Guide to Virunga Conservation Area also known as Virunga Massif! In this blog, Superfine Safaris Limited brings you detailed information and a guide to the Virunga Conservation Area. The Virunga Conservation Area is a popular tourism destination for gorilla safaris in East and Central Africa. The Virunga Conservation Area is shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The conservation area is home to the chain of Eight Virunga mountains which make it the best place for Volcano hiking and adventure. Mountain gorilla trekking is the most done travel experience in the Virunga Conservation Area. The Massif shelters half of the world’s total gorilla population while the other gorilla population lives in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Top attractions in Virunga Conservation Area
There are lots of attractions in the Virunga Conservation Area. However, we bring you the list of top things, the must-see things on your African safari to the Virunga Conservation Area. These include
Mountain Gorillas
As we said earlier, mountain gorillas are the major attraction for travelers to the Virunga Conservation Area. Gorilla trekking in the Virunga Massif can be done in any of the three gorilla national parks that make up the Virunga Massif. These gorilla parks are Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda, Virunga National Park in Eastern Congo, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the south western Uganda
Gorilla safaris in Volcanoes National Park
Spanning over 160 square kilometers, Volcanoes National Park shelters the most number of gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area. Over 350 gorillas are said to inhabit the bamboo forest of Volcanoes National Park. The park is managed by the African Parks who work hand in hand with the Rwanda Development Board to promote gorilla conservation and Rwanda gorilla safaris.
10 gorilla families are habituated for trekking in Volcanoes National Park. These include the Hirwa Family, Karisimbi Family, Amahoro family, Agashya family, Umubano family, Susa A Family, Pablo Family, Titus Family, and Kwitonda gorilla family. Each family received a group of eight travelers for a maximum of an hour. 80 Rwanda gorilla permits are issued every day at $1500 per permit. Rwanda is the best place for luxury gorilla tours
Gorilla Safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Home to the one and only Nyakagyezi gorilla family, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park shelters the least number of gorillas. There are roughly 30 gorillas that live together in this one family. Each day, 8 gorilla permits are available for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Each permit costs $800. Mgahinga Gorilla National park is a must visit on your Uganda gorilla safaris
Gorilla safaris in Virunga National Park
Congo gorilla safaris in Virunga National Park are on halt! The park was closed for tourism to first deal with insecurities and rebel attacks that had become a threat to travelers. Superfine Safaris Limited will keep travelers updated when the park reopens for tourism. Eight gorilla families are habituated in Virunga National Park and each Congo gorilla permit costs $450.
Virunga Mountains
Virunga Conservation area comprises eight Virunga mountains which are shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most of these Volcanoes share the borders of two countries. Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira are the only active mountains in the Virunga Massif. Superfine Safaris offers guided mountain hiking tours to Mt Karisimbi, Bisoke, and other dormant Virunga volcanoes at a pocket-friendly budget. The popular hiking packages include 2-day Mount Karisimbi hike, 1 Day Mt Bisoke Hike, and 3-day Mt Nyiragongo Volcano hiking tours. The Virunga Mountains are listed below
- Mt Nyiragongo in Congo
- Mount Nyamuragira in Congo
- Mount Karisimbi in Rwanda and Congo
- Mount Bisoke in Rwanda & Congo
- Mount Mikeno in Congo
- Mount Gahinga in Uganda & Congo
- Mount Muhabura in Uganda & Congo
- Mount Sabyinyo in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo
Golden Monkeys
Inhabited in the jungles of Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, golden monkeys are yet another common attraction in the Virunga Conservation Area. Golden monkey trekking gives you a chance to interact with these lively creatures in their natural habitats. The primates are normally trekking alongside gorillas to make a complete primate trekking experience. The cost of trekking golden monkeys in both parks is $100 and it is worth it.
Birds
YES, birds also attract clients to the Virunga Conservation Area. Altogether, the Virunga Massif is home to 1,565 birds shared between the three parks. Mgahinga is believed to host 180 birds, Volcanoes National Park 200 birds while Virunga National Park shelters over 1185 birds. Some of the birds in these parks are endemic and rarely found anywhere else. Birding in each park is unique in its kind and worth doing.
Batwa pygmies
Batwa pygmies are the original dwellers of Mgahinga , Bwindi, and Volcanoes National Parks. After the introduction of gorilla trekking and conservation. Batwa were evicted from forests and sent to live in communities surrounding the gorilla parks. A cultural visit to Batwa pygmies is an opportunity to learn and experience their traditional forest life. A live example is the Batwa cultural trail in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
In this tour, batwa pygmies lead travelers into Mgahinga Forest where they perform their traditional practices. These include hiding in caves, picking herbal medicine, collecting honey, hunting, making firewood, and many more. Batwa pygmies also perform their traditional songs and dances as they entertain travelers. A safari to the Virunga Conservation Area without visiting Batwa is counted as incomplete! Batwa cultural trail costs $80pp
Dian Fossey Graveyard
Hiking to the Graveyard of Dian Fossey is among the top interests for travelers to Volcanoes National Park. The American primatologist was killed by poachers during her campaign to save the endangered gorillas that were almost becoming extinct. On good days, travelers hiking to the graveyard of Dian Fossey meet with gorillas in the jungle.
Burera and Ruhondo Twin Lakes
These twin lakes are a not miss on your Rwanda safari to Volcanoes National Park. They are among the water sources in the park. A boat ride at the lake is exciting and memorable offering you spectacular views of the park, Virunga volcanoes, and local communities.
Conclusively Virunga Conservation Area/Massif is a center of adventure experiences in East and Central Africa. Contact Superfine Safaris Limited for your gorilla trekking safaris, Golden monkeys, Virunga Mountains and other adventure experiences at affordable rates.
