6 Top Things/activities To Do In Virunga National Park

Things/activities To Do In Virunga;  Virunga national park is the oldest protected National Park located in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo forming borders with Uganda and Rwanda. The national park covers a total area of 7,800 square kilometers and harbors different animal species including mammals like elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, warthogs, duiker, bush pigs, primates like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys and different bird species like mourning collared dove, black tailed godwit, brown throated wattle eye, blue headed sunbird, thick billed canary among others.

Most of these attractions, are the best reason why tourists come to Virunga National Park  to do the 6 best things to In Nairobi

6 Best Things/activities To Do In Virunga

Gorilla trekking: – Things/activities To Do In Virunga

Gorilla trekking is one of the major activities in Virunga national park which attracts a big number of tourists to visit the country. Gorilla trekking in Virunga National park starts in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters where after you will be allocated a gorilla family to trek and a park guide who is conversant with trails in the jungle. The park is a home to over nine habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking on a daily basis. Trekking of mountain gorillas in the park takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours and during trekking you will be able to view other wildlife species such as red tailed monkeys, baboons, view different bird species among others. Once the mountain gorillas are located you will be able to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you a chance to observe their habits, lifestyle, watch them feed, breastfeed, play, groom young ones, take photos and record the moments to show people back home.

Democratic republic of Congo, offers the cheapest gorilla trekking permits at an affordable cost of $400. Trekking is is recommended to only persons under the age of 15 years.

Chimpanzee Habituation/Trekking: Things/activities To Do In Virunga

Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga National Park,  starts very in the morning, and involves a number of tourists, moving through the  lush tropical forest to look for chimpanzees. Trekking chimpanzees may take between 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on how far the chimpanzees have moved from their previous location, since they are mobile.

Like Gorilla trekking, only 1 hour is allowed for tourists to stay in their presence, as they learn about their behaviors, watch them play, hunt, fight, feed, take photos and record videos. There are also high opportunities of one meeting numerous mammal species , primates and bird species.

Nyiragongo Trekking-Activities/Things to do in Virunga National Park

Mount Nyiragongo is an ultimate activity, that keeps your adrenaline increasing, and heart pumping. A hike to the world’s largest active lava lake of Mount Nyiragongo, (1 out of the 8 volcanic mountains in Virunga conservation area), stands at an elevation of 3,470 meters above the sea level.

Mount Nyiragongo hike, takes at most 2 days to summit its peak and back to the foot hills. Hiking Mount Nyiragongo, like Gorilla & chimpanzee trekking, begins with  briefing at 9:00am, followed by a 5 to 6 hours trek up the summit. Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro is a demanding hike, that requires a demanding level of fitness, trekking through lower altitude, lava rocks, steep slopes, slippery stones, rugged terrain and once you reach the summit you will enjoy breathtaking views of the beautiful scenery, scent the boiling and bubbling lava and overnight in one of the assigned cabin.

Following your morning breakfast, you will set off for a 3 hours descent down, the Volcano, while enjoying  the breathtaking scenery, impressive views of the park, Lake Kivu and the Volcanic mountains.

Senkenkwe gorilla orphanage center

Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage  is the only gorilla orphanage protecting  orphaned  and rescued gorillas. The one and only Sekenkwe gorilla sanctuary is owned  and managed by Virunga foundation, and is open to all tourists who are staying at the Mikeno lodge at a complementary cost.

The orphaned gorillas are believed to have lost their parents to poachers, rebels & pet traders. Then after, they were brought for treatment at the sanctuary,  as well as rehabilitation and they are taken care of by a team of caregivers and veterinary doctors.

Senkenkwe   gorilla orphanage/sanctuary lets visitors meet face to face with the orphaned gorillas, interact with them as they watch them play, feed, build nests. Visitors can also feed them, only by the help a care giver

Birding in Virunga national park

Virunga national park is one among Congo’s best birding havens, with  over 706 recorded bird species, some of which are endemic to the   Albertine rift, while others are Congolese birds and forest birds.

During birding, expect to sight numerous bird species like: knobbed coat, white thighed hornbill, brown throated wattle eye, blue headed sunbird, blue crested flycatcher, African paradise flycatcher, mountain wagtail, cinnamon breasted bunting, mourning collared dove, black winged stilt, white fronted plover, blue headed sunbird, grey headed sparrow, snowy crowned robin chat, willow warbler, red backed shrike, blue cheeked bee-eater, striped kingfisher, spot flanked barbet among others.

Nature Walks In Virunga National Park

Stepping out through the lush forest of Virunga National Park is an amazing and appeasing activity to behold. Most nature walks follows several trails along which travelers can encounter several primates and animals such as: gorillas, monkeys, baboons, elephants, Okapis, Buffaloes, Antelopes, Hippos, as well as bird species like; narrow tailed starling, Madagascar bee-eater.

Where to stay in Virunga national park

Virunga National Park, has various accommodations  facilities, which range from budget to Mid range and luxury. These include Bukima Tented camp, Hotel Begonias, Exodus Bukavu, Lodge Coco, Orchids Safari Club, Tchegera Island Camp,  Kibumba Tented Camp, Lulimbi Tented Camp, Mikeno Lodge, Lakeside Hotel Bukavu,  among others.