Virunga National Park

Visited: Mar. 2020 Reviewed: Feb. 17, 2022 Submitted in:

Our visit to the Virunga was a real treat. We drove from Uganda to Goma entering through the Bunagana Border. The drive between Bunagana and Goma through the forest was in fear due to the insecurity speculations in the area, yet we were not that terrified after checking in at the park due to the presence of armed park rangers. The park did not have very many animals, but we managed to spot some elephants, kobs, waterbuck, buffaloes and luckily enough we saw a lion at a distance. For primates, colobus and golden monkeys and gorillas were the top of our experience. Seeing the Nyiragongo volcanoes was the highlight of my trip as my wish came to reality that day. The nights were very cold than what I could imagine. Our tent at Kibumba camp was very nice and clean with ensuite, which looked very new. It was very comfortable with running water and power, the service was of a good standard and the staff very welcoming, the food was nice all beyond what we had expected having read negative reports about the pack before our visit. Things have changed a lot recently in the Virunga park and is good place to go for those seeking a secluded experience.

Although you certainly need to keep an eye on the volatile security situation in the days leading to your visit, the Goma and Kibati area is a fantastic destination to visit and experience the Heart of Africa. Locals are friendly and the stunning bold and bright Congolese fabrics will make a lasting impression on you. However, the Parc National des Virunga will be the highlight of any visit. Beyond the obvious wildlife jewels like gorillas, the show is stolen by the Nyiragongo Volcano. Nyiragongo’s spectacular lava lake offers one of the world’s top night shows. There are only five persistent lava lakes in the world and Nyiragongo’s 700-metre diameter lake is the largest. It is indeed a very rare and unique sight. The lake’s lava solidifies into a thin back crust that continuously cracks and breaks in flat chunks reminiscent ice floes, which in turn tip over and melt as they sink into the liquid fire. The slowly rising smoke reflects the lava glow and changes hues continuously, adding drama to the whole thing. One can stare for hours the ever-changing spectacle without getting bored. I will always remember my night there. The Park is very well run despite endless wars, lack of resources and neglect from Kinshasa. The staff is motivated purely by their love of nature and country. Without their selfless labour most of the Park’s natural treasures will be long gone by now. They truly deserve praise!

A visit to Virunga National Park is certainly not for the faint of heart. Africa's oldest national park has been caught in the crossfire of a decades-long civil conflict in the eastern DRC. The park itself is home to refugees, military, military police, poachers, and park rangers along with the wildlife the park is meant protect. Violence is, unfortunately, a common occurrence. Driving through the occupied areas of the park over very bumpy roads gives a distinct feeling of unease. However, the park also houses incredible biodiversity as well as sights and experiences you can't have anywhere else on the continent! The team managing the park is extremely professional and doing their best under the circumstances. Trips are surprisingly easy to organize through the very up-to-date official Virunga website. Climbing Mount Nyiragongo to view the world's largest lava lake is a once in a lifetime experience and is a must for visitors to the park. It has recently reopened after being closed for a few years over security concerns. Spending time with mountain gorillas is also a huge draw card for the park, and you are likely to be trekking with few, if any, other tourists. We had the Rugendo family to ourselves when we visited. By contrast, in neighboring Uganda and Rwanda there is often a waiting list for permits to visit the gorillas. Accommodation for Nyiragongo and gorilla trekking is very rustic but fits nicely with the adventurous nature of the activities. A new luxury lodge has opened since our trip, and chimp trekking options are in the works. Virunga really has it all. Besides gorillas and volcanoes in the southern end, the central section features savanna and typical safari animals, while the north abuts the famed Rwenzori Mountains. Travel to these sections is not very feasible currently due to security concerns and lack of infrastructure. A visit to Virunga is a real adventure, with genuine thrills, threats, hardships and pleasures. It’s not glossy, sanitized, prepackaged tourism on a platter. It’s the real deal for travelers looking of an immersive experience.

At the back side of Queen Elizabeth National Park lies Virunga. This is where biodiversity is evident in all aspects. I had underestimated the park. After the civil, war word had it that human habitations within the park had down graded it so much. A friend of mine just wanted to prove me wrong. We accessed the park via Uganda where we had been working for couple of weeks. There is much to see in Virunga from the savanna dwellers-the likes of lions, elephants and kobs. This is in the central part of the park. Up the mountains, though, is the attraction of many. Mountain gorillas are a good sight but we were not allowed to get close and it was only for one hour (reason was that these primate transmit viruses to human race very fast). Sick people should also stay away from that part of the park am told. There was a spectacular view of hippos down the Ishasha River. The rangers in this park guard the animals tirelessly from poachers and I was so amused of their effort. In Virunga also lies the Nyiragongo Volcano. It is the largest of its kind in the world. Geography lovers can have a really nice expedition. Any one visiting Africa for a real great tour should consider Virunga. It does not disappoint!