Things to See in Virunga National Park: Attractions
Get to discover the different
tourist attractions in Virunga National Park, one of the famous World Heritage Sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo, offering the best gorilla trekking safaris in Africa.
Below, let’s look at the best attractions in Virunga National Park, Africa: Wildlife in Virunga National Park
Virunga park boasts a rich diversity of wildlife, including some of the most endangered species in the world.
Mountain gorillas are the most popular; however, other primates like Eastern Chimpanzee, Blue Monkeys, Golden Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys, Dent’s mona Mona Monas, and Olive Baboons can be encountered during gorilla trekking adventures.
The other prominent game animals in Virunga park are forest elephants, Buffalos, hogs, buffalos, bushbucks, hippos, and Uganda kobs, among other more endemic vertebrate species. Some wild animals from Queen Elizabeth National Park can be encountered.
Note that over a third of 1,063 Mountain gorillas that live on Earth dwell in Virunga park.
The Active Volcanoes in Virunga Park
This protected area in Eastern DR Congo is also known for harboring different Virunga Mountains that spread in North Kivu and the southern sector of Virunga park,
Mount Nyiragongo being the most popular. The other active volcanoes in the Virunga massif include Mount Nyamuragira, a shield volcano.
Nyiragongo Volcano last erupted in May 2021; however, up to date, volcanic activities can be seen at its summit. A successful Nyiragongo hike will offer you absorbing views of the boiling lava lake.
Local Communities Around Park Virunga
About 20,000 people live in the central sector and northern sector of national park Virunga. It’s possible to visit these indigenous people in their local communities to explore their amazing way of life and cultures.
Likewise, get to discover coffee farm projects in North Kivu, supporting the lives of many locals in Africa.
Other attractions in and around Virunga park include;- Lake Edward on the eastern Virunga park boundaries
- Congo River
- Lake Kivu, and
- Colorful birds, etc.
Main Tourist Activities in Virunga National Park
There are various notable adventure activities in Virunga National Park, with the major ones being Gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee trekking.
Details about the best activities in Virunga National Park are below: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park, Congo
Gorilla trekking expeditions in Virunga National Park offer a similar gorilla tracking experience, just like it do in other destinations for
gorilla trekking safaris in Africa, such as Uganda and Rwanda.
On a Congo gorilla tour adventure, you’ll spend an hour with a habituated gorilla family allocated to you.
Virunga National Park has 8 gorilla families, with the Kabirizi Family being the most popular due to its large group members.
Below are all the habituated Gorilla families in Virunga National Park:- Kabirizi Family
- Bageni Family
- Mapuwa Family
- Rugendo Family
- Lulengo Family
- Munyaga Family
- Humba Family
- Nyakamwe Family
THE COST FOR GORILLA TREKKING IN VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK
The cost for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park is $400 and it’s the cheapest among all countries for gorilla tours in East Africa—Uruguay and Rwanda. Rwanda’s gorilla permit is sold at $1,500 and that of Uganda is $800.
You can purchase a Mountain gorilla permit at
Congo Virunga Park headquarters or book it through a tour operator.
Chimpanzee Tracking or Chimpanzee Habituation in Virunga Park
Tracking Chimpanzees is among the popular activities in Virunga park after the gorilla trekking tours. This adventure began in 1987 by the Frankfurt Zoological Society.
Congo chimpanzee trekking tours involve walking into the jungle searching for chimpanzees in their natural habitat and you spend one hour with them.
For chimpanzee habituation experience, you’ll join a group (park staff) going for
chimpanzee habituation early in the morning and you'll spend the day with these intelligent relatives of humans. This adventure is ideal for researchers of chimpanzees.
Mount Nyiragongo Hike
The
Nyiragongo hike in Virunga National Park is a thrilling adventure that offers you a chance to witness the breathtaking views of a boiling lava lake on the summit of Mount Nyiragongo.
Upon reaching the summit of Nyiragongo Volcano, you’ll enjoy the killer views of several volcanoes in Virunga Massifs.
Due to the frequent historical eruptions of this mountain, among the most active volcanoes on the African continent, this adventure is thus for the strong-hearted adventurous spirits in Africa. The Nyiragongo hikes will leave you with lifetime adventure memories in Africa!
Nature Walks in Virunga National Park
Nature walks are some of the most amazing
tourist activities in Virunga National Park. On foot, you’ll explore Virunga park’s biodiverse montane forest, which is a sanctuary for various animal species that can be encountered.
Virunga montane forest comprises grassland, lava plains, woodland, and swamps, among others. The
nature walks will allow you to discover the beauty of its amazing landscapes, which also includes lakes like Lake Albert, Lake Kivu, and Lake Edward.
While on the guided walks in Virunga park, you’re likely to spot wildlife species such as Bushbucks, bird species, and several amazing primate species such as the Golden monkey and a Dent's mona monkey, a species of central Africa.
Birding and Watching in Virunga Park
Bird lovers put bird watching among the top activities to do in Virunga National Park. In this park, you’ll encounter an array of bird species, including some you can’t spot in other East African safari destinations.
Over 706 birds are recorded in this protected area and are spotted in diverse habitats of the park, like montane forests, marshes, swamps, bamboo areas, and even grasslands. Some can be spotted around lakes like Lake Albert, Lake Kivu, & Lake Edward.
Among the popular birds in Virunga National Park are the Madagascar Bee Eater, Grey-Throated Barbet, Narrow-Tailed Starling, African Fish Eagle, and Ruwenzori Turaco, among others.
Packing List for Gorilla Trekking in the Congo What to Pack for the Congo Tour in Virunga National Park?
There are many things that you can pack for your Virunga park safari tour and below, we list some of them.
- Travel documents, for example, passport, Yellow and Vaccination card
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent
- Sunglasses
- Backpack
- Notebook
Best Time to Visit Virunga National Park | Best Time for Congo Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park
You can visit Virunga park all year round in either the dry or wet season. However, the dry season (June–August) offers the best experience for Congo trekking, as the trails in the forest will be dry. December–February is also a dry season.
Usually, the rains can be an inconvenience during the wet season and the forest trains get muddy, making it challenging to hike. The gorilla treks in the wet season rarely take long since the Mountain gorillas don’t move deep into the forest looking for food.
High Season & Low Season for Gorilla Trekking in Virunga ParkThe dry season is the high season for
gorilla tracking tours in Virunga National Park. The wet months of March to May are the low season for gorilla trekking in Congo and usually, the tourists are few in this country.
Travelers on Congo gorilla safaris interested in budget gorilla tours in Congo should visit in low season. Often, the accommodation rate is cheap, and some discounts can be given.
Gorilla Trekking: What to Wear in Congo Virunga Park
To make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable, it’s important to wear the right attire for your safari.
We discuss them below:- Long trousers and long sleeves
Such a dress code helps to protect your body from the forest cuts while on the gorilla trek. Likewise, it will safeguard you from biting insects like Mosquitoes.
- Comfortable hiking shoes
This kind of shoe is fit for the challenging terrain on the gorilla trek, which involves going through hills and valleys in dense forests. It keeps your feet safe from cuts.
- Rain jacket or poncho
A rain jacket is of great importance in case it rains while you are still tracking Mountain gorillas.
How to Access Virunga National Park
Most travelers use air transport to land at Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport and then proceed to enter the Congo border using road transport through Gisenyi Village. From here, they
connect to Virunga park headquarters in Bukima. This drive can take around 3–4 hours.
From Congo, you can use Goma International Airport and then proceed to your lodge near the park borders (park boundaries) by road.
Visitors from Uganda will cross from the Bunagana border in Kisoro Town to Embeloka, an area near the park's boundaries.
Accommodation in Virunga National Park
There are different accommodation facilities in this park to provide you with an exquisite stay during your trip.
Below are the different places to stay during your Congo gorilla tour in Virunga Park:- Lulimbi Tented Camp
- Mikeno Lodge
- Bukima Tented Camp
- Nyiragongo Summit Shelters
- Tchera Island Camp
The Virunga Movie
Virunga has been a shooting ground for a dozen fiction films and other unforgettable dramas due to its exceptional natural beauty and diverse population of
wildlife. For example “Virunga”, a documentary film by Violet Films covers venal villains, heart-stopping suspense, and stalwart heroes.
This documentary film is about the nature conservation efforts of park rangers, and it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The documentary film also airs on Netflix and has been nominated in various film festivals.
Sustainability and Protection of the Gorillas in Virunga Park
Since Virunga and neighboring protected areas are conservation areas for some of the last remaining mountain gorillas, their sustainability in protecting them is an important aspect of the conservation of these primates.
The biggest threats to the three great ape species (mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and the golden monkey) in the Virunga conservation area are illegal activities and poaching. Others include human encroachment due to human population growth and civil unrest.
Several rangers are trained by the park management to patrol and protect these giant primates to promote their conservation from threats like poaching and human encroachment.
FAQs on Virunga National Park Congo
What is Unique About Virunga National Park, Congo?: What is Special About Virunga National Park?
Virunga is majorly unique for its exceptional biodiversity, as it protects about half of the riches found in sub-Saharan Africa. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also the first safari park in the African continent, as it was designated in 1925 as Albert National Park.
What is the weather like in Virunga National Park, Congo?
Virunga Park’s weather comprises warmth and mild rains. Due to the Equator line running through the park, this protected area experiences warm temperatures all year round.
Cool breezes in Virunga are around lakes and rivers, for example, Lakes Kivu, Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and River Semuliki in the northern sector, and along the Congo River.
Is It Safe to Visit Virunga National Park?
All safari activities in Congo Virunga National Park are safe for travelers because security personnel are there to ensure their safety. Park rangers and military personnel accompany tourists in the jungle to protect them and their property during the various activities, for example, gorilla trekking expeditions.
How Long Does It Take to Explore Virunga National Park?
The time it takes to explore Virunga park depends on the activities that you are going to do. Gorilla trekking takes about 30 minutes to 8 hours to find a Gorilla family; scenic walks take an hour or more, depending on the program. Hiking Mount Nyiragongo will take about 6 to 8 hours and descending takes about 4 hours.
How much is a gorilla safari in Congo Virunga National Park?
On top of the cost of the gorilla trekking permit in Virunga Park, which is $400, consider also the cost of other Congo safari components. Among these are the accommodation class, transport means, activities you will do on top of the gorilla trek, and even your group size, among others.
Considering all the above factors, the average cost to visit Virunga Park is $700 to $3000 for each person per day.
Why trek gorillas in Virunga National Park?
There are a number of reasons why you should undertake a gorilla safari in Virunga National Park, Parc National des Virunga.
Among others, here are the reasons to go gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park:- It’s easy to combine a Mountain gorilla trekking tour in Virunga park with Eastern lowland gorilla tour in Kahuzi Biega park.
- Tracking the endangered Mountain gorillas in Congo is the cheapest compared to other protected areas in East Africa- (Uruguay) and Rwanda. The price for a gorilla trek in Congo is only $400
Where else are mountain gorillas found?
Apart from Virunga National Park in the Congo, there are also other areas to see mountain gorillas in Africa. You can see mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Park, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
The eastern lowland gorillas reside in
Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Is Virunga National Park open to tourists?
Virunga National Park is currently open to tourists. Usually, this park can close if there are some insecurity outbreaks in Congo; however, peace talks have been conducted to cool these rebel groups—the armed groups—by government officials.
Why is Virunga National Park dangerous for tourists?
Virunga is sometimes unsafe because of the various threats from rebel groups that are against the government and the possibility of Mount Nyiragongo eruptions since it last erupted in 2021.
Though sometimes civil unrest (armed conflict) arises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, peace talks are ongoing, and there is hope that this civil war will soon come to an end, thus developing tourism. Currently, Virunga Park is open for travel! Inquire more from your
Congo safari company.
Do you need a reservation for Virunga National Park?
Yes, you will need a reservation in advance and not on arrival at Virunga NP. Additionally, it’s wise to get a visa to the Democratic Republic of the Congo before your arrival.
To summarise, Virunga National Park is an amazing destination to visit during your safari in Congo, Africa. While in this protected area, you’ll enjoy several adventure activities in the Congo, including mountain gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo hiking tours to witness the world’s largest boiling lava lake. The biodiversity of Virunga Park is also wonderful and worth exploring.
With the right safety precautions and protection from government bodies, we can help you organize a superb safari in Virunga to enjoy an incredible
gorilla safari experience.
Book your trip today!
