Following the increased threat of militiamen, for example, the M23 earlier in 2024, Virunga National Park in eastern Congo is still closed for tourism. The Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) is responsible for managing Virunga National Park on behalf of its citizens. However, some of its park rangers were attacked, with some losing their lives while others were injured. This resulted in the closure of the national park. Remember, Virunga National Park was also affected by the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo a couple of years ago.
Since Virunga National Park is not safe to explore at the moment, official communication regarding its reopening will be done by the ICCN. We at Standard Safaris will also keep you updated. However, you should contact us at any time about other tourist destinations to explore within the Democratic Republic of Congo and throughout East Africa. Other tourist destinations in the Democratic Republic of Congo currently available for tourism include Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Lake Kivu, and the entire Bukavu region is safe and secure to explore.
About Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is a prime biodiversity hotspot solidifying its status as a major tourist destination in Africa. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that covers approximately 7,769 square kilometers in the Albertine Rift region. It is one of Africa’s oldest national parks, established in 1925. Though Virunga National Park is still closed for tourism, it houses about 200 of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world. The habitat in Virunga is known for its diversity, including Afromontane Forest, swamp, savannah, volcanoes, rivers, and lakes.
Now, apart from the critically endangered mountain gorillas, Virunga National Park has 218 mammal species. There are also 706 species of birds, 109 species of reptiles, 78 species of amphibians, and 2,000 plant species. Among the mammals, there are at least 12 species of primates. These include the gorillas, chimpanzees, olive baboons, De Brazza’s monkeys, red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, golden monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and Dent’s mona monkeys.
Other mammal species include hippos, bush elephants, bay duikers, okapi, aardvark, red river hogs, forest buffaloes, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, Uganda kobs, topi, mongooses, pangolins and leopards. Bird species include those endemic to the Albertine Rift region and others that can be found elsewhere. These include among others the black-bellied turaco, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Shelley’s crimson wing, Rwenzori batis, Rwenzori apalis, strange weaver, Kivu ground thrush, regal sunbird, and chinspot batis.
What to do at Virunga National Park?
Though Virunga National Park is still closed for tourism, it will reopen since it has survived through various other conflicts. The following are some of the key activities that you can do there.
Gorilla trekking tours
Here, you have this exceptional opportunity to locate and spend an hour with a habituated gorilla family. There are at least 8 habituated gorilla families, including Nyakamwe, Munyaga, Lulengo, Rugendo, Mapuwa, Bageni and Kabirizi. This is a guided adventure into the forest with an experienced tracker and armed park rangers. Gorilla trekking tours in Congo’s Virunga National Park are the cheapest compared to Uganda’s and Rwanda’s.
Visit the Senkwekwe Orphanage Center
This place was named in memory of a silverback that was killed along with 3 other gorillas in the year 2007. At the Orphanage Center, you will also find some lowland gorillas. You are allowed to feed the gorillas under instructions from the guide. There is also the golden opportunity of taking photos for your memories.
Guided nature walks
In the pristine ecosystem of Virunga National Park, you are offered opportunities to witness the imposing trees, the thriving undergrowth, and unique wildlife species. This 2 to 3-hour guided tour is done on foot while you move on the rugged grounds. There are more opportunities to capture photos and videos. Enjoy the unpolluted and aromatic atmosphere of Virunga National Park while listening to the sweet songs of the birds around you.
Guided birding tours
The guided birding tours offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of encountering some of if not all the 706 bird species. You will have to equip yourself with a pair of binoculars and follow your guide as you walk on birding trails to encounter some of the rarest bird species you will ever see. You can spend even up to 4 hours walking in the forest watching and taking photos of birds like handsome spurfowl, collared sunbird, and Archer’s ground robin.
Hiking volcanoes
Take on this unique chance to climb the active volcanoes, Nyiragongo at 3,470 meters and Nyamuragira at 3,058 meters. During any of these guided hiking tours, you will spot the world’s largest lava lake, birds, caldera, mountain gorillas, etc. The best time to go for these hiking tours is mostly during the dry season when the ground is less muddy or slippery.
Enjoy the mentioned tour activities with Standard Safaris. With us, you are guaranteed the best tour experiences if Virunga National Park is reopened. With a reputation for taking numerous visitors to Virunga National Park, you will enjoy your experience. We also offer car hire services besides making reservations for accommodation and meals for you to enjoy during your tour in Virunga National Park.
