This picturesque part of the park adjoins the Rwenzori Mountains and Semuliki National Parks in neighbouring Uganda. Rwanda is located in East Africa, to the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at the co-ordinates 200S 300E . The orphanage is named for a silverback killed in a devastating poaching incident in 2007 that claimed the lives of seven members of the Rugendo family. The word Virunga is got from a local word "Ibirunga* the Kinyarwanda word for "mountains". (UK) +44 (23) 9387-7464 When Albert National Park was established in April 1925 as the Congo's first national park, it was conceived as a science-oriented nature reserve with the aim of studying and preserving wildlife and so-called "primitive" hunter-gatherer African Pygmies. [37] In May 2018, a ranger was killed when defending two tourists who were kidnapped. Lake Rutenzige is fed by several large rivers, the Rutshuru River being one, and drains to the north through the Semliki River into Lake Albert. Even the air is redolent with the scent of rich soil, and intrepid visitors find themselves besieged by butterflies and ebrious with delight at the natural life on show. The Foundation holds the management contract for the Park, which requires it to restore and manage the national park with ICCN. The orphanage is named for a silverback killed in a devastating poaching incident in 2007 that claimed the lives of seven members of the Rugendo family. Mikeno and Sabinio are the oldest of these, dating from the early part of the Pleistocene Epoch (the Pleistocene began about 2,600,000 years ago and lasted until about 11,700 years ago); their craters have disappeared, and erosion has imposed a jagged relief. The great volcanoes of this range, clothed in cloud forests, include the dormant Mikeno, Karisimbi, Visoke, and Sabinio (Sabinyo), as well as the active Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira. The Virunga chained Mountains cover three African countries, including the southwestern of Uganda, which covers Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; the Democratic Republic of Congo in the east, covering the Virunga national park, and Rwanda covering the Volcanoes National park. The southern sector of Congos Virunga National Park includes those portions of the mountains that are within Congo; the southern flanks of the central and eastern mountains comprise Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda; and Gorilla National Park includes the Ugandan slopes of Mgahinga. Virunga is an English derived word from its origin word "ibirunga" (comes . The Rwandan genocide causes nearly two million refugees to flee the country. ceo@africageographic.com, Travel & conservation company, since 1991,

, The oldest national park in Africa, Virunga National Park covers nearly 8,000km. This powerful image of the silverback Senkwekwe brought global attention to this horrific event. [34], These tactics, criticised as "militarization of conservation", has been blamed for further violence and dispossession faced by local indigenous people. They are located between Lake Edward and Lake Kivu. Also known as: Birunga Mountains, Mufumbiro Mountains. 400,000 people are evacuated and 147 are killed in the eruption. The southern sector stretches to the shores of Lake Kivu and encompasses Nyamulagira, Nyiragongo and Mikeno volcanoes with montane forests on their slopes. Government officials supported exploration activities by Soco International mission members, whereas park management opposed. In the course of increasing tensions, the park's chief warden, Emmanuel de Mrode, was assailed in April 2014. The okapi is the closest known relative to the giraffe and looks very much as though someone crossed a zebra, antelope, and giraffe. Over 90% of refugees settle within walking distance of Park borders. The Centre is the only one of its kind in the world. When it was first established, Virunga National Park was limited to three volcanoes in the south, but was later expanded northward to include the Rwindi plains, Lake Edward and the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon. Andre Bauma is the manager of the Senkwekwe Center and heads up the team of dedicated carers responsible for looking after the Center's orphaned mountain gorillas. The range runs east-west, perpendicular to the rift valley in which lie Lakes Kivu and Edward. The Virunga Mountains in Volcanoes Park. Many lesser cones flank the major volcanoes. La Fondation Virunga Belgique was incorporated in 2015 to support Virunga National Park through fundraising and public outreach. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Modern access to the western volcanoes is from Goma and Gisenyi (Rwanda); the remaining mountains are located within the circuit of roads connecting Goma and Rutshuru (Congo), Kisoro (Uganda), and Ruhengeri and Gisenyi (Rwanda). [41][42], On 22 February 2021, Italy's ambassador to the DRC who was travelling with the World Food Programme about 15km north of Goma, Luca Attanasio, as well as Italian military police officer Vittorio Iacovacci and Congolese driver Moustapha Milambo, were killed in the gunfire when a militia that had kidnapped their convoy, and had brought them into the park, was met by park rangers who managed to free four people. [54] Tree heath (Erica arborea), heather and mosses cover humid slopes up to 3,700m (12,100ft) elevation. Baumas love for his primate family endeared him to the audiences of the Oscar-nominated film, Mountain gorillas aside, Virungas great ape collection also includes, While the apes may be the stars, the supporting cast of around 19 smaller primate species is deserving of a special mention. [27][28][29][30], By 2016, four hydropower dams were constructed that provide electricity to small businesses and benefit more than 200,000 rural people. These mountains are part of the Great Rift Valley. Of the population, 12,000 reside in South Africa and 18,000 in East Africa. Poaching intensifies and continues to impact the Park for several years. [13], In the early 1920s, several proponents of the European conservation movement championed the idea of creating a protected area in northeastern Belgian Congo, among them Victor van Straelen, Jean Massart and Jean-Marie Derscheid. The inhabitants inside the national park, whether native or refugees, rely on farming, hunting, fishing, logging and producing charcoal for their livelihoods, all prohibited activities. Ten years later in 1979, Virunga was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Naturally, the park authorities are aware of this, and they take the safety of their guests extremely seriously. In Virungas southern sector around Bukima, there are currently ten habituated gorilla families and four solitary males which are also habituated, meaning that they are unafraid of human presence. In 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.From north to south it extends approximately 300 km (190 mi), largely along the international borders with Uganda and . The main crater of Nyiragongo is about three-quarters of a mile (1.2 km) across and contains a liquid lava pool. The range lies between the Lake Kivu and Lake Edward, and is an extension of the Albertine Rift Mountains. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. and wallow in the various rivers, and bongo antelope have been spotted in the parks northern reaches. [5][21][49][50], African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) inhabit the national park's central sector. The first maps resulted from the major expedition of Adolf Friedrich, duke of Mecklenburg, which was undertaken in 190708. editors@africageographic.com Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site internationally recognized for its exceptional wildlife and habitats. Situated in a region which has been deeply impacted by the effects of war and armed conflict for over 20 years, Virunga is currently protected by a dedicated team of 689 Rangers. [2] It covers an area of 8,090km2 (3,120sqmi). Focussing on three key areas: hydropower, sustainable agriculture and fisheries, and tourism, Virunga National Park is working to economically transform the region creating jobs and reducing poverty rates. However, this is no idle volcano. Situated in the center of the Albertine Rift, between Uganda and Rwanda, Virungas 7,800 square kilometers (3,000 square miles) stretches from the Virunga Massif in the south, to the Rwenzori Mountains in the north. app@africageographic.com At 14,557 feet (4,437 meters) Mount Mikeno is the second highest peak in the Virunga mountains and the 13th highest mountain of Africa. To mark Congolese independence from colonialism, Parc Albert is renamed Virunga National Park. Tourism facilities were developed and improved, and a trickle of intrepid visitors gradually turned into a steady stream of people looking to experience one of Africas most incredible destinations. [61][62] Ndakasi, a gorilla from the park, was featured in a few television series and movies, including the Netflix documentary.[63]. [39], In April 2020 at least 12 park rangers were killed by militia men attacking a civilian convoy. They are situated in the same region at the borders of the three countries. Though Virunga is accessible year-round (if open to visitors), the best time to visit is during the drier months, from June until September or December until February. Their ambitious peace-building program aims to create 100,000 jobs, providing young Congolese with viable alternatives to conflict-related activities. The oldest national park in Africa, Virunga National Park covers nearly 8,000km2 (800,000 hectares) an area roughly three times the size of Luxembourg. The Virunga Mountains lie between Lakes Kivu and Edward and extend into Rwanda and Uganda. In the west, Nyamulagira, Nyiragongo, and Mikeno are in Congo; Karisimbiat 14,787 feet the highest of the Virunga volcanoesand Visoke are centrally placed on the Congo-Rwanda frontier; and farther east Sabinio (Sabinyo), Mgahinga (Gahinga), and Muhavura, also known as the Mufumbiro Mountains, are . Eastern Congo is one of the most economically disadvantaged places on earth, and competition for the Parks rich natural resources has always been fierce. Today, they are probably the parks most famous residents. [2] Latter controlled the Mikeno sector of Virunga National Park between December 2006 and January 2009. Mass killings of nearly 400 hippos are orchestrated by local militia who are suspected of eating and selling the meat and removing teeth for ivory. Here dedicated keepers have raised the young survivors of anthropogenic cruelty (poaching and snaring), as well as rehabilitating eastern lowland gorillas. [46] The name "Virunga" is an English version of the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means "volcanoes". Learn more about the Okapi Conservation Project, a project working to protect these unique mammals in the DRC, as well as the forests and creatures of Okapi Wildlife Reserve. Throw in nocturnal displays of volcanic ambivalence, and the Virunga experience is far beyond the average escape from the humdrum of city life it is an exhilarating embrace of everything that makes Africa truly wild. Visitors who brave the climb to the summit of Mt. Though there are innumerable reasons to want to visit Virunga National Park, the potential insecurity in the region is of concern to many prospective visitors. In addition to buffalo, the plains support several ungulates, including topi, Ugandan kob, waterbuck, warthog, and red river and giant forest hog. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Mount Mikeno is an extinct volcano located in the Virunga Mountains. This articles lists and explains more about the . The female, with a wingspan of up to 8 feet (2.4 meters), is larger than the male. (US) +1 (786) 655-4040, *Call costs: Local rates apply from South Africa, UK and US otherwise international rates apply, newsletter@africageographic.com Here is a summary of the most important information about the hike that can become one of the most amazing experiences of your life. Learn more about the history of Virunga National Park by exploring the timeline below. In 2007, the mass killing of the Rugendo family of gorillas catapulted the parks plight onto the world stage, and the global attention spurned increased funding and conservation measures. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. There are a couple of different lodges scattered throughout the park, and the choice of activity (gorilla treks, Lava treks up Nyiragongo, game drives and so on) will determine the best place to stay. Each offers a different view of the lush vegetation and exquisite vistas. Hiking the Sabyinyo volcano takes approximately 7 to 9 hours. Virunga Mountains in Congo were formed as a result of volcanic activity from the past. Virunga owes its existence, at least in part, to the presence of the endangered (, . Oil exploration by an English company only added to threats facing the already beleaguered park. In elevation, it ranges from 680m (2,230ft) in the Semliki River valley to 5,109m (16,762ft) in the Rwenzori Mountains. At a height of 16,761 feet (5,109 meters), the Rwenzori mountains feature the largest glaciers left on the African continent making this area, populated by glaciers-fed rivers, waterfalls and lakes, one of Africas most beautiful alpine landscapes. is the branch of the Congolese government tasked with the protection and conservation of protected areas in the DRC. The protected area is a portion of the Virunga massif a chain of 8 volcanic mountains that straddle the borders between Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. January 17, Nyiragongo volcano erupts spreading lava through the city of Goma. The mountains are part of the Albertine rift located at the Great Rift Valley one of the world's largest natural features. Furthermore, a substantial number of these are Albertine Rift and Congolese endemics. UNESCO designated the park a World Heritage site in 1979, and it was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1994, because of the growth of permanent settlements within the park and the influx of a great number of refugees fleeing war in neighbouring Rwanda. Want to go on a safari to Virunga? Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Virunga National Park is a national park in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. [2], The northern sector of Virunga National Park is contiguous with Uganda's Semuliki park, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, and the central sector with Queen Elizabeth National Park. [2], In 1996, the national park was listed as a Ramsar site of international importance. The gorilla massacres catalyzed a groundswell of efforts to protect Virunga. [24], In the late 1950s, Tutsi herders and their cattle entered the park, destroying natural habitat up to an altitude of 3,000m (9,800ft), which was thought to threaten the park's gorillas. Here, Virunga reaches Lake Kivu and borders Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. The central sector is based around Lake Edward, the Ishasha river valley and the Rwindi plains. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Every morning, rangers set out at the crack of dawn to track down and monitor their charges, and by the time guests have stirred and downed their first coffee, many families have already been located. Its northern sector encompasses part of the Semliki River basin, as well as savanna and montane forest of the Albertine Rift. Mount Nyiragongo is 3,470 meters, Mount Nyamuragira is 3,058 meters and Mount Mikeno is 4,437 meters. Mean monthly rainfall in the savanna around Lake Edward is 3040mm (1.21.6in); this is the driest part of the landscape. The park is also home to a diverse array of fauna and flora, including over 200 mammal species and a third of the worlds remaining mountain gorillas. Baumas love for his primate family endeared him to the audiences of the Oscar-nominated film, Virunga.

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