The southern sector borders Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Photo Galleries, Photographer of the Year, TRAVEL & CONSERVATION COMPANY The world population of mountain gorillas is currently estimated to be at around 1000 individuals. Here dedicated keepers have raised the young survivors of anthropogenic cruelty (poaching and snaring), as well as rehabilitating eastern lowland gorillas. Throw in nocturnal displays of volcanic ambivalence, and the Virunga experience is far beyond the average escape from the humdrum of city life it is an exhilarating embrace of everything that makes Africa truly wild. Its northern sector encompasses part of the Semliki River basin, as well as savanna and montane forest of the Albertine Rift. Lake Rutenzige is fed by several large rivers, the Rutshuru River being one, and drains to the north through the Semliki River into Lake Albert. The increased human population contributed to deforestation and poaching, and some natural animal migration patterns have been seriously disrupted. 2003). [36] Since beginning of the armed conflict, armed groups killed 175 park rangers until April 2018. Some biologists even believe that a fifth subspecies, called the mountain or Virunga buffalo, should be recognised. The connection between man and gorilla can be further explored at the Senkwekwe Centre, the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. Because of the high silica content of its lava, Nyiragongos lava flows are extremely fluid. To mark Congolese independence from colonialism, Parc Albert is renamed Virunga National Park. However, extraordinary doesnt even begin to cover it. The female, with a wingspan of up to 8 feet (2.4 meters), is larger than the male. The largest herd of elephants over 500 - since the 1980's are observed in the Ishasha corridor of Virunga. [2], In 2011, the British company Soco International was granted a concession for extracting crude oil in the surroundings of and in large parts of the national park. Modern access to the western volcanoes is from Goma and Gisenyi (Rwanda); the remaining mountains are located within the circuit of roads connecting Goma and Rutshuru (Congo), Kisoro (Uganda), and Ruhengeri and Gisenyi (Rwanda). (UK) +44 (23) 9387-7464 The orphanage is named for a silverback killed in a devastating poaching incident in 2007 that claimed the lives of seven members of the Rugendo family. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Tourism facilities were developed and improved, and a trickle of intrepid visitors gradually turned into a steady stream of people looking to experience one of Africas most incredible destinations. Eastern Congo is one of the most economically disadvantaged places on earth, and competition for the Parks rich natural resources has always been fierce. Nyamuragira is a high-potassium basaltic shield volcano with an elevation of 10,033 feet (3,058 meters). Recent eruptions occurred in 2006, 2010 and May 2021. In 2008, the Congolese National Parks Authority, (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, ICCN), and the Virunga Foundation (then known as the Africa Conservation Foundation), entered into a partnership to manage the Park. Non-endemic birds recorded include Wahlberg's eagle, African goshawk, African hobby, harrier hawk, common buzzard, mountain buzzard, hadeda ibis, grey-crowned crane, black-and-white-casqued hornbill, black-billed turaco, African olive pigeon, tambourine dove, blue-spotted wood dove, red-eyed dove, brown-necked parrot, red-chested cuckoo, olive long-tailed cuckoo, barred long-tailed cuckoo, Klaas's cuckoo, Diederik cuckoo, blue-headed coucal, Narina trogon, white-headed wood hoopoe, white-necked raven, white-tailed crested flycatcher, African paradise flycatcher, white-eyed slaty flycatcher, African dusky flycatcher, white-tailed blue flycatcher, mountain oriole, speckled mousebird, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, grey-throated barbet, yellow-billed barbet, western tinkerbird, yellow-rumped tinkerbird, cardinal woodpecker, olive woodpecker, black saw-wing, Angola swallow, Alpine swift, mountain greenbul, yellow-whiskered greenbul, common bulbul, white-starred robin, Archer's ground robin, white-browed robin-chat, African stonechat, rufous thrush, African thrush, olive thrush, grassland pipit, cinnamon bracken warbler, black-faced rufous warbler, mountain yellow warbler, brown woodland warbler, green sandpiper, Chubb's cisticola, banded prinia, chestnut-throated apalis, grey-backed camaroptera, white-browed crombec, black-throated wattle-eye, chinspot batis, mountain illadopsis, grey-chested illadopsis, olive sunbird, bronze sunbird, malachite sunbird, collared sunbird, variable sunbird, yellow white-eye, Mackinnon's shrike, Doherty's bushshrike, Lhder's bushshrike, northern puffback, mountain sooty boubou, tropical boubou, narrow-tailed starling, Sharpe's starling, baglafecht weaver, black bishop, grey-headed nigrita, common waxbill, black-headed waxbill, bronze mannikin, black and white mannikin, pin-tailed whydah, African citril, streaky seedeater and thick-billed seedeater.[57]. The number of bird species in Virunga exceeds the total number in the U.S. and is more than three times the number in the U.K. Virungas recorded number of reptile species makes it the richest of the protected areas in Africa. Virunga has the highest number of amphibian species in the Albertine Rift, an area which encompasses parts of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. We rely on Global Rescue to assist our clients. Lions are carnivores that consume a wide variety of prey, from wildebeest, impala, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and wild hogs to the occasional rhino, hippo, or elephant when food is scarce. However, wet seasons are a good option for those with a pair of solid, waterproof boots looking to take advantage of the low-season discounts. Virungas southern sector is best known for its montane tropical forests, active volcanoes, and the mountain gorillas that live on the flanks of the dormant Mikeno volcano. This picturesque part of the park adjoins the Rwenzori Mountains and Semuliki National Parks in neighbouring Uganda. The Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey to observe gorillas in their native habitat, is located between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. Ethnic groups living in and around Virunga National Park include: The documentary Virunga documents the work of Virunga National Park rangers and the activities of British oil company Soco International within the park. Hippos, which can weigh up to 4,400 pounds (almost 2,000 kilograms), make their home in many different rivers, lakes, and pools throughout Virunga. The Parks governance structure is strengthened, and newly appointed staff negotiate access to the gorilla sector despite it being controlled by rebels. [15], Virunga National Park's faunal species include 196 mammals, 706 bird species, 109 reptiles and 65 amphibians as of 2012. Geography of Rwanda - Wikipedia Baumas love for his primate family endeared him to the audiences of the Oscar-nominated film, Mountain gorillas aside, Virungas great ape collection also includes, While the apes may be the stars, the supporting cast of around 19 smaller primate species is deserving of a special mention. [56], Of the Albertine Rift's endemic birds, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis, Archer's ground robin, red-throated alethe, Kivu ground thrush, collared apalis, mountain masked apalis, dusky crimson-wing, Shelley's crimsonwing, red-faced woodland warbler, stripe-breasted tit, blue-headed sunbird, regal sunbird, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, handsome spurfowl and strange weaver were recorded in Virunga National Park's southern sector during surveys in 2004. Omissions? The southern sector of Congos Virunga National Park includes those portions of the mountains that are within Congo; the southern flanks of the central and eastern mountains comprise Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda; and Gorilla National Park includes the Ugandan slopes of Mgahinga. Both state security services and such groups also resort to armed robberies and kidnapping for income. [45][54], Virunga National Park together with the adjacent Queen Elizabeth National Park forms a "Lion Conservation Unit". Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). As is inevitable, this tableau of human suffering has spilt over into the conservation of the countrys natural resources, and Virunga has found itself in the middle of countless conflicts. It is headed by Andr Bauma, a man who has become almost as famous as his gorilla charges. The latter organisation is responsible for park management since 2010; about 80% of management costs are subsidised by the EC. The Virunga Mountains (also known as Mufumbiro[1]) are a chain of volcanoes in East Africa, along the northern border of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Uganda. 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). [39], In April 2020 at least 12 park rangers were killed by militia men attacking a civilian convoy. The Virunga Mountains are home of the critically endangered mountain gorilla, listed on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species due to habitat loss, poaching, disease, and war (Butynski et al. Here is a summary of the most important information about the hike that can become one of the most amazing experiences of your life. Mean monthly rainfall in the savanna around Lake Edward is 3040mm (1.21.6in); this is the driest part of the landscape. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. African alpine bamboo (Yushania alpina) grows at altitudes of 2,3002,600m (7,5008,500ft). The central sector is based around Lake Edward, the Ishasha river valley and the Rwindi plains. Much of the parks central region is occupied by Lake Edward. Safaris, discussions & donations that make a real difference in Africa. Virunga Mountains: The stunning Virunga Mountains are a chain of Volcano Mountains shared between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. [51][52][53] Other ungulates present include Ugandan kob (Kobus kob thomasi), waterbuck (K. ellipsiprymnus), andcommon warthog (Phacochoerus africanus). The protected area is a portion of the Virunga massif a chain of 8 volcanic mountains that straddle the borders between Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. [7], After the Second Congo War was over, confrontations between park personnel and rebel groups continued; 80 park staff were killed between 1996 and 2003. Here dedicated keepers have raised the young survivors of anthropogenic cruelty (poaching and snaring), as well as rehabilitating eastern lowland gorillas. The crater of Muhavura contains a small lake. It is Virunga National Park in DRC, and it is remarkable. The Virunga Mountains : 8 Related Volcanoes. The word Virunga is got from a local word "Ibirunga* the Kinyarwanda word for "mountains". Today, they are probably the parks most famous residents. (800,000 hectares) an area roughly three times the size of Luxembourg. Like humans, chimps communicate with facial expressions, gestures, and sounds. Virunga National Park (covering an area of 790,000 ha) comprises an outstanding diversity of habitats, ranging from swamps and steppes to the snowfields of Rwenzori at an altitude of over 5,000 m, and from lava plains to the savannahs on the slopes of volcanoes. Want to go on a safari to Virunga? Situated in a region which has been deeply impacted by the effects of war and armed conflict for over 20 years, Virunga is currently protected by a dedicated team of 689 Rangers. Virunga National Park - Wikipedia [16][18] Between the late 1930s and 1955, an estimated 85,000 Rwandophone people were moved to nearby Masisi in North Kivu. 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. 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. Five rangers and a driver were killed in April 2018. The 2002 Nyiragongo eruption destroyed much of the nearby city of Goma, Congo, leaving thousands homeless. To the northeast the Ruwenzori Range soars to more than 16,000 feet (4,880 metres). Explore one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the world. Virunga is the continent's most biologically diverse protected area and a national park embarking on an ambitious development programme known as the "Virunga Alliance". Ten years later in 1979, Virunga was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fortunately, stalwart sightseers can rest assured that the volcanos moods are carefully monitored lest it decides to let loose its fury of molten lava. The Rwandan genocide causes nearly two million refugees to flee the country. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Parc National Des Volcans Guide Some of the Ruwenzori Mountains are permanently snow-capped, and glaciers exist at high elevations. Government officials supported exploration activities by Soco International mission members, whereas park management opposed. The Virunga Mountains | Congo Safari Tours | Explore Congo Virunga National Park | Overview, Location, History, & Facts The mountains are part of the Albertine rift located at the Great Rift Valley one of the world's largest natural features. Virunga Mountains - Virunga Volcanoes, Virunga Mountain Ranges Key Information. 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. In 1969, following the countrys independence from Belgium in 1960, the Park was renamed Virunga National Park. The most recent eruption occurred in 2021 and had catastrophic consequences for the human residents of the city of Goma. Oil exploration by an English company only added to threats facing the already beleaguered park. Virunga Mountains: A gem of biodiversity in the heart of Africa African fish eagles are birds of prey that live in the waterways of sub-Saharan Africa. Learn more about the history of Virunga National Park by exploring the timeline below. The crowned crane stands at over 3 feet (1 meter) tall, with predominantly grey plumage, white and black wings, a bright red gular pouch, and a crown of golden feathers. The volcanos forested lower slopes are home to a variety of animals, including chimpanzees, monkeys, and bushbuck. Virunga National Park - Africa Geographic The oldest mountain is Mount Sabyinyo, which rises 3,634 metres (11,923ft) above sea level. The Parks visitor accommodation at Mikeno Lodge welcomes new guests seeking to visit Virunga. Rwanda is located in East Africa, to the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at the co-ordinates 200S 300E . Where Are The Virunga Mountains Located - 2022 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. Virunga owes its existence, at least in part, to the presence of the endangered (once critically endangered) mountain gorillas. The park is home to abundant wildlife, including elephants, whose numbers began decreasing in the late 20th century, and lions, which also face various threats. Conservation protects the mountains alpine vegetation, as well as wildlife that includes the golden monkey and the mountain gorilla. Oil exploration threatens the Park, sparking deep concerns from the international community.
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