NO, Virunga National park is still closed for tourism! As of December 2022, no visits are allowed in Virunga National park. Whether visiting for gorilla trekking, Nyiragongo Volcano hiking, or any other tourism experience, no travelers are currently allowed to visit Virunga National park. The closure of Virunga is attributed to the continued fights and attacks by the ADF rebels who have made this UNESCO heritage site a danger zone. All people intending to visit this gorilla park are therefore called upon to wait until the Park is free for travel. In the past years, Virunga National park has registered several rebel attacks some of which claimed the lives of park rangers. However, the government of Rwanda and the Institut Congolias pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) with the support of local people are working together to restore peace and security in the region. Mbuti, Hutu, Basongora, and Tutsi are the tribal groups living near and around Virunga National Park.
About Virunga National park
Located in the Albertine rift valley the Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Virunga National park is a UNESCO heritage site, rich in diversity. In 1994, Virunga National Park was also listed among the list of world heritage in dance due to civil conflicts and encroachment by local people. The park is one of the four national parks, which shelter the endangered mountain gorillas. The park also shelters two active volcanoes i.e. Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo. The park was established in 1925 making it the oldest park in Africa.
Wildlife in Virunga Park
Whereas the park is famous for the endangered mountain gorillas, there is much more than this. There are roughly 196 mammals, 109 reptiles, 706 birds, and 109 reptiles dwelling in this tropical rainforest. In addition to gorillas, Virunga Park also contains Red tailed monkeys, common chimpanzees, Dent’s Mona monkey, Grey-cheeked mangabey, Blue monkeys, and Olive baboons among others.
Top activities to do in Virunga National Park
There are lots of amazing things to do in Virunga National park. The choice of which activity to take part in depends on the traveler. These include:
Trekking Mountain Gorillas
YES, trips to trek mountain gorillas are the most popular in Virunga National park. With over 150 mountain gorillas, Virunga Park offers you a lifetime mountain gorilla encounter. 8 gorilla families have been habituated and available for trekking. The gorilla groups in Virunga Park include Nyakamwe, Munyaga, Bageni, Humba, Mapuwa, Kabirizi, Rugendo, and Lulengo gorilla families. Trekking gorillas in Congo is quite cheap and pocket friendly costing $450 per permit compared to $1500 in Rwanda and $700 in Uganda. Like in other gorilla safari destinations, permit booking for gorillas in Congo is recommended as early as 6 months before the trekking date. Travelers are reminded to carry their permits to the park headquarters on the day of trekking. Park wardens will ask for permits for clarification.
Mount Nyiragongo Hiking
Hiking to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo is another most-done travel experience in Virunga National Park. The active volcano stands at 3,470 meters above sea level and its summit shelters a 2 kilometers wide lava lake, which is the world’s largest lava lake. The 3 Days Nyiragongo hiking trip is a suitable package for this adventure. The 3 Days trip entails a night stay on the slopes of the volcano to clearly see the burning lava at night.
Bird watching
With over 706 bird species, Virunga National park is a haven for birders. Expect to see a variety of birds some of which are endemic to the Albertine rift. Among the birds to see in Virunga National park include the Kivu Ground thrush, Blue-headed coucal, African Goshawk, Dusky Crimson-wing, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Grassland pipit, Barred long-tailed cuckoo, Malachite sunbird, Diederick cuckoo, Mountain sooty boubou, Brown woodland warbler, Yellow-rumped tinker bird, Alpine swift, Olive sunbird, Tropical boubou, Yellow white-eye, Angola swallow, Red-eyed-slaty flycatcher, Olive woodpecker, Black bishop, Bronze manikin, pin-tailed whydah, Archer’s ground robin, Chubb’s cisticola, bronze manikin, and mountain oriole among others. Birding in Virunga Park s done all year round but the dry season between June and September is the best time to see birds in Virunga Park. Migratory birds are present between November and April.
Nature Walks
Be part of our guided nature walking experience in the jungles of Virunga National park. It’s with no doubt that walking is the best way to explore the beauty of Virunga Park. Walk to the waterfalls, caves, rivers, and streams of water within the park rewarding you with a lifetime experience. You will also encounter various birds, mammals, and ground insects during the nature walk.
Chimpanzee habituation experience
Whereas the experience is not popular, the chimpanzee habituation experience is another activity done in Virunga National park. Take part in training wild chimpanzees making them familiar with people. The experience requires you to buy a habituation permit at $100.
NOTE: WE REMIND YOU THAT VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK IS STILL CLOSED FOR TOURISM. VIRUNGA CONSERVATION AREA WILL KEEP UPDATING YOU REGARDING SAFETY AND TOURISM IN VIRUNGA NATIONAL APRK AND CONGO IN GENERAL.
