The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift Mountains, which border the western branch of the East African Rift. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Virunga-National-Park, UNESCO World Heritage Centre - Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa). Mount Nyiragongo in Virunga National Park is one . These mountains are part of the Great Rift Valley. 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 . Only one mountain of the 8 is an active volcano that is Mount Nyiragongo found in DRCongo. The past 14 years have been far from plain sailing, and the park has suffered its fair share of losses, particularly of the brave rangers dedicated to protecting the park. The mountain range is said to be a part of the Albertine Rift located in the Great Rift Valley. The southern sector stretches to the shores of Lake Kivu and encompasses Nyamulagira, Nyiragongo and Mikeno volcanoes with montane forests on their slopes. Individual volcanoes bear Rwandan descriptive names, such as Sabinio (Sabinyo; Old Man with Large Teeth) and Muhavura (Landmark, or Guide). Corrections? Around one third of the world population of critically endangered mountain gorillas live in the lush volcanic forests of Virunga National Park. The Virunga Mountains : 8 Related Volcanoes. The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. However, this is no idle volcano. Both state security services and such groups also resort to armed robberies and kidnapping for income. The 300km-long park is divided into three primary sectors: northern, central, and southern, which together combine to protect an astonishing array of landscapes from alpine vegetation and montane forests to lava plains and wetlands. This variation is determined by a number of factors such as the soil type, soil depth, animals and invertebrates in the area, and minerals within the soil. While many of the gorillas sensibly prefer to reside on the slopes of the dormant Mikeno volcano, the southern section is also the location of the two active volcanoes in the park Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira. 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. Only 629 hippos remain in the Park, a 98% decrease from the 30,000 of the 1960s and 1970s. The, However, this is no idle volcano. [19], In 1934, the Institut des Parcs Nationaux du Congo Belge was founded as the governing body for national parks in the Belgian Congo. Learn more about the history of Virunga National Park by exploring the timeline below. Regional conflict spills over and an estimated 5.6 million Congolese die from the fighting. Tullow Oil Plc, TotalEnergies, ENI and China National Offshore Oil Corporation Ltd (CNOOC) were interested in acquiring drilling permissions. Most visitors access the park via Rwanda and pass through the border at Goma. Mountain gorillas aside, Virungas great ape collection also includes eastern lowland gorillas (Grauers gorillas Gorilla beringei graueri) and chimpanzees. Notable species include the prehistoric-looking shoebills, dashing Rwenzori turacos, mind-blowingly cryptic African green broadbills, and bizarre red-collared mountain babblers whose closest relative forages the slopes of Mt Jupe in Cameroon. Fortunately, stalwart sightseers can rest assured that the volcanos moods are carefully monitored lest it decides to let loose its fury of molten lava. Networking & debating APP subscribers only, TRUSTED CONSERVATION PROJECTS Sabyinyo volcano, located on the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo in the Virunga Mountains, is simply incredible! Okapis are endangered, and there are probably only a few thousand remaining. Farther north are the Rutshuru Falls and the Mai ya Moto sulfur springs. It is . African fish eagles are birds of prey that live in the waterways of sub-Saharan Africa. [8] They were subsequently released unharmed. Here is a summary of the most important information about the hike that can become one of the most amazing experiences of your life. / 2.000S 30.000E / -2.000; 30.000. Located in East Africa, the Virunga Mountains are a series of volcanoes that extends along northern part of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Uganda. On several occasions a lava stream reached the shores of Lake Kivu. 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. However, another creature is arguably Virungas (and Africas) most peculiar offering. The gorilla massacres catalyzed a groundswell of efforts to protect Virunga. Virunga National Park is one of the five UNESCO protected areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the ICCN. As a consequence, the park remained closed to visitors from June 2018[38] until February 2019. La Fondation Virunga Belgique was incorporated in 2015 to support Virunga National Park through fundraising and public outreach. Described by the Virunga park authorities as the Congos real treasure (rather than oil or metals), there are believed to be over 300 of these precious primates within the park. However, taking one taxing step at a time has paid off. At 26,338 square kilometres (10,169 sq mi), Rwanda is the world's 149th-largest country. During the 2002 eruption, some of Nyiragongos lava flows were clocked at 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) and reached all the way to Lake Kivu. [45] The park is a crucial habitat for giant and tree pangolin, crested porcupine and even Lord Derbys scaly-tailed squirrel (a rodent with a very similar design to flying squirrels). Lake Edward is a vital resource for local fishermen. Over the past 20 years, Virunga has seen many periods of conflict, often beginning in or around the Park. 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. Virunga staff are caught in the fighting, but maintain their presence and eventually negotiate Park access to protect the mountain gorillas. Virunga is the only site on earth to have three types of great apes the mountain gorilla, eastern lowland gorilla, and eastern chimpanzee. Mount Nyiragongo is 3,470 meters, Mount Nyamuragira is 3,058 meters and Mount Mikeno is 4,437 meters. The M23 Rebellion erupts in and around the Park. [34], Five rangers were killed in August 2017 near Lake Edward in a militia attack. Some biologists even believe that a fifth subspecies, called the mountain or Virunga buffalo, should be recognised. The Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey to observe gorillas in their native habitat, is located between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. The Virunga Mountains is located in the East Africa with a chain of volcanoes that are within the borders of the countries Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.The mountain range is said to be a part of the Albertine Rift located in the Great Rift Valley. Updates? [46] The rapid population surge causes environmental damage, and Virungas Rangers struggle to protect the forests. Today, they are probably the parks most famous residents. Virunga is part of the Albertine Rift (the western branch of the East African Rift) and stretches from the snow-covered peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains in the north to the Virunga Massif in the south. Naturally, the park authorities are aware of this, and they take the safety of their guests extremely seriously. There is something about the familiarity of their facial expressions, their familial bonds and the calm, contained power that makes gorilla trekking unlike any conventional animal encounter. The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift Mountains, which border the western branch of the East African Rift. Both the highest and lowest recorded rainfalls in the republic occur within the parks boundaries: while annual rainfall at Lake Edward is some 20 inches (500 mm), the west slope of Mount Ruwenzori, less than 47 miles (75 km) away, receives more than 118 inches (3,000 mm). The most recent eruption occurred in 2021 and had catastrophic consequences for the human residents of the city of Goma. [2], In 1996, the national park was listed as a Ramsar site of international importance. [44] Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site internationally recognized for its exceptional wildlife and habitats. The Virunga Mountains lie between Lakes Kivu and Edward and extend into Rwanda and Uganda. There are an estimated 30,000 individuals left in the wild. [26] Park personnel are given paramilitary training and high-quality weaponry, and operate together with the military and state security services. Average temperatures in lower altitudes vary from 2328C (7382F), and in higher altitudes from 1624C (6175F), rarely dropping below 14C (57F). Virunga National Park is a national park in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ten years later in 1979, Virunga was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Oil exploration by an English company only added to threats facing the already beleaguered park. The region's glaciers, waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa's most beautiful alpine areas. In 1926, Derscheid headed the first Belgian mission to map Albert National Park, which encompassed an area of 500km2 (190sqmi) around the extinct volcanoes Mount Karisimbi and Mount Mikeno. The northern sector receives a monthly mean precipitation of up to 220mm (8.7in), and the southern sector of up to 160mm (6.3in). Virunga owes its existence, at least in part, to the presence of the endangered (once critically endangered) mountain gorillas. The oldest mountain is Mount Sabyinyo, which rises 3,634 metres (11,923ft) above sea level. He even attended the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles. The increased human population contributed to deforestation and poaching, and some natural animal migration patterns have been seriously disrupted. The ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature). [5], Primates present in the national park include mountain gorilla (G. b. beringei), common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), golden monkey, red-tailed monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius), Dent's mona monkey (C. denti), blue monkey (C. mitis), Hamlyn's monkey (C. hamlyni), De Brazza's monkey (C. neglectus), Central African red colobus (Procolobus foai), mantled guereza (Colobus guereza), olive baboon (Papio anubis) and grey-cheeked mangabey (Lophocebus albigena). Communities, such as the Mbuti, which previously relied on the lands included in the park for food and shelter have been forced out, or risk being arrested or killed by armed park rangers. From north to south it extends approximately 300km (190mi), largely along the international borders with Uganda and Rwanda in the east. The range runs east-west, perpendicular to the rift valley in which lie Lakes Kivu and Edward. Virunga national park located in the democratic republic of Congo hosts 6 Virunga volcanoes that is mount karisimbi, mount Nyiragongo, mount Sabyinyo, mount Mikeno, mount Nyamurangira, and Mount Bisoke. Their ambitious peace-building program aims to create 100,000 jobs, providing young Congolese with viable alternatives to conflict-related activities. [15], Virunga National Park's flora encompasses 2,077 plant species, including 264 tree species and 230 plants that are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Eastern Congo is one of the most economically disadvantaged places on earth, and competition for the Parks rich natural resources has always been fierce. [4] The Park is founded as Parc Albert, the first national park to be established on the African continent. Harnessed bushbuck (T. scriptus) and giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) are present in the southern sector. Shoebills prefer to hunt in poorly oxygenated and shallow waters where fish are closer to the surface, using their razor sharp beaks to catch their prey. A land of unparalleled biodiversity and exceptional beauty, bursting with life of every form. To mark Congolese independence from colonialism, Parc Albert is renamed Virunga National Park. [32] Surrounded by the mountains and home to Lake Edward, this large expanse of grassland and wooded savanna plays host to the Parks highest concentrations of elephants, buffalos and warthogs. Click here to learn more about the work of the Virunga Alliance. 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. The Virungas form a barrier between the Nile Basin to the north and east and the Congo Basin to the west and south. After stringent health protocols (to avoid passing human pathogens to the immunologically nave gorillas) and a trek through thick vegetation, small groups of visitors are afforded the life-changing opportunity to spend an hour in the company of these gentle giants. In 1861 the British explorer John Hanning Speke saw the Virunga Mountains from a distance; in 1876 the British explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley obtained a clear though distant view of the three eastern volcanoes; and Count Adolf von Gtzen, a German, explored the two western volcanoes in 1894. 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. [61][62] Ndakasi, a gorilla from the park, was featured in a few television series and movies, including the Netflix documentary.[63]. Most visitors opt to rotate through the different options. editors@africageographic.com This helps to increase understanding of mountain gorilla behaviour, as well as allowing veterinary teams to intervene if gorillas are injured or showing signs of ill health. Mean monthly rainfall in the savanna around Lake Edward is 3040mm (1.21.6in); this is the driest part of the landscape. The national park's central sector encompasses about two thirds of Lake Edward up to the international border with Uganda in the east. 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. The latter organisation is responsible for park management since 2010; about 80% of management costs are subsidised by the EC. Because of the high silica content of its lava, Nyiragongos lava flows are extremely fluid. Virunga National Park, formerly Albert National Park, park in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa). Adult African fish eagles have mostly brown bodies with a white head and yellow face and large, powerful, black wings. Campaigners trying to create public awareness are threatened and intimidated on social media. The Virunga chained mountains, also known as the Virunga Massif, offer unique experiences to tourists in Africa. Updates? It is headed by Andr Bauma, a man who has become almost as famous as his gorilla charges. Geography of Rwanda. The lava field of these two volcanoes has remained active, with notable eruptions occurring in 1912, 1938, 1948, the 1970s, and 2002. In the wake of serious security issues, including the murder of park rangers and the kidnapping of tourists, park management announced in June 2018 that the park would be closed to tourists until at least the end of the year. This may also be done to protect the highly susceptible apes from human diseases like Covid-19. Park officials are in the process of habituating the chimpanzees, and accompanying the habituation teams is another of the activities on offer in the park. 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