Searching for the top things to do in Virunga National Park? Virunga National Park is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 because of its rich wildlife and natural importance. Virunga National Park covers about 7,800 square kilometers.
Virunga National Park was the first national park to be established in Africa. It was created in 1925 as Albert National Park during the Belgian colonial period. In 1969, after the Democratic Republic of the Congo gained independence from Belgium, the park was renamed Virunga National Park.
The park is home to three types of apes. These are eastern lowland gorillas, mountain gorillas, and eastern chimpanzees. Despite years of political instability in the region, a strong team of park rangers continues to protect the park and its wildlife from poaching and illegal activities.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorilla trekking is one of the top things to do in Virunga National Park. Mountain gorillas live in only three countries in the world. These are Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They share about 98 percent of their DNA with humans.
Gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is more affordable compared to Uganda and Rwanda. Virunga National Park has eight habituated mountain gorilla families. Each family can be visited by a group of up to eight tourists per day. Visitors are allowed to spend one hour with the gorillas, watching their behavior and taking photos.
Bird Watching
Virunga National Park is a great place for bird watching. More than 706 bird species have been recorded in the park. Bird lovers can see species such as Congo peafowl, grey throated barbet, Rwenzori batis, mountain greenbul, barred long tailed cuckoo, Angolan swallow, tropical boubou, and blue headed sunbird.
Volcano Hiking
Hiking volcanoes is another popular activity in Virunga National Park. The park has both active and dormant volcanoes. One of the most famous is Mount Nyiragongo, known for its lava lake. Volcano hikes are guided and offer a challenging but rewarding experience for visitors.
Visit Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage
The Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage is the only gorilla orphanage in the world. It is named after a silverback gorilla called Senkwekwe, who was killed in 2007. The orphanage was set up to care for orphaned gorillas whose mothers or families were killed or taken through illegal wildlife trade.
Nature Guided Walks
Virunga National Park has several guided nature walking trails. These walks allow visitors to explore forests, plains, and river areas. Along the way, you may see wildlife, birds, and different plant species while learning from experienced guides.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Chimpanzee tracking is another activity you can enjoy in Virunga National Park. Chimpanzees are close relatives of humans and live in forest areas of the park. Tracking chimpanzees is cheaper than gorilla trekking and can be added to your Virunga safari for a full primate experience.
Virunga National Park offers many activities that make it one of the most important wildlife destinations in Africa.
