Virunga Conservation Area
Virunga Conservation Area
Virunga Conservation Area :The Virunga conservation area is shared between Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. It includes the Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DRC.
All these parks have one thing in Common; they are habitats to the world only remaining gorillas.
These are the top attractions in the Virunga conservation Area:
Mountain gorillas
There are about 900 gorillas left in the world and all of them are found in the Virunga area. Bwindi national park which is just a few meters away from this area is the other park that is home to these gorillas but it cannot be separated from this conservation area.
Golden monkeys
Golden Monkeys is another unique primate specie that is endangered and you are likely to meet on you adventure to the Virunga area.
The Virunga’s mountains
Not only does tourism in Virunga entail wildlife but one can also enjoy hiking the volcanoes. The conservation area is a home to eight volcanic mountains, two of which are active (Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira) – both in the Democratic Republic of Congo within the heart of Virunga National Park.
The other six non-active volcanoes are Muhabura, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, Karisimbi, Bisoke and Mikeno. Travelers can take part in hiking any of these volcanoes whose summits provide clear views of the neighboring communities.
Batwa pygmies
These were the initial habitat of these forested areas and they were relocated in a bid to protect the gorillas.
They are now trying to adapt to life outside the forest and when you visit their communities you are directly helping on saving the gorillas since you will be promoting their relocating from the forest other than that their lifestyle is also interesting.
Dian Fossey’s grave
This American Primatologist was buried in this area after year of doing gorilla conservation in the area. She is believed to have been murdered by poachers due to her efforts of preaching against poaching.
She first came to the Virunga in 1968 and made the slopes of mountain Visoke her home and set up a research center here.
