Virunga National Park is situated in the eastern part of Congo and borders Rwanda and Uganda. Africa’s oldest wildlife protected area, established in 1925, famous for its wildlife diversity on the continent, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This wanderlust magical Virunga National Park covers an area of about 7,800 sq km of rainforests, woodlands, swamps, Block Mountain, craters, grassland, and wetland vegetation. Two active volcanoes are found in this magical Virunga Park: Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira.
Virunga National Park, Congo, is Africa’s worth-visiting destination because of its wildlife diversity with over 20 primate species, 230 mammal species, over 100 reptiles, and about 700 bird species; mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are the major attractions of the great Virunga.
It is worth noting that the park is home to over a quarter of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world, with about 6 families available for mountain gorilla trekking in Congo, and it is still only in Congo where to do lowland gorilla trekking- Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the whole world. However, it’s possible to experience this on one Congo safari.
How to get to Virunga National Park in Congo
Getting to Virunga National Park in Congo in particular is a bit challenging but rewarding, with its bumpy roads connecting to the precious destinations like the homes of mountain and lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys.
Travelers to Virunga National Park, Congo, can easily access the park by flying to Kigali International Airport, and from there you connect by road to the Gisenyi, Rwanda– Congo border and cross to Congo, driving past Goma town heading to the park headquarters, which can take about 3 hours.
From the border to the park, you will be received by the park officials, including the rangers, who are able to make your Congo tour the most memorable one, and a safe tour is guaranteed.
However, travelers from Uganda can still travel to Virunga through the Bunagana Uganda – Congo border, but this is one of the rarely used routes to Virunga National Park; most travelers from Uganda to Congo prefer crossing to Rwanda first through the Katuna Uganda – Rwanda border and then connect to Gisenyi town and cross to Congo. But this is a full-day travel journey from Uganda to Virunga via Rwanda.
Stunning attractions of Virunga Park, Congo
Virunga National Park is well known for its wildlife diversity in Africa, ranging from primates, mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles; for example, with over 20 primate species like the grey-cheeked monkey, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, Dent Mona monkey, olive baboons, chimpanzees, and mountain gorillas.
Mountain gorillas are the main attraction of Virunga National Park, where 6 families have been habituated and are available for the gorilla trekking Congo experience. Currently, Virunga travelers are increasing steadily following the security measures that have been put in place to ensure Congo is safe for tourism activities and the low price of a Congo gorilla permit at 450 US dollars compared to the price of a gorilla permit in its neighbors, Uganda and Rwanda, at 800US dollars and 1500US dollars, respectively.
Chimpanzees in Virunga National Park are also added to the Congo safari bucket list, plus other mammal species of the savannah: elephants, leopards, lions, giraffes, Kob, Bongo, okapi, Topi, among other species of different ecosystems. Furthermore, in Virunga, stunning attractions are the various bird species, over 700, and these include the great blue turaco, wattle-billed stalk, and Madagascar bee-eater.
Magical tourist activities in Virunga National Park.
Gorilla trekking in Congo – Virunga National Park is among the three protected areas in Africa that are the natural habitat of the few remaining endangered mountain gorillas on the globe, with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
And this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience: gorilla trekking in Congo for many Congo travelers, as this gives them a chance to come close to these apes, look them in the eyes, and see them go about their daily activities of feeding and playing while taking photos and capturing the experience.
Currently they are six gorilla families available for trekking in Virunga National Park, with the Kabirizi family being the most popular among many travelers on a DRC – Congo gorilla trekking safari. It is the largest family, with close to 40 members.
Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga is also another activity most Congo travelers are yearning for because, while on this ultimate chimpanzee tracking experience, you’re still able to encounter other primates of the Virunga such as the black-and-white colobus monkey, grey-cheeked mangabeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkey, and others of the 22 primates of the V.
Mount Nyiragongo hiking and nature walks. Mount Nyiragongo volcano is an active volcano found in the Virunga area, and a hike to this volcano gives a chance to embrace the beauty and scenery of the Virunga ranges.
However, Virunga National Park is mainly covered by tropical forests, with open grassland and wetlands in some other parts; some travelers on safari go ahead to explore the beauty of the Virunga by taking a walk to these breathtaking places.
Birding in Virunga National Park is also one of the outstanding activities of the Virunga for all travelers on a birding safari in Congo. Various bird species, some of which are endemic to the Virunga, leave Virunga birders with their eyes at an angle 360 degrees, focused more than ever before because they don’t have to miss out on any of the Virunga birds ranging from forest, water, and savannah birds, such as the narrow-tailed starling, grey-throated barbet, African fish eagle, among others
Experienced webmaster and copywriter with 16 years of experience in the East African tourism industry. Jerome possess excellent knowledge about gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, chimpanzee tracking, and accommodations across major destinations in East Africa.
