Though there are innumerable reasons to want to visit Virunga National Park, the potential insecurity in the region is of concern to many prospective visitors. The great volcanoes of this range, clothed in cloud forests, include the dormant Mikeno, Karisimbi, Visoke, and Sabinio (Sabinyo), as well as the active Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira. [2], The northern sector of Virunga National Park is contiguous with Uganda's Semuliki park, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, and the central sector with Queen Elizabeth National Park. The protected area was extended in 1929 by Virunga National Park, which encompassed the Virunga Mountains, parts of the Rutshuru Territory, and the plains south of Lake Edward. It was the first national park to be established on the continent of Africa, primarily to protect the mountain gorillas living in the forests of the Virunga Massif. Its northern sector encompasses part of the Semliki River basin, as well as savanna and montane forest of the Albertine Rift. While sightings of these animal oddities in Virunga are few and far between, they were spotted in the northern sector before the arrival of the militia. They are solitary creatures who remain isolated except when threatened or breeding. Oil exploration by an English company only added to threats facing the already beleaguered park. The Virunga Mountains (Virunga massif/Virunga ranges) is a block of Chain Mountains found in East - central Africa. It is . Baumas love for his primate family endeared him to the audiences of the Oscar-nominated film, Mountain gorillas aside, Virungas great ape collection also includes, While the apes may be the stars, the supporting cast of around 19 smaller primate species is deserving of a special mention. Learn more about Dodo Bahati, a project supporting anti-poaching efforts in Virunga National Park. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. However, this is no idle volcano. At a height of 16,761 feet (5,109 meters), the Rwenzori mountains feature the largest glaciers left on the African continent making this area, populated by glaciers-fed rivers, waterfalls and lakes, one of Africas most beautiful alpine landscapes. [2] It is comparable in size to Haiti or the state of . African fish eagles are birds of prey that live in the waterways of sub-Saharan Africa. A narrow corridor of 35km (1.93.1mi) width along the lake's western bank connects the northern and southern sectors of the national park. Want to go on a safari to Virunga? The six volcanoes of the centre and east are extinct. The Virunga Mountains and their associated lava flows extend across the Western Rift Valley. These mountains are part of the Great Rift Valley. Most visitors access the park via Rwanda and pass through the border at Goma. [47] Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Together with Queen Elizabeth National Park, Virunga is considered by the IUCN to be a Lion Conservation Unit. It is an extraordinary park steeped in a history of tragedy and heroism: primordial and viscerally wild. The past 14 years have been far from plain sailing, and the park has suffered its fair share of losses, particularly of the brave rangers dedicated to protecting the park. chat to the Africa Geographic travel team, Photographer of the Year 2023 Weekly Selection: Week 11. The mountain gorillas have increased from fewer than 70 to over 300 in ten years and hippos from 300 to over 2,000, while elephant and lion sightings are now a fairly regular occurrence. Also known as: Birunga Mountains, Mufumbiro Mountains. Corrections? These, in turn, keep the lions of the park suitably satiated. Nyiragongo are rewarded with a view of the worlds largest lava lake as it churns and bubbles. Modern access to the western volcanoes is from Goma and Gisenyi (Rwanda); the remaining mountains are located within the circuit of roads connecting Goma and Rutshuru (Congo), Kisoro (Uganda), and Ruhengeri and Gisenyi (Rwanda). The worlds entire population of critically endangered mountain gorillas live only in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi National Park, which spans parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. It spans across the three countries; via the North West Rwanda covering Volcanoes National Park, south western Uganda encompassing Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and eastern Congo forming part of Virunga National Park. Virunga Mountains is located in the East Africa with a chain of volcanoes that are within the borders of the countries Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Today, they are probably the parks most famous residents. Discounts at Africas best lodges and on our hand-made packages subscribers only, STORIES & DISCUSSIONS [54] The orphanage is named for a silverback killed in a devastating poaching incident in 2007 that claimed the lives of seven members of the Rugendo family. The orphanage is named for a silverback killed in a devastating poaching incident in 2007 that claimed the lives of seven members of the Rugendo family. Both savanna elephants and forest elephants reside in Virunga National Park, making it one of the few places in the world where both species co-exist. The Virunga chained mountains, also known as the Virunga Massif, offer unique experiences to tourists in Africa. Virunga National Park is a national park in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The rapid population surge causes environmental damage, and Virungas Rangers struggle to protect the forests. is the branch of the Congolese government tasked with the protection and conservation of protected areas in the DRC. [3][47] Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Virunga Mountains that mark the southern sector of the park consist of eight major volcanoes, most of which are dormant. Tourism facilities were developed and improved, and a trickle of intrepid visitors gradually turned into a steady stream of people looking to experience one of Africas most incredible destinations. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Andre Bauma is the manager of the Senkwekwe Center and heads up the team of dedicated carers responsible for looking after the Center's orphaned mountain gorillas. (UK) +44 (23) 9387-7464 Rwanda is located in East Africa, to the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at the co-ordinates 200S 300E . The parks southern tip rests on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, a short distance from the town of Goma to the east. The Virunga Mountains, located in the northwest part of Rwanda, contain the country's highest peak, Karisimbi, which reaches nearly 15,000 feet. Most visitors opt to rotate through the different options. Of these, nine gorilla families have been carefully habituated over the last thirty years. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Mass killings of nearly 400 hippos are orchestrated by local militia who are suspected of eating and selling the meat and removing teeth for ivory. Harnessed bushbuck (T. scriptus) and giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) are present in the southern sector. The Parks 3,000 square miles (7,800 square kilometers) is comprised of four sectors northern, central, southern and lake sector each with an unrivaled diversity of landscapes and ecosystems. Virunga owes its existence, at least in part, to the presence of the endangered (, . Here dedicated keepers have raised the young survivors of anthropogenic cruelty (poaching and snaring), as well as rehabilitating eastern lowland gorillas. Of these, nine gorilla families have been carefully habituated over the last thirty years. The word Virunga is got from a local word "Ibirunga* the Kinyarwanda word for "mountains". This may also be done to protect the highly susceptible apes from human diseases like Covid-19. Click here to learn more about the work of the Virunga Alliance. [45][54], Virunga National Park together with the adjacent Queen Elizabeth National Park forms a "Lion Conservation Unit". ceo@africageographic.com, Travel & conservation company, since 1991, , The oldest national park in Africa, Virunga National Park covers nearly 8,000km. Five rangers and a driver were killed in April 2018. And last, but not least, the heart-stopping, utterly gorgeous and mysterious Shelleys Crimsonwing, which has never been photographed other than when netted during biodiversity surveys. Over the past 20 years, Virunga has seen many periods of conflict, often beginning in or around the Park. In the wake of serious security issues, including the murder of park rangers and the kidnapping of tourists, park management announced in June 2018 that the park would be closed to tourists until at least the end of the year. Hippo numbers increase to over 2000 for the first time in 20 years. [25], Land laws were reformed in the 1960s after Belgian Congo became independent as the Republic of the Congo, and the land declared property of the state, much to the disadvantage of local people. [4] The Virunga Mountains lie between Lakes Kivu and Edward and extend into Rwanda and Uganda. In 2008, the Congolese National Parks Authority, (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, ICCN), and the Virunga Foundation (then known as the Africa Conservation Foundation), entered into a partnership to manage the Park. Their ambitious peace-building program aims to create 100,000 jobs, providing young Congolese with viable alternatives to conflict-related activities. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The mountains are part of the Albertine rift located at the Great Rift Valley one of the world's largest natural features. Virunga is part of the Albertine Rift (the western branch of the East African Rift) and stretches from the snow-covered peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains in the north to the Virunga Massif in the south. Located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Rwenzoris, or Mountains of the Moon, are the third highest mountain chain in Africa. [14] Park officials are in the process of habituating the chimpanzees, and accompanying the habituation teams is another of the activities on offer in the park. The past 14 years have been far from plain sailing, and the park has suffered its fair share of losses, particularly of the brave rangers dedicated to protecting the park. Learn more about the history of Virunga National Park by exploring the timeline below. Some biologists even believe that a fifth subspecies, called the mountain or Virunga buffalo, should be recognised. Average temperatures in lower altitudes vary from 2328C (7382F), and in higher altitudes from 1624C (6175F), rarely dropping below 14C (57F). [5], Primates present in the national park include mountain gorilla (G. b. beringei), common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), golden monkey, red-tailed monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius), Dent's mona monkey (C. denti), blue monkey (C. mitis), Hamlyn's monkey (C. hamlyni), De Brazza's monkey (C. neglectus), Central African red colobus (Procolobus foai), mantled guereza (Colobus guereza), olive baboon (Papio anubis) and grey-cheeked mangabey (Lophocebus albigena). The region's glaciers, waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa's most beautiful alpine areas. The name "Virunga" is an English version of the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means "volcanoes". This may also be done to protect the highly susceptible apes from human diseases like Covid-19. Conservation protects the mountains alpine vegetation, as well as wildlife that includes the golden monkey and the mountain gorilla. Ethnic groups living in and around Virunga National Park include: The documentary Virunga documents the work of Virunga National Park rangers and the activities of British oil company Soco International within the park. It was created in 1925. The most recent eruption occurred in 2021 and had catastrophic consequences for the human residents of the city of Goma. The park is home to abundant wildlife, including elephants, whose numbers began decreasing in the late 20th century, and lions, which also face various threats. Shoebills prefer to hunt in poorly oxygenated and shallow waters where fish are closer to the surface, using their razor sharp beaks to catch their prey. Description of the Virunga Mountains The Virunga Mountains is located in the East Africa with a chain of volcanoes that are within the borders of the countries Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.The mountain range is said to be a part of the Albertine Rift located in the Great Rift Valley. The Virunga Mountains : 8 Related Volcanoes. The inhabitants inside the national park, whether native or refugees, rely on farming, hunting, fishing, logging and producing charcoal for their livelihoods, all prohibited activities.