Virunga national park in Congo

Why have a visit at Virunga National park?

A lot of people find a hard time to choose their destination in the African countries due to lack of knowledge about the attractions. Here is one of the destinations that will make your journey to Africa more memorable and un forgettable. Virunga national park is a national park in the Albertine rift valley in the eastern part of the democratic republic of Congo. The park is one of the first conserved areas in Africa created in 1925. It ranges from 680m in the Semuliki river valley to 5,109m in the Rwenzori mountains.

Virunga National park covers and area of 8,090km² encompassing two active volcanoes – Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira which significantly form the national park’s habitats and wildlife. The park also habitats more than 3,000 faunal and floral species, primate species, mammals, reptiles and also bird species. Among the interesting activities in Virunga national park include the following;

Gorilla trekking.

Virunga National park is among the national parks in Africa with the protecting the remaining endangered mountain gorillas that is Volcanoes National park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National park in Uganda and Virunga National park in Congo. Gorilla trekking is one of the life time experience to many travelers since it gives them a chance to spend time with these endangered apes face to face. Virunga national park currently has six gorilla families for trekking with the largest family having about 40 members. Kabirizi family is the most trekked family by the travelers.

Primate trekking like the chimpanzees.

This is another activity that most travelers to Congo experience. Besides chimpanzees, the park also encounters about 22 others primates including olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, colobus monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey and others. Also, the park is a home to other mammals like African bush elephant, hippopotamus, African buffalo and others.

Birding.

Enjoy viewing different bird species in Virunga national park since the park has about 706 bird species including the endemic ones like Rwenzori turaco, red-throated alethe, kivu ground thrush, blue headed sunbird, regal sunbird and the non-endemic ones like African hobby, harrier hawk, common buzzard, mountain buzzard, black billed turaco and others. Sight the different beautiful colors of these birds and also enjoy listening to their song like sounds.

Reptiles.

Since river Semliki crosses through Virunga national park, the traveler gets a high chance to view a numerous population of reptiles especially the Nile crocodiles.

Nature walks.

Enjoy a breathtaking beauty of the tropical rainforest of Virunga national park when having a guided nature walk.  During the walk, view the different tree species and also the beautiful bird species in the rainforests.

Nyiragongo hike

Virunga national park is blessed with two active volcanoes and Nyiragongo is one of them. This is an active volcano where volcanic eruption goes in the Lava and hiking to the top of it and observe the experience is a great opportunity and also very adventurous to all travelers

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Accommodation facilities at Virunga national park

Virunga national park offers a wide range of accommodations that fits the budget system of every traveler ranging from budget, mid -range and luxury suites. Among the accommodations include; Lulimba tented camo, Mt. Nyiragongo summit shelters, Bukima tented camp, Kibumba tented camp and others.

How to get to Virunga National park

The park is located east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The easiest way to reach the park is by the use of air transport. Travelers fly to Kigali international airport and then connect by road through Gisenyi town and after connect to Goma by dirt road. The drive from Gisenyi is about 2-hours to reach the park headquarters which are located at Bukima. The best way to reach the park is y seeking guidance from Virunga national park.