Virunga National Park is located a few kilometers off Goma Town and known to offer amazing Mountain Gorilla Trekking Tours to all travelers interested in watching the amazing primates in their natural forest vegetation habitat. The Park covers an area of 7,800 square kilometers (3,000 square miles) with biodiversity, terrain landscapes that are exceptional to explore. It lies along the Albertine Rift bordering the famous Rwenzori Mountains National Park North and Volcanoes National Park Rwanda in the East.
The Park comprises of Savannahs and rainforests, flora and fauna as the park has more than 2,000 plant species, over 700 bird species and more than 200 mammal species. The species you watch include; Mountain Gorillas, African Elephants, Hippopotamuses, Lions, Okapi, Chimpanzees and Golden Monkeys. Other than these animal species, watch bird species like African fish eagle, shoebill stork, endemic Albertine Rift species.
Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park is the most prominent safari adventure done in the park and this involves transferring to the park headquarters for short briefing on conduct around the Gorillas then later you shall be allocated into groups of 8 with lead park ranger guides who transfer you to the starting points where you leave from to enter the green forest to trek the Mountain Gorillas. You shall trek the Gorillas for a period of 3 to 5 hours following varying trails in the forest and after a while, you shall meet the Gorillas and in an hour, stay in their presence taking many photos to keep. After trekking the Gorillas, you shall return to the headquarters for your trekking certificate.
While in Virunga National Park, travelers can engage in hiking adventures along the famous Mount Nyiragongo Volcano which takes you a period of 6 to 7 hours depending on your physical fitness. En-route you shall view the green terrain, bird species and plains. After a while, you shall reach the summit and take photos of the spewing lava in the air. After the experience, you relax and have Overnight in the shelters.
Note: Nyiragongo is of late under observation due to recent volcanic activity. Always check safety updates and park advisories before visiting.
Wake up have breakfast then transfer to track and observe wild chimpanzees in their natural forest habitat. You embark on walks which start at dawn and offer insights into primate behavior. You shall have a more lovely experience while tracking the chimpanzees as you watch other primates like Golden Mponkeys, Hornbills and Blue Monkeys.
Virunga National Park is awesome to explore on guided nature walk as you transfer with park ranger guides along varied terrain landscapes, savannahs and lava plains to rainforests and alpine meadows. Along the way you watch many bird species i.e 700 recorded like the Ruwenzori turaco and grauer’s swamp warbler. You shall also have views of flora, butterflies, and smaller mammals hence ideal for photographers and birdwatchers.
Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage is situated close to Mikeno Lodge in Rumangabo and is known to inhabit the orphaned mountain gorillas that were rescued from poachers. While at the Orphanage, you shall get a chance to meet the Gorillas up close and learn about their rehabilitation and conservation stories. Take many photos of these Gorillas then transfer to your lodge.
Virunga National Park can be visited anytime around the year although the best time to visit Virunga National Park is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February.