Welcome to Virunga National Park that is found in the eastern parts of Democratic Republic of Congo and it is most famous for being the only Central African national park to inhabit the rare endangered mountain gorillas. Despite the fact that it is the only Central African Park to keep the rare mountain gorillas but it was also the first African national park to be gazzated. It is still one of the only four Parks which protect these endangered primates out of over a thousand Parks in the world. The Park is accessed through the good dirt roads in Goma. Except mountain gorillas, the Park has a wide range of wildlife and bird life species.
The Park is composed of over 700 bird species and a variety of wildlife which include buffaloes, giraffes, Topi, Antelopes such as Kobs, Elephants, Lions, bush bucks and many others. it is the most African biological diverse African Park and the only Park in the whole world to protect the three great apes together (Mountain gorillas, Chimpanzees and Eastern Lowland gorillas) thus being a great African Park indeed. The Park also displays the Mountain Rwenzori glaciers and it is home to two active volcanoes which include Nyiragongo volcano. Nyiragongo volcano consists of a lava lake which is regarded as the most violet one and this Lava Lake is clearly seen after hiking to the summit of the Volcano. Mountain Nyamulagira is Africa’s most active volcano and it also exists in Virunga National Park.
Virunga National Park features extensive savannah, lava plains, dense forests, erosion valleys and active volcanoes thus being a suitable Park to visit whenever you think of having a tour in Africa. The Park is a haven to myriad of bird species which include Cormorants, Ibisis, Herons, Bitterns, Skimmers, Darters, Open bills, Ospreys, Shoe bills, Rwenzori Turaco and many others.
The most famous activity in the park is mountain gorilla trekking tours which thrive along the slopes of Mikeno sector about two and half hour drive from Goma. Congo gorilla tracking can be undertaken connecting from Uganda through Bunagana or from Rwanda and enjoy the gorilla tours too in Congo where you will meet a variety of wildlife and bird life including the Mountain gorillas, Chimpanzees and Low-land gorillas. A Congo gorilla permit costs US$ 400 which can be purchased from the Congolese Wildlife Authority though it is difficult for tourists out of Congo to get the Permit but a number of tour agencies in Congo and all over East Africa are there to help you through that of which the most appropriate tour agency to deal with is the Nature Adventure Africa Safari Limited which is the best especially when it comes to gorilla tours all over East Africa and in Congo as well. The tour agency will provide you with a vehicle of your desire you will wish to use, airport transfer, hotel reservation, gorilla permit purchase and many more concerning with your gorilla tour in Virunga national park and other gorilla trekking Parks in Africa.
Gorilla trekking in Virunga commences at Bukima patrol post and it takes between one to two hours while searching for the primates depending on where they were left the previous days of trekking. The trekking of the gorillas is done in groups of 8 individuals per group and the viewing of the primates is limited to strictly one hour keeping a distance of at least 7 meters or more. The Park consists of eight habituated mountain gorilla families and these are; Lulengo, Humba, Mapuwa, Nyakamwe, Bageni, Kabirizi, Munyaga and Rugendo.
The Park is made up of good luxury accommodations consisting of a restaurant, swimming pool and a bar of which they include; Mikeno lodge where its single rooms cost US$ 316 and the double rooms cost US$ 450 per room, Bukima tented camp, Nyiragongo Volcano summit shelters of which the shelters consist of twelve rooms all with two single beds in each room and they cost US$ 250 per room and Tchegera Island tented camp which is made up of double rooms costing US$ 260 and the single rooms cost US$ 100. Tchegera Island tented camp is situated on the shores of Lake Kivu overlooking the Virunga volcanoes and it is basically an Island accommodation perfect for relaxation after Nyiragongo Volcano hike though can still be lived in by the gorilla trekkers in Virunga national park.
For gorilla trekkers in Virunga national park who will also participate in Nyiragongo volcano hike are emphasized to carry the following; heavy clothes ideal for cold weathers such as sweaters, rain coats, coats, Jackets, Warm socks and also hikers who will originate directly from Mikeno lodge in Virunga are also emphasized to go with packed meal service or to bring your already packed food because at Nyiragongo there is no meals.
