Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is located in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with an altitude that varies from 680 m in the Semliki River valley to 5,109 m in the Rwenzori Mountains. From the North to South then park stretches to about 300 kms bordering Uganda and Rwanda to the East covering an area of 8,090 km2 .
The Park has two active volcanoes i.e Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira as well as 3,000 faunal and floral species with more than 300 being endemic inclusive of Eastern Gorilla and Golden Monkeys.
Activities in Virunga National Park
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla Trekking is the most prominently carried out activity in the park and this gives you an opportunity to trek and watch the Mountain Gorillas in their natural vegetation habitat. You reach the headquarters where you are briefed on conduct around the Gorillas then later in allocated groups of 8 with a park ranger guide, enter the forest to trek the Gorillas for 3-5 hours looking for them along the trails then after you meet the Gorillas and in an hour stay in their presence taking photos to keep.
Chimpanzee habituation
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Virunga National Park is very exceptional to do in a Forest close near the Park at Tongo Forest. With a Chimpanzee Permit at US $100 per person you enter the green forest and trek the Chimpanzees for some hours as they take you through their daily lifestyle. After the experience, you return to pick up your trekking certificate to take back with you home.
Nature walks
Virunga National Park is perfect for nature walks and hiking as you follow through the green tropical rain forest with dense vegetation. Follow the different directions and sites watching many wildlife animals like buffalos, elephants, different types of monkeys, Thomas cobs and large concentration of hippos.
Landscape viewing
Virunga national park is offers amazing montane landscapes as you view Rwenzori Mountains, the volcanoes in the Virunga conservation area and Afro alpine vegetation of tree ferns and the dense forests as well eroded valleys in the ishango and Sinda regions.