Virunga National Park Congo

Virunga National Park is situated in the north eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Established in 1925, Virunga Park covers an area of 7,900 sq km and boasts an immense diversity of habitats. The park classified as a World Heritage Site in 1979 is nestled on the northern shore of Lake Kivu in Goma town; And is managed by the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), the Congolese Wildlife Board
The most dominant feature of the Park is the Virunga Mountains which lie between Lakes Edward and Kivu stretching into Rwanda and Uganda.
The Park is part of the 434 sq km stretch that makes up the Virunga Gorilla Conservation Area that also has other Gorilla habitat areas of Volcanoes and Bwindi Parks in Rwanda and Uganda respectively.
Vegetation
The marshland, grassland plateau and lava plains dominate Virunga Park.

Yawning Virunga Gorilla

Wildlife
Virunga National Park is famous for its excellent diversity of rare mammal and reptile species. The mountain gorillas are the most exciting species found in the park. Other animals here include the savannah and forest elephants, Okapi, forest giraffes, chimpanzees and buffaloes. The park also covers Lake Edward’s western shores a spot for great concentrations of hippos.
Virunga Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are the rarest and largest of the great apes in the world. Deep in the forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, the primates live in family groups. Each group usually consists of a dominant male normally the silver back gorilla, in company of several females and their young ones. Gorillas are exceptionally active during the hours between 6am and 6pm and present the best times for gorilla safaris. To track them in their natural habitat is an inspiring experience to take while on an African safari.
Birdlife
Several endemic bird species have been recorded in the forests of the Virunga Volcanoes. Most of them are migratory from Siberia.
Gorilla Tracking in the Virunga Volcanoes
DR Congo is one of the remaining destinations in the world where the endangered mountain gorillas still exist. It is in the mists of the Virunga Volcanoes that the last remaining mountain gorillas face extinction. Congo gorilla safaris lead you into the dense jungle slopes of the Virunga volcano and are organised in different gorilla groups that have been habituated in the Virunga National Park. There are several gorilla rangers to guide you.

Gorilla Trails

Other Attractions:

• Bambuti Pygmies
• Virunga and Nyiragongo Volcano Caves
• Mount Hoyo
• Lakes Kivu and Edward
• Over 1,000 hippos
• Volcanoes Karisimbi, Mikeno, Visoke, and Sabinyo and the active Nyiragongo volcano.

Threats
In later years it has become known for its mountain gorillas, although poaching and the Congo Civil War have seriously damaged its wildlife population.
Where to Stay
Volcanoes Virungas Lodge, Mt Gorilla Nest lodge

Volcanoes Virunga Lodge Interior