Virunga National Park is situated in Eastern side of the country, astride Uganda and Rwanda and covers an area of 7800 square kilometers. This wonderful Park is an UNESCO world Heritage Site that was gazetted in 1925 (making it one of the oldest National Parks in Africa). This unforgettable adventure starts from Bukima ranger post where tourists are briefed on the tracking guidelines and what to expect during the activity. Virunga National Park is a home to 200 of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas that are found in the Southern part of the Park.
Virunga National Park is one of the most ecologically endowed conservation areas on earth. Nearly half of all the biodiversity in sub Saharan Africa live in the jungles of Virunga National Park some of which include thousands of forest bird species, mammals and reptiles. Whereas the mountain gorillas are today uncommon and listed as the most critically endangered primates, thanks to conservation efforts that have helped to protect them from the hands of the hunters. Virunga National Park is a home to over 200 gorillas and this represents a quarter of the world’s mountain gorillas that are believed to be still living on the planet. There are also unique savanna and forest elephants together with chimpanzees and lowland gorillas within the jungles of Virunga National Park. Other incredible creatures include okapi, giraffes, buffaloes and numerous bird species. Besides, this mighty protected area is also a geologic wonder and consists of 2 world’s most extinct volcanoes.
Historically, the park has been heavily impacted by civil unrest but thanks to the devoted park rangers and wardens, the park has been in position to survive. Other politicians, the European Union, conservationists, philanthropists and private donors have also played part in rescuing the Virunga’s glory. This park was established in 1925 by King Albert 1 of Belgium and it was previously known as Albert National Park. The Virunga National Park is the oldest protected area in Africa. It was established purposely to offer protection to the critically endangered mountain gorillas that live in the jungles of the Virunga Mountains ranges that were governed by the Belgian Congo. It extended north to include the Rwindi Plains, Virunga Volcano ranges, Lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountains, in the Eastern DRC, bordering the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Currently the park covers about 7800 square kilometers.
For the last 35 years, poaching was reduced and sustainable tourism increased as result of large body of hand picked Congolese rangers and devoted wardens. The land remuneration and the use of the park resources like fishing and illegal hunting by adjacent communities turned to be an ever escalating issue. At a time when Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) got her independence in 1960, the new state drastically reduced and never left out Virunga National Park. It was till 1969 that President Mobutu started to take a personal interest in conservation, that Virunga was saved. In the process, its name changed to Virunga National Park and the first Congolese Wildlife Authority was founded. The Institute Congolais pour le Conservation de la Nature or ICCN is till controlling DRC’s conservation areas up to date.
It was not until 1970’s that the park improved. Some foreign investment assisted to enhance the park’s infrastructure and training facilities and the park became a famous place for visitors. At this period, the Virunga National Park received approximately 6500 tourists every year. In 1979, it was designated as a World Heritage Site. In 1980’s, the Mobutu government started to lose its hold on power and the country started to experience political unrest. Virunga National Park suffered massively. Poaching fragmented the park’s large mammal species, infrastructure was destroyed and several park rangers lost their lives which is still the case today. The Congolais Wildlife Authority lost control of Virunga National Park some thing that altered its World Heritage Site status into “endangered.”
Gorilla families/groups in Virunga National Park
Virunga has 8 habituated gorilla families that can be visited for tracking and they include Mapuwa family, Rugendo family, Munyaga group, Humba family, Lulengo group, Nyakamwe group, Kabirizi group and Bageni group.
When to visit Virunga National Park for gorilla trekking
Every day and month can be visited for gorilla trekking. However, the wet season in April/May and October/November is not preferred because the trails are always muddy and slippery hence more difficult to navigate. The dry season and other normal seasons are the best for gorilla trekking because trails/paths tend to be drier hence hiking is not so difficult.
Get your equipments ready for gorilla trekking in Congo, and these include Strong hiking boots, rain jacket/poncho because Virunga National Park is situated within a rainforest, first id kit, a waterproof backpack, camera and binoculars, long trousers and long sleeved shirts, and a hat to protect you from the strong sunshine.
Cost of a gorilla permit in Virunga National Park
Gorilla permits in DRC are the cheapest compared to Rwanda and Uganda. A permit costs $400 for International tourists and $150 for Congolese Nationals. Just like Uganda, gorilla permits in Congo are also discounted during the wet seasons which ate also the low seasons (April, May and October/November).A permit costs $350 per person.
Gorilla trekking guidelines in Virunga National Park
The rules include; All trekkers are advised to wear masks (that are provided by the Park rangers) when in the presence of the gorillas to safeguard their heath.
Trekkers have to be 15 years and above for them to be allowed to track mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Pak is strictly conducted from 8:00am to 7:00 pm.
You are not allowed to visit these Giant Apes if you have flue or cough to avoid transmitting these diseases to the mountain gorillas because they share 98% of their DNA with humans hence are susceptible to these diseases. If you realize you are sick before the scheduled trek, please cancel the activity. Always turn away from the mountain gorillas or use a handkerchief or cover your mouth if you want to sneeze or cough to prevent them from catching human diseases.
Visitors are allowed to spend a maximum of one hour with the mountain gorillas to avoid straining/stressing them. Once your one hour with them has elapsed, please do not over stay.
When with the mountain gorillas, it is important to maintain a distance of 7 meters away from them to avoid transmitting any diseases to them and also because they are wild animals no matter how friendly they may be.
Only 8 persons are allowed to visit a gorilla family per day to reduce on the risk of transmitting human diseases to the mountain gorillas.
Avoid direct eye contact with the mountain gorillas because they may perceive it as confrontation. When these mountain gorillas charge by shouting or beating their chest, remain calm and avoid eye contact.
Avoid making noise when tracking or watching them because it might scare them away. Even if you want to communicate with your colleagues, just murmur or speak silently. Do not use flash cameras when taking photos.
Do not smoke and avoid eating when with these animals. Since there are no toilets in the jungle, your guide will dig a hole for you to ease yourself after which it will be covered properly.
Always wash your hands clean before gorilla trekking because you might spread germs to the mountain gorillas and avoid touching them.
Accommodation in and around Virunga National Park
There are facilities in and around Virunga National Park that offer comfortable accommodation and they include Tchegera Island Tented Camp, Bukima Tented Camp, Mikeno Lodge and Virunga Lodge among others.
How to access Virunga National Park
When in DRC especially Goma, this Park is in the West direction of Goma (the capital of North Kivu province). It is always difficult to travel to this Park from the Congo side because the roads are in poor condition. Tourists are advised to use 4WDs vehicles and connect to this Park from Rwanda or even Uganda. The roads in Rwanda are well developed and comfortable for travelers who are heading for a tedious activity like gorilla trekking. It is just 3-4 hours drive from Kigali Airport to Goma that is near the border of DRC. Tourists connecting from Uganda can access this Park from the South-western part of Uganda by crossing through the Bunagana border (you will be required to purchase a Visa for crossing especially a tourist Visa is at $100). Before you consider travelling to DRC, first get a yellow fever vaccination.
Tourists to Virunga National Park normally fly into Kigali International Airport and spend 3 hours and more on taxi ride to Gisenyi border to DRC or Goma Town. International flights always land in late in the afternoon or evening. With such arrivals, tourists to DRC are advised to spend a night in Kigali city and then set off for Virunga the next morning. There are several hotels for you to spend a night in Kigali and at the same time the hotel management can still organize to pick you but with extra charge attached to it. Ethiopian Airline and domestic DR Congo airlines fly into Goma although the Airport is not of international standards. Tourists should know that the border crossing is only safe between 8:00am and 7:00pm. For any signs of insecurities, the park management can temporarily shut down tourism activities and message will be passed on for travelers to know what is going on. It is from this note that visitors should first contact their respective governments’ Office of Foreign Affairs concerning any travel alerts. Tourists are also advised not to take self drive safaris to DRC! In case you are using your own transport means, it is important that you communicate to Virunga’s tourism office through email at visit@virunga.org. Please never forget to get a yellow fever certificate as it is a requirement for any visitor who enters Rwanda and DRC.
In conclusion Virunga National Park is a home to various wildlife species. The biodiversity in the park ranges from the rare mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, birds and other outs7#tanding wildlife species. With this, the park is an incredible place for mountain gorilla trekking safaris, chimpanzee experiences, birding paradise and other primate safaris that fill tourists with unforgettable experiences.