June to September and December to February
June to September and December to February
L’Hoest’s monkey, the colobus monkey, the golden monkey, and hundreds of bird species
Welcome to the Virunga Mountains National Park in Rwanda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a natural wonder that offers an experience of a lifetime. Located in the northwestern part of Rwanda, Virunga Mountains National Park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas, which are found only in the Virunga Massif, a chain of eight volcanoes that stretches across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Why You Should Visit:
Visiting the Virunga Mountains National Park is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the rare and endangered mountain gorillas up close in their natural habitat. The park offers guided gorilla trekking tours, which provide a unique experience to observe these gentle creatures in their natural environment. Apart from gorilla trekking, there are many other activities that visitors can enjoy such as hiking, bird watching, and cultural tours. The park is also home to golden monkeys, elephants, and various bird species.
Interesting Facts About the National Park:
The best time to visit the Virunga Mountains National Park is during the dry season, which runs from June to September and December to February. During this time, the trails are less muddy, and the weather is generally sunny and pleasant, making it easier to trek through the forest. However, gorilla trekking can be done throughout the year, and visitors are advised to come prepared for rain and mud.
June to September and December to February
from June to September and December to February
L’Hoest’s monkey, the colobus monkey, and the golden monkey, and hundreds of bird species
There are various accommodation options available near the Virunga Mountains National Park that cater to different budgets and preferences. Visitors can choose to stay in lodges, campsites, or budget-friendly guesthouses. Some of the lodges offer luxurious amenities such as swimming pools, spa treatments, and fine dining options, while others provide basic amenities such as hot water and electricity. It is advisable to book accommodation in advance to ensure availability, especially during peak season.
Accessibility:
The Virunga Mountains National Park is easily accessible from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. The park is approximately a three-hour drive from Kigali, and visitors can hire private vehicles or take public transport. It is also possible to fly into Kigali International Airport and then take a connecting flight or drive to the park. Visitors are advised to obtain the necessary permits and visas before traveling to Rwanda.
Once at the park, there are several trails and paths to explore the park, and visitors can hire a guide to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. The park also has well-maintained roads that allow visitors to explore the different parts of the park with ease.
Top things to do in Virunga national park; Virunga national park is the oldest protected area located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the borders with Uganda and Rwanda. The national park covers a total area of 7,800 square kilometers and harbors different animal species including mammals like elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, warthogs, duiker, bush pigs, primates like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys and different bird species like mourning collared dove, black-tailed godwit, brown-throated wattle eye, blue-headed sunbird, thick-billed canary among others.
Mountain Gorilla trekking: A safari in the Virunga national park is incomplete without visiting the endangered mountain gorillas. There are eight habituated Gorilla families in Virunga National Park with the most common and largest family being the Kabirizi family with 32 members. Regardless of which gorilla group you track, gorilla trekking usually starts with briefing early in the morning.
Mount Nyiragongo hike
Hiking Mount Nyiragongo is yet another adventurous activity that shouldn’t be missed during your safari in Virunga national park. Mount nyiragongo is the world’s largest active lava lake and one of the 8 volcanic mountains in Virunga conservation area that stands at an elevation of 3,470 meters above the sea level. Hiking Mount Nyiragongo starts in the morning at around 9:00am with a briefing at the starting point and takes about 5 to 6 hours.
Birding in Virunga national park
Virunga national park is a home of more than 706 recorded bird species including Albertine rift endemic species, Congolese birds, forest birds among others which make it one of the best birding areas in Congo. During bird watching in Virunga national park you will be accompanied by an experienced bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species.
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