Democratic Republic of Congo National Parks

Virunga National Park (VNP)

Virunga National Park was created in 1929 as the first African national park for the protection of the gorillas. It is named after the eight volcanoes mountains located within its Southern territory, of which the Niyragongo and Nyamulagira are still active volcanoes. The actual Virunga National Parc was founded in 1960 after Congo Independence, with the size of 7.800 sq Km along the Ugandan border for over 300 km. The Park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area, which comprises three contiguous national parks - Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Parc National des Volcans (PNV) in Rwanda, plus Virunga.
In 1979 the Park was designated as World Heritage Site and become well known for the mountains gorillas tracking activities. It is managed by the Congolese National Park Authorities or "Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature" (ICCN).
The administration of the park is divided in three different sectors. The Northern region is covering the territory from Rwenzori Mountains to the northern shores of Lake Edward. The Central region covers the Lake Edward and the planes of Rwindi, with the river Rutshuru. The Southern sector is dominated by the chain of volcanoes mountains before reaching Lake Kivu, a natural barrage along the Rift Valley.

Species. In the Northern sector, in the bamboo forest of Mount Tshiaberimu there is a small population of Lowland gorillas or Gorilla Gorilla Graueri and chimpanzees. In the forest of Watalinga it is found the opaki, typical of Congo. In the central sector along the Rutshuru river there are hippos, while in Rwindi plans there are lions, buffaloes, kobs, elephants, giraffes. In the Southern sector and tropical rain forests there is a lively population of mountains gorillas.

Activities. The main activity for which the Park is well known is the mountains gorilla tracking in the Southern sector. In 2006 the population of mountains gorillas is deemed to have increased. There are six habituated gorillas families which is possible to visit, previous booking of the "gorilla permit". The activity is starting from the Ugandan border in Kisoro.

The climbing of Nyiragongo, one of the active volcanoes, is one of the activities. You will start from Goma and reach up to the base of the volcano. The first part of the trail goes through beautiful rainforest with birds singing in the background. After a while you leave the forest and start walking on the solidified lava rock from the 2002 eruption.
Half way up the mountain you can see where the lava erupted through the side of the volcano, in contrast to the previous eruptions from the top. The path gets steeper going up to the remains of the three metal huts which can be used for shelter and cooking. There are good views over the volcanoes, Lake Kivu and Goma town. During the day there is a clear view of the volcano crater with the lava at the bottom. The ascent to the peak can also be done at night (using torches and head lamps). There is a red glow in the big volcano pot with the lava bubbling below. It sounds like the sea! The lights of the town and the fishing boats can be seen on the lake.

Kahuzi - Biega National Parc (KBNP)

The park is named after two mountains, Mt. Kahuzi (3.308 m.) and Mt. Biega (2.790 m.). With its 6.000 sq km in size, located in the South Kivu region of Congo, it has been designated World Heritage Site.
The main attraction of the park is the high population of Lowland Gorillas or Gorilla Gorilla Graueri, about 300. The environment is the tropical rain forest.