Why visit Virunga National Park?
The Park abounds with breathtaking sights – dense jungles, vast bubbling lava lakes, wide savannah plains and glacier-clad mountains. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, a visit to Virunga is an experience unlike any other.
How much does the Virunga National Park visa cost?
The cost of the visa is USD 105. To qualify for a tourist visa, you must first purchase a package. Tourist visas purchased online through Virunga National Park are non-refundable. Once you have booked a package and have received confirmation of your payment, you will receive an order number immediately.
How do I contact the Virunga tourism office?
For general questions about the Park, please email [email protected]. For tourism related questions, please email [email protected]. Virunga's tourism office in location in Goma, at the Grand Barrier border crossing. Q. What forms of payment can I use in Virunga?
What happens when I arrive at Virunga?
If arriving by plane, a Virunga staff will meet you at the arrivals area upon clearing passport control. In both cases, Virunga staff will guide you to the appropriate transport thereafter.
How much does it cost to go to Virunga?
Virunga national park is the cheapest gorilla destination. A gorilla permit goes for $450. This may appear expensive until you compare it with the $1500 charged in Rwanda and the $700 in Uganda. The gorilla permit only grants you access to the park and to the primates.
Why is Virunga National Park in danger?
The park's magnificent volcanic mountain ranges and endemic species placed it on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Political insecurity, poaching, and resource extraction landed the park on the List of World Heritage in Danger, where the park's status has remained since 1994.
What is the status of Virunga National Park?
Virunga National Park is placed on the list of endangered World Heritage sites.
Is it safe to see gorillas in Congo?
Mountain Gorillas in Africa can only be seen in three (03) Countries; Uganda, Rwanda & DR. Congo. Only Uganda and Rwanda are currently considered the safest places to see Mountain Gorillas in Africa.
Why is Virunga closed?
Virunga National Park Temporarily Closes Mountain Gorilla Tourism Due to COVID-19. As a result of the rapidly unfolding situation regarding the global spread of COVID-19, Virunga National Park has today taken the difficult decision to temporarily close mountain gorilla tourism as of Monday 23rd March.
How many gorillas are there in Virunga National Park?
300 Gorillas, 4 Million People Because Virunga has nine gorilla groups that are habituated (meaning unafraid of humans), each group is visited no more than once a day.
Is Virunga open?
The Virunga national park is currently open for only the hike up Mount Nyiragongo and the mountain gorilla trekking experience staying in the Kibumba tented camp. This is majorly because of the less traffic and the COVID-19 protocols that have to be put in place.
Why do people visit Virunga National Park?
Welcome to Virunga National Park It's home to more mammal, bird and reptile species than any other protected areas on the planet – including three extraordinary taxa of Great Apes. The Park abounds with breathtaking sights – dense jungles, vast bubbling lava lakes, wide savannah plains and glacier-clad mountains.
Are Soco still in Virunga?
UK oil company Soco has ended its oil exploration operations in Virunga.
What to do if a gorilla approaches you?
If a gorilla moves closer to you, you stay still and let him pass by. If you happen to be standing exactly where a gorilla wants to be, just give him the space and let him move as he likes. If the gorilla approaches you and then sits down, you should slowly move away to resume the 7-meter distance.
Are gorilla treks safe?
Summary. Gorilla trekking is very safe – accompanied by an expert guide and the right mindset, your experience with the mountain gorillas will be as safe as it is moving.
How can you be safe around gorillas?
Follow the Gorilla Trekking Rules: Mountain gorillas are very calm and peaceful unless threatened. To avoid irritating them, keep a distance of about 7 meters even when they approach you. Always stick with your group under the leadership of the park Rangers and Guides.
Who Murdered the Virunga gorillas?
Two villagers were found guilty for their involvement in the gorilla murders and given eight-month sentences. “It is difficult to know who pulled the trigger,” attorney Cingoro had told me before I met with Ngobobo, “but Mashagiro orchestrated the killing of the gorillas.
What has been the greatest threat to the mountain gorillas?
Habitat Loss The primary threat to mountain gorillas is from the clearance and degradation of their native afromontane forest home. As the region's growing human population struggles to eke out a living, they encroach on the park system for its land and resources.
Is Soco still in Virunga?
A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. UK oil company Soco has ended its oil exploration operations in Virunga.
Who owns Virunga National Park?
Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la NatureIn elevation, it ranges from 680 m (2,230 ft) in the Semliki River valley to 5,109 m (16,762 ft) in the Rwenzori Mountains....Virunga National ParkArea7,768.93 km2 (2,999.60 sq mi)EstablishedApril 1925Governing bodyInstitut Congolais pour la Conservation de la NatureWebsitevirunga.org21 more rows
Where is Virunga National Park?
Virunga national park is located in the Eastern province of D.R. Congo where it borders Uganda and Rwanda, it happens to be the oldest National Park in Africa and the second oldest in the whole world (The first being Yellowstone national park). This park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979; covering 7800sqkms. However, due to the political conflict and poaching in 1994, it was pronounced a site in danger. The park is named after Virunga Mountain ranges that lies south of the park.
What is the most famous volcano in Virunga National Park?
The experience in the park exceeds wild life and also includes hiking the Nyiragongo volcano. Virunga national park is home to the active Nyiragongo volcano in its center whose summit harbors the largest lava lake in the world. Records show that it has erupted for over 30 times and the last one was in 2002 when the lava lake drained and lava flowed to the nearby communities and destroyed part of Goma town. Tourist hike up to the summit of the volcano and have a clear view of the dazzling lake with lots of fumes coming out of melilite and nephelinite.
How many gorilla families are there in Virunga National Park?
With eight habituated gorilla families in the park, Virunga national park is one of the four parks in the world harboring the only remaining endangered mountain Gorillas in the whole world thus making it the most done activity in the park. The largest family in the park with roughly 32 members and one silver back is called Kabirizi gorilla family. Other families in the park include Humba, Rugendo, Lulengo, Mapuwa and Munyaga among others.
What is the best place to see the landscapes of neighboring countries?
Virunga national park is the best site for viewing the eye catching landscapes in the neighboring countries. This includes the jagged relief and snow summits of Rwenzori Mountains. The Volcanoes in the Virunga conservation area are connected with the Afro alpine vegetation of Tree ferns and the thick forests. Tourists see the eroded valleys spotted in the Sinda and Ishango region. This view gives an extra ordinary experience to all tourists since all these can be viewed from the comfort of your lodge in the park.
Is Virunga National Park safe?
However, after three years of unrest, the southern sector of Virunga National park has been considered safe for visitors with over 100 travelers storming these sites every month. The park consists of magnificent variety of habitats ranging from swamps and steppes to the snow fields of Rwenzori, and from Savannah rangelands to the lava plains on the slopes of the Volcanoes.
Where is Virunga National Park?
Located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Virunga is one of the world’s most biodiverse treasures and Africa’s oldest National Park. It’s home to more mammal, bird and reptile species than any other protected areas on the planet – including three extraordinary taxa of Great Apes.
How much does a visa for Virunga cost?
The cost of the visa is USD 105 .
What is included in Virunga package?
Package price also includes accommodation, meals (with the exception of Nyiragongo), laundry service during your stay in the Park and relevant Park permits. Please use the comment section at checkout to let us know of any dietary restrictions. Not included in the package price: drinks, gratuities, anything of personal nature including items from the gift shops. Backpacks with volcano gear, including food and a cook, are available for a fee for those having booked a volcano trek.
How to apply for a Congolese visa?
Please proceed to the online visa application, enter your order number at the top of the form, fill in the remaining fields, and click submit. As Congolese visas can take some time to process, it is advisable to apply as soon as you make your package booking. Tourists visas obtained through the Park will be sent electronically two weeks prior to your travel date via the e-mail address you provide at the time of your booking.
Which countries allow nationalities to obtain visas?
Countries such as Rwanda and Uganda allow some nationalities to obtain visas upon arrival to their main airports, however, it is up to the individual traveler to verify visa requirements in advance of arrival. Important Visa Notes. Virunga National Park only acts as a facilitator in the visa process.
How tall is Nyiragongo?
Guests looking to try their hand at mountaineering can climb the 5,109 m (16,761 ft) Rwenzori Mountains in the Park’s northern sector to explore high montane forests, before emerging to find the largest snow-capped glaciers left on the African continent.
Is Virunga National Park open to tourists?
A. Virunga National Park is currently welcoming tourists. The safety of our visitors is of the highest priority and our staff consistently assess the situation on the ground to ensure appropriate security protocols are in place. If any signs indicate a security issue, management may decide to temporarily close one or more of its attractions. All bookings for these attractions will be refunded in full or alternative options offered. All visitors must make an assessment on advice from their respective consular services.If you have any further queries, please contact the tourism team by email [email protected].
Safety of Virunga National Park
- Like we said, DR Congo in the past years suffered with constant political and civil wars. In May 2018, Virunga national park was temporary closed due to kidnapping of two British tourists that had come to visit the park. However, safety measures were put in place to avoid any future occurrence of the incidents that happened in the past and the park...
Safety of Tourism Activities in Virunga National Park
- Virunga national park features various tourist activities ranging from the adventurous gorilla trekking experiences, mount Nyiragongo hiking, nature walks, Chimpanzee tracking to visiting the Senkwenkwe gorilla orphanage center. Are you wondering if it is safe to visit Virunga national park for the above-mentioned activities, well, we are here to answer you; Yes, Virunga national park is …
Safety During Transit to Virunga National Park
- Before travelling to Virunga national park, you are strongly advised to book for your safari in advance through a trust tour operator or directly with the national park to avoid any disappointments. This is so because the park is very conscious about the security and you need to book as early as possible to enable the park management make necessary preparations for y…