Where Is The Virunga National Park Located?
Where Is The Virunga National Park Located? Virunga national park is located in the Eastern region in the Democratic Republic of Congo and it is considered the largest national park in the country covering a total surface area of about 790,000 square kilometers. this national park was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage for its ecological importance and it later officially became a Ramscar site of the international importance in the year of 1996 and it shares boarders with other countries like; Rwanda and Uganda. Virunga national park was established as a national park in 1979 and it is ranked as the strongest ecological pillar for the entire East and Central Africa Eco system. In addition, it was created with a major aim of conserving and protecting all the wildlife animals in the country whereby these species are for a major purpose of tourism and for research purposes hence contributing a lot to the development of the tourism industry in the country. Virunga national park is richly blessed with a diverse eco system, which is surrounded, by tropical rain forests, Block Mountains, the Albertine rift, Block Mountains, savannah woodlands, wetlands, crater lakes among others.
Virunga National park is a good destination to travel to while planning on going on an adventurous safari because it has a good climate, which is warm and mild because the Equator crosses through the park. more so, this national park has many tourist attractions which lead many individuals to travel to the park and some of these include; stunning waterbodies like; Lake Kivu, Lake Albert, River Congo, River Congo, Lake Edward, River Congo and tourists who visit these waterbodies enjoy the cool nature breeze and can also opt to embark on adventure activities like boat cruises. This national park is a home to over 218 mammal species such as; buffalos, elephants, hippos, waterbucks, warthogs, leopards, okapi, blue duikers, okapi, warthogs, giant forest hogs, bay duikers, kobs, blue river hog, yellow backed duiker and 22 primate species such as; dent’s mona monkey, De brazaa’s monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, blue monkeys, central African red colobus mantled guereza, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys among others. more so, Virunga national park also harbours around 706 bird species, 65 amphibian species, and around 109 reptiles and touring around this national park blesses you with opportunities to see the Nile crocodiles which along the shores of Semiliki River and get to see monitor lizards among others.
Things to do while in Virunga National park.
While touring around Virunga national park grants you opportunities to engage in many exciting activities where they learn new experience and make good memories. and some of these activities include; Gorilla trekking due to the fact that this national park is a home to over 6 habituated gorilla groups/ families which are always available to be trekked, chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee Habituation , guided nature walks where they are always accompanied with many park guides who lead tourists through different trails through different trails as they explore through the beautiful nature and the landscapes and they capture stunning views of the entire wilderness in the park. more so, tourists get to hike to Nyiragongo which is well known to be an active volcanic eruption which always on in a lava lake throughout the year, bird watching whereby they are able to spot bird species like; African fish eagle, grey throated barbet, Rwenzori turaco, Narrow tailed starling, madagscar bee-eater among others.
How to get to Virunga National park.
Tourists can always go to Kigali international airports and book your flights which will lead you through Gisenyi town and the cross over Goma. In addition, as soon as they reach, they will be able to take a drive of about 2 hours’ drive from Gisenyi to the park headquarters, which are situated in Bukima.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about where Virunga national park is located and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Explore Rwanda Tours who offer the best tour packages while on your Congo safari within the Democratic Republic of Congo.
