Virunga National Park is located in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley (Albertine Rift Valley).
It was established in 1925 as Albert national park to primarily protect the Mountain gorillas. This makes it Africa’s Oldest National Park and protected area. The park covers a land area of 8,090 square kilometers. Its highest elevation is at 5,109 meters above sea level in the Rwenzori Mountain peak (Margherita).
Virunga National Parks’ lowest point is at 680 meters above sea level in the Semuliki Valley. The park has four main sectors that are the northern, Southern, central, and lake sectors.
The Southern sector is the most famous one with the forested Virunga mountains that are home to the mountain gorillas. The park has 5 of the eight Virunga Mountains making an outstanding safari destination.
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Discovery Journeys To Virunga national park
The central sector is unique with savanna wildlife species. It covers the areas around Lake Edward and the Ishasha river areas. The Lake sector comprises the lake system in the park. Virunga National Parks northern sector also has open savannas and the mountain range areas of the Rwenzoris.
Virunga National Park is part of the great Virunga conservation area that comprises 8 Volcanic mountains. Two of these mountains are active (Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira) with mount Nyiragongo having last erupted in 2020. Others include Mount Mikeno, Mount Karisimbi, and Bisoke along the Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo Border. Mount Sabyinyo lies along Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo border.
These mountains are home to diverse wildlife species including the rare and endangered mountain gorillas. It is because of this diversity that the park was listed as a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and cultural organization in 1979. Virunga Mountains safaris feature Great Apes expeditions, birding, mountain climbing and other adventures. Virunga Gorilla trekking is the most famous of all as people desire to meet mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.
The park area has unfortunately over the years been having insecurity issues including civil wars. Many wildlife rangers at the park have lost lives in their stand to fight and protect the wildlife especially the mountain gorillas. This prompted the closure of the park until the safety of the rangers and tourists is restored. The park has been on the list of World Heritage in danger since 1994. Virunga Mountains Safaris will resume when the park is safe and reopened for tourism.
Wildlife in Virunga National Park
Virunga is home to over 218 mammals including forest and savanna elephants, Mountain gorillas, lions, and Hippos among others. The park has about 706 bird species, and 109 reptile species the highest of any protected area on the continent. It is also home to over 78 amphibian species and 22 primates including eastern chimpanzees and several monkey species.
Because of the insecurity issues and poor transportation network in the Congo, It is only the southern sector that is often visited. This area comprises the Virunga Mountains that are home to mountain gorillas. Virunga gorilla trekking is enjoyable as you hike to meet one of the 10 habituated gorilla families the park has.
The northern and central sectors even though they are beautiful with diverse wildlife they are somehow isolated and less explored. Virunga National Park is currently closed because of insecurity issues. Virunga Mountains Safaris to the southern sector are also not possible at the moment.
Activities in Virunga National Park
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
The mountain gorilla population is currently estimated at 1100 individuals. Virunga National Park has a reasonable number of these with the rest in Volcanoes and Mgahinga Gorilla Parks. There are 10 habituated mountain gorilla families in the park. This makes mountain gorilla trekking the main Virunga Mountains safaris adventure.
A mountain gorilla family first undergoes habituation to be open for tourism. The mountain gorilla habituation process is done by rangers who study, and follow the mountain gorillas to make them accustomed to human beings’ presence. Once habituated, the mountain gorilla families are then open to tourist visitation.
Just like in Rwanda and Uganda, only 8 tourists are allowed to track one mountain gorilla family a day. You are also expected to keep at least 7 meters away from the mountain gorillas. The Virunga gorilla trekking experience starts with a briefing about the mountain gorillas. Here you are briefed about the regulations, the dos and don’ts while in the forest, and in the presence of the mountain gorillas.
The hike to the mountain gorillas takes 2 to 4 hours and once you get to the gorillas you are only allowed to stay in their presence for an hour. In this hour you get to learn more as you observe the mountain gorillas and take photographs for memories. Virunga Mountains safaris featuring gorilla trekking are exclusive and highly recommended.
Birding
Birding safaris are other wildlife adventure activities you can be part of while visiting Virunga national park. The diverse ecosystems of the national park make it have diverse and a variety of birds including Albertine Rift Valley endemics and some that are endemic to the Congo forests. Some of the notable birds you can see while on a birding safari here include the great blue Turaco, Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori Bantis, and olive Sunbird among others.
You can spot a number of birds when doing general park activities including mountain gorilla trekking and Mountain hiking. This is an added advantage that increases your chances of wildlife viewing and discovery. Add birding on your Virunga Mountains Safaris for the ultimate Discovery Journeys adventure.
Virunga Mountains Hiking
Before its eruption, Mount Nyiragongo was open to tourism and an ideal mountain hiking adventure destination. Hiking to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo would give one an opportunity to see the hot lava on its summit. The mountain erupted in 2020 destroying property and was temporarily closed to tourism as experts assess its safety. Mount Nyiragongo hiking is still iconic and the most anticipated Virunga Mountains Safaris expedition.
We have hope that in the future mount, Nyiragongo will be open for tourism and people will get an opportunity to see the lava lake once again. The Hike to mount Nyiragongo starts with a briefing at the Kibati park post. Here you are briefed and then led to through the first forest canopy layers that have wildlife species including birds and primates. Part of this was obviously destroyed during the volcanic eruption but not all was lost.
The key attraction of the mountain Nyiragongo is the lava lake and it will always be the main area of focus. Hiking mount Nyiragongo also offers great scenic views of the surrounding areas including the Great Lakes in the Albertine Rift Valley. This hike is a great addition to the Virunga gorilla trekking safaris.
Visit the Sekwenkwe Center
The Sekwenkwe Center is a sanctuary for orphaned mountain gorillas. It is located at Rumangabo near Virunga national park and it is the only home and rehabilitation center for orphaned mountain gorillas. It has some resident mountain gorillas some of whom were rescued from the poachers.
The Sekwenkwe center was established in 2009 after the national park rangers regained control of Virunga national park after some time of civil war and armed conflicts in the area. It started with two orphaned mountain gorillas Ndeze and Ndakasi and by the end of 2010 two more mountain gorillas were added.
The two mountain gorillas had been brought to the center from Rwanda but unfortunately later died because of health complications. Another mountain gorilla Matabishi was also rescued and brought to the center in 2013. He had sustained injuries but these were tented to until he recovered and him and Ndeze are the only two remaining mountain gorillas at the Senkwekwe sanctuary.
Another mountain gorilla that lived at the Sanctuary is Mazuka. He, unfortunately, passed away in 2021 after staying at about 3 years at Senkwenkwe. Ndakasi also died in 2021 but all their lives are well documented and you get to know more about them by visiting the Senkwenkwe center. A visit to the center is recommended to those on Virunga gorilla trekking safaris.
Tchegera Island Excursions
Tchegera Island is another incredible place to explore on your Virunga Mountains safaris adventure. The island has a crescent shape of which is believed to be a top of a volcanic mountain. It erupted and left behind a crater that was later filled with the waters of Lake Kivu. Tchegera island is covered with trees and lush vegetation thanks to the cool environmental conditions of the area.
It forms a natural harbor that favors a number of wildlife species to thrive here. These are mainly aquatic wildlife species that include fish and crabs. These are particularly endemic to lake Kivu meaning it is the only place you can see them. You can engage in a number of wildlife and fun activities while visiting Tchegera island. For wildlife and nature lovers, birding, nature walks and Kayaking are highly recommended. You can also swim in the calm waters of the lake or choose to just relax and enjoy the cool breeze.
Tchegera Island excursions are chilled of all Virunga Mountains safaris. They are best enjoyed after the Virunga Gorilla trekking and mountain hiking expeditions.
Virunga National Park has limited accommodation options. Tchegera has a tented camp with 6 tents and at full capacity, they can at least accommodate 12 guests. Two of the tents are twins and the other Four are doubles. All tents are self-contained and have hot showers. The area is relatively cold and chilly which is why hot water is readily available and more essential.
For those going for mountain gorilla trekking, Kibumba tented camp is an option to look at. It is located on the mountain slopes of Mount Mikeno and it is the main accommodation option in this area. The tented camp offers all-round interrupted views of the forest mountains and is very ideal to base from when going mountain gorilla trekking in the park. While at the camp you get to see Mount Mikeno and the other three Virunga mountains which include Nyamuragira, Nyiragongo, and Mount Karisimbi.
Kibumba Tented camp has a total of 18 tents that are self-contained and also have hot water. The tents are spacious enough and also have great views of the surrounding beautiful scenery. While staying at Kibumba you can engage in other wildlife activities including birding and nature walks around the forest in the camp’s vicinity.
Mikeno lodge is the other great accommodation option in Virunga National Park. It is located near the park headquarters in Rumangabo surrounded by a Mahura forest that is home to a number of wildlife species. Some of the notable primates in Mahura forest include chimpanzees and primates and birding safari adventures, therefore, start right from the lodge.
The lodge has 12 private bungalows that are self-contained with a fireplace inside. Each has a bath tab and shower with a flush toilet as well. The bungalows offer great views of the surrounding forests and the mountains making your Virunga Mountains safaris more enjoyable. Mikeno lodge is the only luxury option in the parks and does get fully booked especially in the peak tourist season.
Getting There
You can access Virunga National Park Via Rwanda. Kigali International Airport is the nearest and major international airport in the area. From here you then take a 5 hours drive from the airport to Goma the biggest city in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. There are some accommodation facilities in Goma including luxury options like Goma Serena Hotel. Most of the trips to Virunga national park are scheduled and managed by the park for security purposes and they, therefore, do the pick-up in a Convoy from Gome to and from the Park.
Spending a night in Goma is therefore very important to avoid missing the pickup time. From Goma, it takes about 45 minutes to drive to Virunga National Park.
There is also an airport in Goma but not all major international airlines operate that route and landing in Kigali is more reliable. Ensure to plan your Virunga Mountains safaris in advance to avoid any inconveniences.
When to Visit
Virunga national park can be visited any time of the year. For the best wildlife viewing, and wildlife photography it is better to visit during the dry season from June to September and from Mid December to March. During the dry season months there are little rainfall disturbances and major treks In the park including mountain gorilla trekking can easily be managed. The hiking trails are also dry and it is therefore easy to hike through the different trails in the park.
During the wet months of April, May & November, wildlife safaris are possible but there are high chances of rainfall. You can however successfully manage the treks with the right gear especially raincoats or ponchos.
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