Virunga national park is the national park found in the Eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo lying in the Albertine rift. It derives its name from a local Kinyarwanda word Ibirunga which means volcanoes. It lies on the international border between Rwanda and Congo and measures a total surface area covering 8,090 km2. It was gazetted in the 1925 making it the oldest protected area in Africa.
The national park is composed of the Virunga massif in the Eastern side as a result of tectonic forces which comprises of 8 volcanic mountains,7 of which are with in the Virunga national park. They include; Karisimbi measuring 4,507m above the sea level, Mikeno 4437, Muhabura 4,127, Bisoke 3711, Sabinyo 3671, Gahinga 3470, Nyirangongo 3470 and Nyamuragira being the smallest measuring 3058m above the sea level.
Out of these 8 volcanoes, only 2 are active volcanoes which include Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira. Its believed that Nyamuragira is rich in massive potassium shield and its erupts roughly after every 2 years making it the Africa’s and worlds most active volcano. Nyirangongo is also active and often erupts and the last eruption happened in May 2021 producing large magma flows. These volcanoes shape the national parks habitat composed of forests, bamboos, swamps, open savannah and volcanic peaks.
Virunga national park is a home to over 3000 fauna and flora recorded species and over 300 bird species endemic to the Albertine Rift. Major Mammals include; elephants, lions, buffaloes, okapis, antelopes, warthogs, pelican.it also hosts other primate species and the famous ones are; mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, olive baboons, and many different monkey species including blue monkey, golden monkey, central African red colobus, grey checked mangabeys among others
Virunga national park as a UNESCO World heritage site;
Virunga National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it hosts the continent’s most biologically diverse protected area comprising of the spectacular massifs of Virunga mountains with the most 2 volcanic mountains in Africa, and the Rwenzori ranges. This gives the Virungas with exceptional biodiversity with the endemic bird species and the endangered mountain gorillas a few remaining in the world. It falls under the governance of ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) responsible for the conservation of national parks in DRC Congo. Also Virunga Charity Foundation founded in 2005 works together ICCN to support the conservation of the national park and also work with the neighbouring communities to help them get benefits from the national park. Congo has faced a lot of instabilities that has threatened the existence of this park with a lot of poaching. Instabilities have also affected tourism activities in this area. However, the park currently is heavily guarded with over 689 Rangers to ensure the safety of tourists going into the park and ensure conservation and protection of the existing fauna and wildlife
Major tourist attractions
Gorilla trekking;
You will have an opportunity to trek the endangered few remaining gorillas in the world in Virunga national park. There are about 8 fully habituated gorillas that facilitate gorilla tracking. They include; Kabirizi, Humba, Mapuwa, Lulengo, Rugendo, Munyaga, Bageni and Nyakamwe. The cost is $400 per day and can be booked directly with the Virunga national park or through your reliable tour operator. Gorilla tracking takes between 2 to 6 hours depending on the movement of the gorilla family you are tracking. Your guides will brief you before the activity on the dos and don’ts regarding gorilla trekking.
Birding;
Virunga national park hosts over 300 birds some are endemic and other non endemic which offer a good working experience to the bird lovers. Some of the existing birds include the following; Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis,Kivu ground thrush, red throated alethe,mountain masked apalis,collared apalis,Archer’s ground robin, Rwenzori batis, thrush, dusky crimson-wing, red faced woodland warbler, blue headed sun bird, African olive pigeon, African hobby, African olive pigeon, red eyed dove among many other species.
Chimpanzee trekking;
Virunga national park is a home to chimpanzees commonly found in Rumagambo sector in Mahura forest. You can book directly with the Virunga national park or through your reliable tour operator. You will have a chance to see other species of primates including olive baboons, white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys among others.
Volcano climbing.
Volcanoes national park is composed of the Virunga massif that has 8 volcanoes, and 7 of them found in this national park. Only 2 out of 7 are active volcanoes that roughly erupt every after 2 years. The 2 active volcanoes are Nyirangongo which last erupted in May 2021 creating large larva fluids flowing and then Nyamuragira. You will embark on mountain climbing to one of the volcanoes or more than one depending on your fitness. These volcanoes will give you with spectacular beautiful scenery which you will enjoy while on your hike. Sabinyo peak stands with the boundaries of 3 countries and standing on its peak will give you an opportunity to be in 3 countries on Rwanda, Congo and Uganda at the same time.
Guided Nature walk
You can embark on guided nature walk to explore the park on foot which takes between 2 to 3 hours. Virunga national park gives spectacular views with its beautiful scenery with its Virunga massif,wetlands,grasslands.The park is composed of over 2,077 plant species which include; 264 tree species and 230 plants that are endemic to the Albertine Rift.
Accommodation in the park
Virunga National Park offers a wide range of accommodation ranging from budget, midrange to luxury that suit the interests of all the market. Some of them include; Mikeno Lodge, Lulimbi tented camp, Kibumba tented camp, Mt. Nyiragongo Summit Shelters and Bukima tented Camp.
Access to Virunga National Park.
The park is located in the eastern part of DRC making travel by road challenging. When it rains, access becomes very difficult even in the few existing roads. As such, flying to Kigali International Airport and then connect by road through Gisenyi town would be the best option. It takes about 2 hours from Gisenyi to Bukima where the park headquarters are located. Travelers through Uganda would cross to DR Congo through Bunagana boarder post in Kisoro town and it takes about 1 hour to reach Bukima headquarters.
