Virunga National Park Congo, Facts, Gorillas & Photos – Maranatha
Virunga National Park is undoubtedly the most biodiverse protected area in Africa, a destination with more than 1000 mammal species including a third of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas, reptiles, birds and amphibians.
It is one African safari destination that any nature lover should consider a must-visit to enjoy authentic wilderness experiences.
Location, Size, and Establishment of Virunga National Park;
Virunga National Park is found along the Eastern edge of the D. R. Congo, home to the world’s 2nd biggest tropical rainforest. This Park extend up to 7800sq.km and boasts of its diverse habitats that range from the Rwenzori peaks to savanna as well as Volcanic plains.
It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site with diversity of habitat where its abundant floral and faunal species are inhabited. The Virunga National Park was officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its ecological significance but remains one of the untapped destinations.
Virunga was officially gazetted as a National Park in 1925 which makes it one of Africa’s oldest Parks. It was originally founded as Albert National Park and the primary reason for its establishment was to provide refuge to the rare mountain gorillas, unique species that also survive in some parts of Uganda and Rwanda.
Virunga National Park prides itself of diverse habitats and ecosystems including the tropical rainforest, block mountain, Virunga volcanoes, swamps, woodland, open grasslands and wetland vegetation, Albertine rift, craters lakes. Bordering Virunga Park are some of the Ugandan National Parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Rwenzori Mountains and Semuliki National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
In Rwanda, Virunga Park lies adjacent to Volcanoes National Park, an important home to both the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
Amazing Tourist Attractions to explore in Virunga National Park:
Virunga National Park features a range of exceptional tourist attractions including wildlife, active volcanoes, birds, and others. Here are some of the amazing tourist attractions to explore on Congo safari in Virunga Park;
Wildlife
Virunga Park is known for its abundant faunal and floral species. The park is home to over 2077 plant life and 264 of which comprise of tree species, 230 grasses, shrubs and Albertine rift endemic species.
It also protects swamp and wetland vegetation, woodland, grasslands, montane forests, heath and alpine vegetation especially in its highland areas. It is a must-visit destination for you to explore unique vegetation that make it such a lush protected area.
Birds
Over 706 species of birds survive within the Virunga National Park and include several endemic species. The bird species to identify on birding excursion in Virunga include the red-faced woodland warblers, mountain masked apalis, Rwenzori turacos, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird,
Archer’s ground robin, red-throated alethe, Kivu ground thrush, Shelley’s crimson wings, blue headed sunbird, handsome spur fowl, dusky crimson wing, thick billed canary, Northern grey headed sparrow, cinnamon breasted bunting, brown thrush babblers, flappet lark, blue crested flycatchers,
Yellow crested helmet shrike, wahlberg’s honeybird, temminck’s courser, narrow tailed starling, purple indigobird, African paradise flycatcher, brown throated wattle eye, lanner falcon, blue cheeked bee-eaters, mosque swallows, moustached grass warblers, mountain wagtail, snowy-crowned robin chat,
Eastern mountain greenbul, stout cisticolars, willow warblers, bracken warblers, fawn breasted waxbills, and spectacled weaver bird, Mozambique nightjars,
Mammals
Over 218 species of mammals live in Virunga National Park, 22 of which are primates.
The park’s diverse mammal species include the endangered mountain gorillas, red-tailed monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, De Brazza’s monkeys, olive baboons, red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red river hogs, warthogs, bongos, okapis, lions, hippos, buffaloes, elephants, giant forest hogs, Kobs, topis, aardvark, yellow backed duikers, blue duikers, bushbucks, bay duikers and others.
In addition to mammals, Virunga Park also inhabits over 109 reptiles including the Nile crocodiles, and 65 species of amphibians.
montagu’s harriers, red knobbed coot, and white fronted plover, etc.
Top things to do in Virunga National Park
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is amazingly the key highlight of any Virunga National Park safari. The Park is known to offer unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experiences. It is one of the 4 Parks on planet earth where the unique mountain gorillas only live.
The Park protects about a third of the world’s 1063 mountain gorillas with over 8 habituated gorilla families all available for tourists to explore.
The gorilla families in Virunga include Humba, Bageni, Mapuwa, Kabirizi, Munyaga, Rugendo, Nyakamwe, and Lulengo gorilla family groups. On a single day, each of these habituated gorilla families can be trekked by a maximum of 8 visitors.
The actual gorilla trek includes an early morning briefing about guidelines to be followed while on gorilla trekking, allocation of gorilla groups and park ranger guides, etc.
Note, Virunga National Park is interestingly, a budget-friendly destination. A single gorilla permit for gorilla trekking in Virunga can be booked at USD 400 per person, which you can book through the local tour operator.
Chimpanzee habituation/trekking
Chimpanzee safaris should be a must do for anyone planning to embark on Congo safaris to Virunga Safari Park. Embark on a walk through the rainforest in search for chimpanzee communities in Virunga.
Most of the chimps in this Park are for research and you can go for normal trek or full day walk during chimpanzee habituation exercise with the team of park trackers/scientists.
Hike the powerful volcanoes
One of the world’s most powerful volcano –Mount Nyiragongo lies right within Virunga National Park. It is the most explored volcano in the Virunga region and you need at least 3-4 days to have your complete hiking adventure. Other volcanoes worth exploring in Virunga Park include Mount Nyamuragira and Mikeno.
Birding
Virunga Park is a significant birding destination in Africa, home to over 706 species of birds. The park has diverse habitats offering refuge to diverse bird species right from open grassland, rainforests, swamps, marshes, rift valleys and others.
A birding tour in Virunga Park allows you look out for birds such as African fish eagles, Madagascar bee-eaters, grey throated barbets, Rwenzori turacos, narrow tailed starling, to mention but a few.
Nature walks
A guided walk in and around Virunga is a perfect opportunity for you to unearth its hidden treasures. Different trails lead you to enriching habitats in Virunga National Park and higher chances are you will come across colorful butterflies, flora and some primates.
Best time to visit Virunga National Park;
Virunga National Park is a tropical rainforest, an area known to experience rains at any time of the day/year. To experience the best of Virunga, the dry season is the most preferred time and it runs from June to September, December to February.
It is during the dry months when the park records low or even no rains and its forest floor remains relatively drier making it easier for tourists to trek through in search for mountain gorillas or while on Nyiragongo hike.
Where to stay at Virunga National Park?
A wide selection of accommodation option exist inside and nearby Virunga National Park for you to consider for overnight stay. They comprise of budget, midrange and luxury.
Virunga’s comfortable lodges to book for your overnight stay include among others Mount Nyiragongo Summit Shelters, Lulimbi Tented Camp, Mikeno Lodge, Bukima Tented Camp, Tchegera Island Camp and Kibumba Tented Camp.
Access to Virunga in D.R. Congo
Virunga Gorilla Park lies in Eastern D.R. Congo and is accessible by road or by air. By road, there are multiple options to connect up to this protected area for a holiday.
You can fly up to Kigali in Rwanda and connect to Virunga Park via Gisenyi town then cross to Goma which is 32 km to the park. From Gisenyi, you can spend at least 2 hours driving to Bukima Park headquarters.
From Uganda, you cross to Virunga via Bunagana border. By air, fly from Kigali airport or direct from your home country to Goma Airport, then you can be transferred by road up to the lodge in or around Virunga National Park.