse destinations in Africa. Renowned for thrilling mountain gorilla trekking and unforgettable gorilla tours. Nearly a significant portion of the wildlife found in Sub Saharan Africa is gathered within this park. This park is home to two lively volcanoes. Virunga National Park has faced numerous challenges due to political conflicts in the DRC, yet it continues to endure and thrive against the odds. Founded in 1925 by King Albert I of Belgium, it was originally named Albert National Park. It was mainly designated to safeguard the endangered Mountain Gorillas, which also inhabit Uganda and Rwanda. It exists solely due to the emergence of gorilla trekking and gorilla safaris as vibrant pursuits. Following Congo’s independence in 1960, the park fell into decline, mirroring the struggles of the nation. It was not until the early 70s that the president took an interest in conservation, leading to the park’s revival and its renaming as Virunga National Park. The park spans approximately 7800 sq km, extending from the Virunga Mountains in the south to the Rwenzori in the north. The park boasts an impressive array of birds, mammals, and reptiles, standing out among all other protected areas in Africa. Among the remarkable inhabitants are the chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, giraffes, buffaloes, and a host of others.
Ways to reach Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park lies in the heart of Eastern DR Congo. Traveling by road to Virunga presents its own set of challenges, particularly when compared to the rest of DR Congo, with Goma Town being just 32km away. Numerous explorers heading to Virunga National Park arrive at Kigali International Airport, journey by road through the vibrant town of Gisenyi, and traverse the rugged dirt road into Goma in DR Congo. The journey from Gisenyi to the park headquarters at Bukima takes about 2 hours by car. Adventurers from Uganda make their way across the Bunagana border post in Kisoro town and embark on an hour-long drive to Bukima, the gateway to the thrilling mountain gorilla trek. Ethiopian Airways offers a weekly flight to Goma. The park provides exclusive transportation for adventurers landing at Goma Airport. Consult with Virunga National Park for the most exciting travel options into the park. At times, adventurers might require the assistance of ranger escorts to navigate their way to the most exciting tourism zones.
Major Attractions in Virunga National Park Climate; The Virunga conservancy is a dream destination for many travelers, offering delightful warm weather and gentle showers. The equator line traverses the Virunga, bringing along warm temperatures. Certain areas of the Virunga rise to lofty heights, where the air is perpetually cool and invigorating. The Virunga volcanic soils brim with nutrients that foster vibrant plant growth, while the ideal temperatures promote swift development. The expansive water bodies, including Lakes Kivu, Edward, and Albert, along with various smaller lakes and the majestic Rivers Congo, Nile, and Semliki, offer refreshing breezes that create the perfect setting for thrilling water activities. The combination of these elements creates an enjoyable blend of tropical and equatorial climate, featuring an average rainfall of 190 mm (7.5 in). Mean temperatures range from 23–28 °C (73–82 °F) in the lowlands, while at higher altitudes, they fall between 16–24 °C (61–75 °F). From March to May and September to November, expect heavy rainfall and significantly cooler night temperatures. The climate invites wanderers to embark on journeys and discover the wonders of Virunga attractions year-round.
The diverse array of wildlife species and the striking impressions of their populations captivate travelers exploring Virunga National Park. A blend of delightful weather, nutrient-rich soils, and a scarcity of visitors has enabled Virunga to stay untouched and pristine, inviting exploration and discovery of its vibrant wildlife. The conservancy teems with a diverse array of wildlife, showcasing a vibrant tapestry of plant life. It is home to nearly 2,077 plant species, including 264 tree varieties, while 230 of the grasses, shrubs, and plants are unique to the Albertine Rift. Swamp and wetland vegetation encircle the water bodies, leading to expansive grasslands, lush woodlands, vibrant rainforests, towering montane forests, rugged heath, and breathtaking alpine landscapes in the highlands. The Virunga stands out as a premier travel destination for those eager to roam through vibrant greenery, seeking to uncover the hidden wonders of the African wilderness.
Mammals; The Virunga captivates with breathtaking beauty, showcasing a remarkable variety of terrain, land features, vegetation, and plant species. The Virunga National Park offers an extraordinary environment for a variety of mammal species. The 2012 wildlife census revealed an impressive array of 218 mammal species, including 22 primates, alongside 706 bird species, 109 reptiles, and 65 amphibian species. Adventurers venturing into Virunga can choose from a variety of exhilarating experiences, including wildlife observation on game drives, immersive nature walks, invigorating hikes, scenic boat cruises, or trekking through the enchanting forest. In the vast expanses of open grasslands and shimmering waters, one can encounter remarkable mammals such as elephants, buffalos, lions, hippopotamuses, leopards, okapis, bongos, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks, blue duikers, bay duikers, yellow-backed duikers, red river hogs, giant forest hogs, topis, aardvarks, kobs, and a plethora of other fascinating creatures. The rainforests, montane forests, and alpine vegetation offer thrilling opportunities to encounter various primate species. Adventurous travelers exploring the lush rainforests in search of mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are likely to come across a variety of fascinating primates, including red-tailed monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, blue monkeys, golden monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, Central African red colobus, mantled guereza, grey-cheeked mangabeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and olive baboons. Nile crocodiles and monitor lizards frequently make appearances along the shores of Lakes Edward and Albert and the Semliki River.
Exciting experiences in Virunga National Park
Embark on an exhilarating journey to encounter mountain gorillas; remember that the Virunga massif, stretching into Rwanda and Uganda, is the sole sanctuary for these magnificent creatures on our planet. Exploring the majestic mountain gorillas in Virunga is one of the most exhilarating experiences for travelers in DR Congo. In Virunga National Park, the number of Mountain gorillas is limited, even with the vast expanse of their habitat, and only six families are available for tourism activities. The Kabirizi family is well-known among travelers embarking on gorilla trekking safaris in DR Congo. Kabirizi is a formidable silverback polygamist, leading the largest family of gorillas, which boasts nearly three dozen members.
exciting experiences
Chimpanzee tracking and habituation offer an exhilarating experience; these safaris have become the second most sought-after tourism activity in the Virunga since their inception in 1987 by the Frankfurt Zoological Society for research study purposes. Travelers venture into the rainforests, eagerly searching for families of chimpanzees that remain undisturbed by the inquisitive gazes of explorers. Adventurous travelers observing chimpanzees are limited to an exciting one-hour interaction with these fascinating creatures. Chimpanzee habituation exercise is an exhilarating travel experience that offers adventurers a full day of unrestricted engagement with families of chimpanzees. The chimpanzee habituation teams embark at dawn, venturing into the lush rainforests in search of chimpanzees as they emerge from their nests. They dedicate the entire day to observing and uncovering the fascinating behaviors of these creatures, continuing their exploration until evening, when the chimpanzees construct their nests for the night.
exciting experiences
Nature walks; Virunga National Park is a lush tropical rainforest brimming with thick vegetation. Yet, certain areas are alive with woodland, grassland, and swamp. Travelers embarking on a safari to Virunga begin their day with a morning trek into the wild, ready to uncover the stunning beauty of the landscape and the vast expanse of nature that surrounds them. A well-marked trail network guides explorers to hidden gems, where astonishing views and extraordinary sounds of nature await.
destinations
The Nyiragongo hike in Virunga National Park offers an exhilarating experience in a destination rich with breathtaking landscapes. Nyiragongo is an active volcano featuring a constantly bubbling lava lake, offering a thrilling spectacle of nature’s power throughout the year. Hiking to the summit of Nyiragongo and witnessing the raw power of nature as boiling molten lava erupts from the earth’s crust is an experience that is truly extraordinary and only for the brave. The Nyiragongo hiking safari challenges the courage of travelers and presents a unique chance to ignite their spirit of exploration.
exciting experiences
Landscape viewing; Virunga National Park is a travel destination brimming with stunning vistas that captivate countless explorers. From the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains to the active Nyiragongo volcano, the landscape is a tapestry of extinct volcanic mountains, craters, and the rift valley. With its clear water bodies, lush rainforests, and expansive savanna grasslands, Virunga is a paradise for every nature enthusiast. Hiking, photography, and sightseeing safaris are immensely popular, offering travelers exhilarating experiences like never before.
exciting places
Bird watching; Virunga boasts a diverse array of habitats, including mountains, rainforests, open grasslands, swamps and marshes, water bodies, and rift valleys. These draw in a variety of bird species, boasting over 706 recorded sightings. The bird watching expeditions in Virunga hold immense promise, yet the opportunities remain largely untapped at this time. Grey throated barbet, Madagascar bee-eater, Narrow-tailed starling, Ruwenzori turaco, African fish eagle, and many others frequently make an appearance.
Accommodation Options in Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo provides a diverse selection of accommodations, from budget-friendly options to midrange and luxurious suites that cater to your financial needs. Here are some of the accommodation facilities available at Virunga National Park:
Mikeno Lodge, Lulimbi Tented Camp, Tchegera Island Camp, Kibumba Tented Camp, Bukima Tented Camp, and Mt Nyiragongo Summit Shelters
Accommodation Options in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Exploring Congo presents an opportunity to discover Kahuzi Beiga, where this national park provides various options for accommodation;
Mont Kahuzi Hotel, Lakeside Hotel Bukavu Camp, Exodus Bukavu Camp, Hotel Begonias, Lodge Coco, and Orchids Safari Club
Excursions to Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park presents an array of exhilarating trips that include: 5 Days of Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hiking in Congo (Mikeno Mist), a 3-Day Nyiragongo hike from and back to Kigali, an 8-Day adventure through Virunga PNV and Bwindi, a 6-Day journey featuring Virunga, Nyiragongo, and Kahuzi Biega, a 3-Day Gorilla Safari, a 3-Day Nyiragongo Hike, a 4-Day Lowland Gorilla Tracking experience, a 5-Day exploration of Virunga, Nyiragongo, and Kahuzi Biega, a 4-Day combination of Gorillas and Nyiragongo, a 5-Day expedition through Virunga and Bwindi, and a 5-Day adventure with Congo and Rwanda Gorillas.