Tourism activities to do at visiting Virunga national park: Virunga National Park is located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Goma district, bordering volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Mgahinga national park in Uganda, the park is one of the oldest national parks in Africa which as gazetted in 1925 purposely to protect the wildlife from the increased poaching Congo. Virunga National Park covers an area of about 8,090 square kilometers, holding third of the remaining world’s population of the mountain gorilla. Virunga National Park is the only national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo housing a huge number of diverse biodiversity and flora.
The park is a home of the most captivating mountains such as mount Nyiragongo, mount Nyamuragira and mount Mikeno with mount Nyiragongo being the most magnificent volcano holding the world’s largest larva. Virunga National Park is a home to 8 habituated gorilla group such as Kabirizi group, Humba group, Rugendo group, Mapuwa group, Lulengo group, Munyanga group and Bageni group. The park also boasts stunning vegetation types, animal species such as Congo buffaloes, African elephants, giant forest hogs, hyenas, duckers, bush backs, Congo giraffes among others. this article provides you a variety of tourism activities offered at Virunga national park;
Tourism activities to do at visiting Virunga national park:
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park is the main and famous activity conducted in the park, mountain gorillas are prized creatures in every safari in the Democratic Republic of Congo, these fascinating primates can only be found and trekked in only three countries in Africa such as in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo itself. Trekking these thrilling primates give a life-long experience because it involves walking in the foot through the jungles of the dense forest in search for mountain gorillas in their natural dwell. Virunga National Park is a home to over 400 mountain gorillas of over1000 individuals remaining in the wild, mountain gorillas in Virunga national Park live in habituation groups of 8 gorilla family such as Nyakamwe gorilla family, Bageni gorilla family, Mapuwa gorilla family, Humba gorilla family, Kabirizi gorilla family, Munyanga gorilla family, Rugendo gorilla family and Lulengo gorilla family. Visitors while on a Congo gorilla trekking will get an opportunity to encounter with other wildlife species that reside in the forest such as the eastern chimpanzees, Congo giraffes, buffaloes, elephant, Topis, impalas, giant forest hogs, warthogs among others as well as different kinds of birds, and stunning vegetation cover.
Visitors should note that trekking mountain gorilla in the Virunga National Park only allowed to person above 15 years and with a maximum number of 8 persons, once the gorilla are found you will be allowed to be in their presence for only one hour interaction observing how they carry out their daily activities search as feeding, breastfeeding, playing among others, taking pictures and videos to take to the home people.
Chimpanzee trekking
Virunga National Park is home to a huge population of chimpanzees, our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom. These intelligent and social primates inhabit the dense forests and montane habitats of the park. Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga National Park offers a rare opportunity to observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat, during the lush forests and diverse ecosystems of the average Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga National Park normally involves hiking through dense forests in search of habituated chimpanzee groups. Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga National Park is a guided thrilling adventure that takes visitors deep into the heart of the forest in search of habituated chimpanzee groups. Visitors during the hike will get a chance to encounter with the forest wildlife creatures including monkeys, birds, and small mammal. The chance to observe these animals in their natural habitat adds to the richness of the experience, offering sights into the complex nature experience that lasts for long. Upon encountering with this fascinating apes’ visitors will enjoy listening to all sounds and signs of chimpanzees in the wild while observing their humanized behaviors like carrying and breastfeeding their babies, playing, fighting among others.
Game drives
Virunga national park is home to a vast number of wildlife including its giant mountain gorillas and the chimpanzees, the park has inhabited diverse species of wildlife such as eastern lowland gorillas, forest elephants, okapi, hippos, buffaloes, bushbucks and duikers, predators like leopards and spotted hyenas, and smaller mammals such as mongooses and bush babies among others. The park offers amazing game drive safaris to travelers to embark on their safari adventure experience, though taking part in this captivating safari tour is when you will be enriched with the diverse knowledge about the wildlife characteristics in the wild. The park offers a lot of options to visitors who wish to take part in this enthralling activity such as on foot viewing, by vehicle or by taking a boat safari along the shores of Lake Kivu
Bird watching
Bird watching in the park also offers the best adventure safaris to very bird lover, Virunga national park is a home to over 702 bird species, making it the best birding destination choose to every bird enthusiastic. while in a Congo birding safari in the park , you will get to spot variety of different kinds of birds such As Yellow-Fronted Tinkerbird, Hairy-Breasted Barbet, Spot-Flanked Barbet, Double-Toothed Barbet, Yellow-Billed Barbet, White-Fronted Bee-Eater, Red-Throated Bee-Eater, White-Throated Bee-Eater, Olive Bee-Eater, Bronzy Sunbird, Purple-Breasted Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Francolins Nobilis, Musaphaga, Skimmers, Yellow-Rumped Tinkerbird, Yellow-Fronted Tinkerbird, Hairy-Breasted Barbet, Spot-Flanked Barbet, Double-Toothed Barbet, Shoebills Storks, Egrets, Grey Herons, Ibises, Grey-Throated Barbet, Grauer’s Swamp Warbler, Alpine Swift, African Olive Pigeon, White-Headed Woodhoopoes, Angolan Swallow, Rwenzori Batis, Tropical Boubou, Yellow-Rumped Tinkerbird among others.
Hiking to the top of Mount Nyiragongo
Hiking to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo is one of the highlights to any safari in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, mount Nyiragongo is one of the 8 volcanos that make up the Virunga conservation region and the active volcanoes in the democratic republic of Congo. Hiking to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo is an exhilarating experience that takes you through lush forests, volcanic terrain, and actually containing one of the world’s largest and most active lava lakes. The hike normally begins from the park headquarters in Kibati. Where you will meet your guides, receive a briefing, and you remarkable start the trekking. During the hiking, visitors will be fascinated with the breathtaking scenery and the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including neighboring peaks, valleys, and the Virunga National Park as well as wildlife such as monkeys, birds, and other forest creatures among others.
Cultural experiences
Virunga national park is home to several indigenous communities, including the Batwa and Bambuti pygmy peoples who have inhabitant the forest for many years. Visiting this communities offers a long-lasting experience to whoever want to learn deep about the culture and the traditions of the Batwa and the Bambuti, traditional dances as well as learning more about the customs.
Cost of mountain gorilla permit in Congo
Mountain gorillas is one of the world’s primates which offers the unforgettable nature adventure once visited, seeing mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park in the democratic republic of Congo is not as much expensive as compared to the gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda. The permit fee for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park in Congo was $400 USD per person for non-nationals.
Best time to have a Congo wildlife safari in Virunga National Park
The best time to visit Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is during the dry season, which usually runs from June to September, is often considered the best time for gorilla trekking. During this period, the trails are normally drier and more accessible, making it easier to navigate through the dense forests. More so, wildlife sightings are usually more frequent during the dry season.
While the dry season is favorite, some tourists also visit during the rainy season from October to May. During this time, the landscapes are lush and vibrant, and gorilla permits may be more readily available. However, trekking conditions can be more challenging due to muddy trails and heavier rainfall.
Where to stay in Virunga National Park
Visitors planning to have a Congo safari in the Virunga National Park, home to the third of the remaining mountain gorillas in the wild shouldn’t worry about where to stay in. well, Virunga National Park is strategically located in the Eastern part of the democratic republic of Congo. The park offers a range of accommodation options to suit different preferences and budgets such as Mikeno lodge, Tchegera Island camp, Bukima Tented Camp, Kibumba Tented Camp, Nyiragongo Summit Shelters among others.
