Virunga conservation area is comprised of Virunga National Park in Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. Endangered mountain gorillas are spotted in only three countries, that is Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, with a total population census of 1067 individuals. The gorillas are all located in tropical forests, where they are found, and researchers say they are 98% human. Mountain Gorillas live in a family headed by a silverback, mother, and infants.
Mountain Gorillas in Uganda.
Mgahinga National Park is the best destination for gorilla trekking. The park hosts only one gorilla family. Besides gorillas, the park is inhabited by various primates including golden monkeys, baboons, black and white monkeys, L’H’oest monkey, red-tailed monkey, and many more.
Mgahinga National Park is the home of various bird species like the long-billed billed bird, the handsome francolin, blue turacos, kingfishers, Grey crowned bird, ring-necked sparrow, and many more.
Mgahinga can be accessed by either private or public vehicles passing via the Masaka –Mbarara –Kabale route, taking about 9-10 hours, depending on which sector you’re heading to. Although the journey seems to be long, it is worth it due to the beautiful scenery spotted along the way, like Lake Mburo National Park, the beautiful terraces of Kabale, mountains, the Equator, and many more. However, Mgahinga can be also be accessed via Rwanda, which takes about 4-5 hours.
Rwanda Mountain gorillas.
Volcano National Park is located in the southern part of Rwanda in the Virunga Conservation Area, neighboring Uganda and Congo. The park is a home of endangered mountain gorillas and bird species, including the handsome francolin, Ruwenzori turaco, Ruwenzori batis, strange weaver, Ruwenzori double-collared sunbird, dusky crimson-wing, red-faced woodland warbler, collard apalis, and many more. Visitors are briefed to pack comfortable hiking boots, cameras, binoculars, long trousers, long t-shirts, hiking sticks, a raincoat, water & snacks, and many more.
The park can be accessed by private or public vehicles from Kigali airport to the park, taking about 4-5 hours, which is worth the journey. The park headquarters are located in kinigi, which lies 12km north of Musanze, and visitors are advised to be at the headquarters at exactly 7:00 am for a briefing before gorilla trekking.
Congo Mountain Gorillas.
Virunga National Park is located democratic Republic of Congo, largely along the international borders with Uganda and Rwanda in the east. The park covers an area of 8,090 km2 (3,120 sq mi) above sea level. The national park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its rich diversity of habitats, exceptional biodiversity and endemism, and its protection of rare mountain gorilla habitat.
Despite Congo being the home of mountain gorillas, it has been recorded that since 1994, it has been affected by civil wars, which have affected the tourism industry in Congo.
What to pack for gorilla trekking?
- Comfortable hiking boots.
- Long trousers.
- Long t-shirts
- Water & snacks.
- Hiking sticks.
- Rain coat
What are the dos and don’ts of Gorilla trekking?
Visitors are first briefed on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking, including,
- Upon meeting the endangered mountain gorillas, you are allowed to spend a maximum of one hour with them.
- Visitors are divided into 8 groups to visit different gorilla families, thereby avoiding congestion.
- Visitors are advised to lower their voices while in the forest and when they are with mountain gorillas.
- During the gorilla trekking experience, trekkers must maintain a minimum distance of 7 meters (about 21 feet) from the gorillas. This reduces the risk of disease transmission and stress to the animals.
- Visitors under 15 years of age are allowed to track, however, underage children are not allowed.
- Visitors are allowed to use cameras, but without flashlights, which may terrify the gorillas.
- Visitors are given one hour to spend with the mountain gorillas.
- Ill visitors are not allowed to trek mountain gorillas because gorillas may be affected.
How to access parks in the Virunga Massif?
Mgahinga national park
Mgahinga National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda in Kisoro District. The park can be accessed by either road transport of air transport. By road transport, visitors may use either private or public vehicles, taking about 9=10 hours from Kampala using the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route. However, the park can be accessed via Rwanda, which takes about 5 hours.
However, by air transport, visitors may fly from Kajjassi or Entebbe International airport to kisoro airstrip. By flight, the journey takes about one and a half hours to kisoro airstrip, where visitors will have a few drives to the park.
Virunga national park
Virunga National Park is situated in the eastern part of Congo in the Albertine Rift Valley. The park can be accessed by either road or air transport. Visitors may fly into Kigali International Airport or drive to the Rwanda-Congo border at Gisenyi. From there, you will cross into Goma, DR Congo, and continue to the park’s headquarters, which is approximately two hours by car.
Volcano National Park.
The easiest to reach Volcanoes National Park is to use Musanze which was called Ruhengeri which can be reached by using a public transport from Gisenyi, and Kigali on the very day you track (you need to be present at the ORTPN office in Kinigi, along the park entrance, by 07.00), however this is not a dependable choice of using public transport. From Kigali, the park can also be accessed through Tumba and Ruhondo taking about 106 kilometers (2-3 hours’ drive) from Kigali city.
