Virunga National Park is located in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Established as a national park in 1925, it covers an area of 8,090 square kilometers.
The park lies along the borders of Rwanda and Uganda with the Democratic Republic of Congo and is managed by the Virunga Foundation, which oversees all tourism activities within the park.
Two of the eight Virunga Mountains, Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira, are located within the park and contribute to wildlife conservation as they provide natural habitats.
While mountain gorillas are the main attraction, the park is home to many other species of animals.
The park boasts over 196 mammal species, more than 700 bird species, 100 reptile species, and 65 amphibian species.
Mammals include chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, Central African red colobus, olive baboons, and African bush elephants.
Bird species in the park include the Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis, blue-headed sunbird, red-faced woodland warbler, African hobby, mountain buzzard, grey-crowned crane, and African olive pigeon.
Virunga National Park is also home to over 2,000 plant species, including 200 tree species.
It features wetlands, grasslands, and papyrus in its plains, with montane forests at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,800 meters above sea level.
The park’s local population consists of four ethnic groups: the Mbuti, Hutu, Tutsi, and Basingora people.
Climate of Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park experiences a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging between 23-28°C in the lowlands and 16-24°C at higher altitudes.
The wettest months are from March to May and September to November, when the park receives significant rainfall and temperatures tend to drop.
The dry months, from June to August and December to February, experience higher temperatures.
Gorilla Families in Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is home to eight gorilla families that can be trekked year-round.
However, the best time for trekking is during the dry season when trails are easier to navigate.
The dry months are from June to August and December to February.
The gorilla families include:
- Kabirizi Gorilla Family
- Rugendo Gorilla Family
- Mapuwa Gorilla Family
- Lulengo Gorilla Family
- Munyaga Gorilla Family
- Nyakamwe Gorilla Family
- Bageni Gorilla Family
Cost of Virunga Gorilla Permits
Gorilla permits in Virunga National Park cost USD 400 per person per trek.
How to Access Virunga National Park
Tourists can fly into Goma International Airport and then travel by road to the park, which is about a one-hour drive.
Alternatively, tourists can fly into Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, then travel to Gisenyi, a town near the Rwanda-Democratic Republic of Congo border.
From Gisenyi, they can travel 3 to 4 hours by road to reach the park.
Virunga Tourist Activities
- Gorilla trekking
- Nyiragongo hike
- Bird-watching
- Chimpanzee habituation
- Educational trails
- Landscape viewing
Accommodation in Virunga National Park
- Virunga Inn Resort and Spa
- Virunga Hotel
- Virunga Hotel and Campsite
- Kibumba Tented Camp
- Tchegera Tented Camp
- Mikeno Lodge
