Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. At 26,338 square kilometres (10,169 sq mi), Rwanda is the world's 149th-largest country. Photo Galleries, Photographer of the Year, TRAVEL & CONSERVATION COMPANY [35], Increasing militarisation of nature conservation has been accused of fuelling armed mobilisation of militias. The central sector is based around Lake Edward, the Ishasha river valley and the Rwindi plains. Okapis are endangered, and there are probably only a few thousand remaining. Adult African fish eagles have mostly brown bodies with a white head and yellow face and large, powerful, black wings. Mount Karisimbi is the highest volcano at 4,507 metres (14,787ft). 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. In April, in an effort to end the war, a peace agreement is signed by government and rebel forces. 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 UK oil company Soco announces that it will not renew its claim to an oil concession in Virunga National Park. (US) +1 (786) 655-4040, *Call costs: Local rates apply from South Africa, UK and US otherwise international rates apply, newsletter@africageographic.com Andre Bauma is the manager of the Senkwekwe Center and heads up the team of dedicated carers responsible for looking after the Center's orphaned mountain gorillas. The okapi is the closest known relative to the giraffe and looks very much as though someone crossed a zebra, antelope, and giraffe. Getting to the summit of these mountains takes an average of 5 . For decades, the people of the DRC have struggled through war and instability that has killed millions of people. It is headed by Andr Bauma, a man who has become almost as famous as his gorilla charges. Great blues are shy and rarely descend to the ground except for drinking and bathing. The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. This savannah-like section offers the best chance to spot the more traditional safari animals, including elephant, lion, and buffalo. Dch trong bi cnh "VN QUC GIA CONGO" trong ting vit-ting anh. Virunga Mountains: The stunning Virunga Mountains are a chain of Volcano Mountains shared between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. [55] The area is considered a potential lion (Panthera leo) stronghold, if poaching is curbed and prey species recover. The Virungas form a barrier between the Nile Basin to the north and east and the Congo Basin to the west and south. (For more on the conservation and social developments by the Virunga Alliance. [46] Poachers murder four mountain gorillas, making this the first time in 10 years that a mountain gorilla had been poached within Park borders. At a height of 16,761 feet (5,109 meters), the Rwenzori mountains feature the largest glaciers left on the African continent making this area, populated by glaciers-fed rivers, waterfalls and lakes, one of Africas most beautiful alpine landscapes. The Virunga Mountains, located in the northwest part of Rwanda, contain the country's highest peak, Karisimbi, which reaches nearly 15,000 feet. It is Virunga National Park in DRC, and it is remarkable. The volcanos forested lower slopes are home to a variety of animals, including chimpanzees, monkeys, and bushbuck. Networking & debating APP subscribers only, TRUSTED CONSERVATION PROJECTS The Park is founded as Parc Albert, the first national park to be established on the African continent. 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. [34], Five rangers were killed in August 2017 near Lake Edward in a militia attack. [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. 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). [2] Latter controlled the Mikeno sector of Virunga National Park between December 2006 and January 2009. It reopened in February 2019. national park, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The connection between man and gorilla can be further explored at the Senkwekwe Centre, the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. Following international protests, the company stopped exploring activities and consented to refrain from starting similar operations in the vicinity of World Heritage sites. It was the first national park to be established on the continent of Africa, primarily to protect the mountain gorillas living in the forests of the Virunga Massif. [18] In 1969, the two parks were merged under the name Virunga National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Nyamuragira volcano, situated around 15 miles (25 kilometers) north of Lake Kivu, has been described as one of Africas most active volcanoes. 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. 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. Key Information. 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 southern sector stretches to the shores of Lake Kivu and encompasses Nyamulagira, Nyiragongo and Mikeno volcanoes with montane forests on their slopes. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The local community has developed negative feeling towards park personnel and the military. [40] Again in January 2021, armed men killed at least six rangers and wounded several others in an ambush in the national park. (800,000 hectares) an area roughly three times the size of Luxembourg. The region's glaciers, waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa's most beautiful alpine areas. Later in the Pleistocene (about 900,000 to 130,000 years ago), Karisimbi, Visoke, Mgahinga, and Muhavura appeared, all but Karisimbi possessing a crater summit. Shoebills can be found in the swamps and marshes of Virungas Central Sector near Lake Edward, the Ishasha River, and the Rwindi River. In this near-forgotten corner of Africa, adventurers, soul-seekers, and naturalists will find an electrifying celebration of life at its most raw a kaleidoscope of natures wonders and a living history of human and wild resilience. Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano that features the worlds largest lava lake at 700 feet (213 meters) across and reaches 11,380 feet (3,470 meters) in height. The, However, this is no idle volcano. Carefully selected conservation projects one-stop, seamless, transparent donations APP subscribers only. [49] All of the topi (Damaliscus lunatus jimela) cluster to the south of Lake Edward in the Ishasha Flats region, and regularly cross the border into Uganda. 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. These ranges consist of eight major volcanoes in Uganda, Congo with five of them located in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. [14][15][16][17] Indigenous people lost their traditional land rights in this process, and were evicted from the protected area. Both savanna elephants and forest elephants reside in Virunga National Park, making it one of the few places in the world where both species co-exist. Oil exploration by an English company only added to threats facing the already beleaguered park. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The increased human population contributed to deforestation and poaching, and some natural animal migration patterns have been seriously disrupted. Here dedicated keepers have raised the young survivors of anthropogenic cruelty (poaching and snaring), as well as rehabilitating eastern lowland gorillas. It is founded primarily to protect the mountain gorillas living in the forests of the Virunga Massif. The central sector is centred around the banks of Lake Edward. This powerful image of the silverback Senkwekwe brought global attention to this horrific event. Much of the parks central region is occupied by Lake Edward. On any given day, its shores abound with hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and chimpanzees. Here is a summary of the most important information about the hike that can become one of the most amazing experiences of your life. The northern sector receives a monthly mean precipitation of up to 220mm (8.7in), and the southern sector of up to 160mm (6.3in). Each offers a different view of the lush vegetation and exquisite vistas. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Virunga is a biodiversity spectacle but is also a testament to the courage of those that have fought and often given their lives in its defence. It is an extraordinary park steeped in a history of tragedy and heroism: primordial and viscerally wild. 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. The Virunga mountains are the most hike in DR Congo and they include Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira which are active volcanoes, and lastly Mount Mikeno which is a dormant volcano. La Fondation Virunga Belgique was incorporated in 2015 to support Virunga National Park through fundraising and public outreach. 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. Fortunately, stalwart sightseers can rest assured that the volcanos moods are carefully monitored lest it decides to let loose its fury of molten lava. They have significantly shaped the national park's diverse habitats and wildlife. Virunga National Park is located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, within the Albertine Rift Valley. Alongside this essential conservation work, the Park is committed to supporting local communities. 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. 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. The word Virunga is got from a local word "Ibirunga* the Kinyarwanda word for "mountains". [47] editors@africageographic.com Visitors who brave the climb to the summit of Mt. [34], Efforts at nature conservation have had contradictory effects, for example when farms were destroyed within Kibirizi, and soldiers and park guards were sent in to patrol, people migrated even further within the park to land controlled by the FDLR, where they could rent small plots of land. Senecio and Lobelia species grow on vast clearings and attain heights of up to 8m (26ft). They are situated in the same region at the borders of the three countries. The presence of these volcanoes has shaped the landscape of the park over the years . Learn more about the history of Virunga National Park by exploring the timeline below. January 17, Nyiragongo volcano erupts spreading lava through the city of Goma. 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. The Virunga Mountain in Rwanda, Congo and Uganda The Virunga volcanoes /mountains also locally known as Mufumbiro are located in three countries Uganda, Rwanda and DRCongo. One of Africas most spectacular protected areas. The name "Virunga" is an English version of the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means "volcanoes". While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. This may also be done to protect the highly susceptible apes from human diseases like Covid-19. 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). (RSA) +27 (87) 551-8105 Rwanda is located in East Africa, to the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at the co-ordinates 200S 300E . Mount Mikeno is an extinct volcano located in the Virunga Mountains. The crater of Muhavura contains a small lake. The parks southern tip rests on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, a short distance from the town of Goma to the east. You can make a differenceby joining our community of dedicated individuals who aim to protect Africas oldest national park and bring peace and prosperity for the four million people who depend on it. Today, they are probably the parks most famous residents. Virunga National Park is a national park in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.It was created in 1925. It is also a vital elephant habitat, as evidenced by the unexpected migration of nearly 600 elephants from neighbouring Queen Elizabeth at the end of 2020. Virunga National Park is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and receives an average of 6,500 visitors per year. The Centre is the only one of its kind in the world. The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift Mountains, which border the western branch of the East African Rift. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. These, in turn, keep the lions of the park suitably satiated. 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. Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are a subspecies of the critically endangered eastern gorilla, and there are believed to be just over 1,000 remaining. Chattering troops of flamboyant eastern black-and-white colobus monkeys frequent the lodges while the booming calls of De Brazzas monkeys echo through the valleys. The word Virunga is and English word derived from Kinyarwanda word "Ibirunga" to meat "Mountains" Virunga is the only site on earth to have three types of great apes the mountain gorilla, eastern lowland gorilla, and eastern chimpanzee. Approximately one-third of the worlds population is found in Virunga National Park (the remainder is divided between Volcanoes, Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable national parks in neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda). Though valiant efforts were made to protect the park, the end of the 20th century saw much of the parks wildlife massacred almost to the point of extinction. The world population of mountain gorillas is currently estimated to be at around 1000 individuals. Virunga is an English derived word from its origin word "ibirunga" (comes . The Foundation holds the management contract for the Park, which requires it to restore and manage the national park with ICCN. Both savanna and forest buffalo are found in the park and can be found roaming the Rwindi plains in the Parks Central Sector. Naturally, the park authorities are aware of this, and they take the safety of their guests extremely seriously. 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. Farther north are the Rutshuru Falls and the Mai ya Moto sulfur springs. A land of unparalleled biodiversity and exceptional beauty, bursting with life of every form. [5], In 1979, the National Park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its rich diversity of habitats, exceptional biodiversity and endemism, and its protection of rare mountain gorilla habitat. Remains of dicots such as African caper (Capparis tomentosa), Maerua species, wild cucurbits, and nightshades were found in dung balls of African elephants (Loxodonta) that play a significant role for seed dispersal in the grasslands. Virunga National Park is a national park in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The rapid population surge causes environmental damage, and Virungas Rangers struggle to protect the forests. A narrow corridor of 35km (1.93.1mi) width along the lake's western bank connects the northern and southern sectors of the national park. The connection between man and gorilla can be further explored at the Senkwekwe Centre, the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. Tourism remains a cornerstone of the parks conservation efforts, and to that end, all of the lodges within the park are non-profit, with all proceeds fed back into keeping the park protected. The Virunga Foundation is a UK-based charity founded in 2005, created to support the protection of the flora and fauna of the Park, and to generate benefits for the local communities that live around the national park. Nyiragongos summit rim is largely devoid of vegetation and is sometimes dusted with snow. The Rwenzori Mountains National Park covers nearly 100,000 ha in western Uganda and comprises the main part of the Rwenzori mountain chain, which includes Africa's third highest peak (Mount Margherita: 5,109 m). A conflict between rebel and army forces results in the untimely death of the silverback of the Rugendo family. Though there are innumerable reasons to want to visit Virunga National Park, the potential insecurity in the region is of concern to many prospective visitors. The ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature). Today, they are probably the parks most famous residents. Up to 40,000 people entered the park daily in search of firewood and food, and deforested huge areas. Nyamuragira is a high-potassium basaltic shield volcano with an elevation of 10,033 feet (3,058 meters). The mountain gorillas have increased from fewer than 70 to over 300 in ten years and hippos from 300 to over 2,000, while elephant and lion sightings are now a fairly regular occurrence. The range lies between the Lake Kivu and Lake Edward, and is an extension of the Albertine Rift Mountains. The 2008 partnership between the Congolese National Parks Authority (ICCN) and the Virunga Foundation marked a turning point in the parks history. 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. Their ambitious peace-building program aims to create 100,000 jobs, providing young Congolese with viable alternatives to conflict-related activities. 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. Lake Edward is a vital resource for local fishermen. In the national park's northern sector, African leopard (P. pardus pardus), marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus), giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea), tree pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata), Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel (Anomalurus derbianus), Boehm's bush squirrel (Paraxerus boehmi), western tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis), Emin's pouched rat (Cricetomys emini) and checkered elephant shrew (Rhynchocyon cirnei) were recorded during surveys in 2008. The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift Mountains, which border the western branch of the East African Rift. The female, with a wingspan of up to 8 feet (2.4 meters), is larger than the male. Poaching intensifies and continues to impact the Park for several years. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the course of increasing tensions, the park's chief warden, Emmanuel de Mrode, was assailed in April 2014. 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. Park protection efforts were militarised in the following years to deter armed rebel groups and poachers from operating inside the park. They studied and collected zoological specimens of wildlife for the Muse Royal d'Histoire Naturelle de Belgique;[20][21] explored the ethnic groups in this area;[22] studied volcanic activity,[23] and fossils. In addition to buffalo, the plains support several ungulates, including topi, Ugandan kob, waterbuck, warthog, and red river and giant forest hog. The park is periodically closed when they feel that the situation on the ground is such that security cannot be guaranteed. Explore one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the world. 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. The Viringa Mountains are composed of up to 8 Volcanic summits including two active volcanoes of Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira located in DRC in Virunga National Park. According to a 2010 report by the United Nations Security Council, 80% of the charcoal consumed by the city of Goma is sourced from the park, representing an annual value of US$2830 million. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. More than 3,000 faunal and floral species have been recorded, of which more than 300 are endemic to the Albertine Rift including eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and golden monkey (Cercopithecus kandti). It conserves a diversity of habitats that surpasses any other park on the continent and is tucked along the eastern boundary of the Democratic Republic of Congo, protecting the eastward extremity of the Congo Basin. It erupts on average every two years. 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. The lava field of these two volcanoes has remained active, with notable eruptions occurring in 1912, 1938, 1948, the 1970s, and 2002. Many lesser cones flank the major volcanoes. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}012545S 293254E / 1.42917S 29.54833E / -1.42917; 29.54833. 689 men and women standing fearlessly to protect Virunga, Critical training and support for widows and children of fallen Virunga Rangers, The world's only facility caring for mountain gorilla orphans. This picturesque part of the park adjoins the Rwenzori Mountains and Semuliki National Parks in neighbouring Uganda. Virunga is the continents most biologically diverse protected area and a national park embarking on an ambitious development programme known as the Virunga Alliance. March to mid May and September to November are the main rainy seasons. [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. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Disorder spreads across the Park's Southern Sector. 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. At 14,557 feet (4,437 meters) Mount Mikeno is the second highest peak in the Virunga mountains and the 13th highest mountain of Africa. Most visitors opt to rotate through the different options. (UK) +44 (23) 9387-7464 Despite the global call for protected areas to cover 30% of the earth by 2030, there are still many parks and reserves where the future hangs very much in the balance. Virunga Mountains, Virunga also spelled Birunga, also called Mufumbiro Mountains, volcanic range north of Lake Kivu in east-central Africa, extending about 50 miles (80 km) along the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Both state security services and such groups also resort to armed robberies and kidnapping for income. Recent eruptions occurred in 2006, 2010 and May 2021. As anyone who has ever spent time with gorillas will tell you, it is an experience that defies words and borders on sacred. This sight is at its most impressive at night, so most opt to camp on the rim of the crater. In altitude, this sector ranges from 680m (2,230ft) in the Puemba River valley to the highest peak of Mount Stanley at 5,109m (16,762ft) within 30km (19mi). Created in 1925, it has an area of some 3,050 square miles (7,900 square km) and contains a vast diversity of habitats. Some of the Ruwenzori Mountains are permanently snow-capped, and glaciers exist at high elevations. [27][28][29][30], By 2016, four hydropower dams were constructed that provide electricity to small businesses and benefit more than 200,000 rural people. Habituation is a critical component of gorilla conservation, as it allows for detailed research to be undertaken on the species. 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. Eastern Congo is one of the most economically disadvantaged places on earth, and competition for the Parks rich natural resources has always been fierce. The largest herd of elephants over 500 - since the 1980's are observed in the Ishasha corridor of Virunga. And last, but not least, the heart-stopping, utterly gorgeous and mysterious Shelleys Crimsonwing, which has never been photographed other than when netted during biodiversity surveys. He even attended the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles. Mountain gorillas (, ) are a subspecies of the critically endangered eastern gorilla, and there are believed to be just over 1,000 remaining. [5] They are solitary creatures who remain isolated except when threatened or breeding. HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC: We're the Africa Geographic editorial team a diverse set of writers, editors, designers and social media natives, all united by our passion for this addictive continent. Y rt nhiu cu v d dch cha "VN QUC GIA CONGO" - ting vit-ting anh bn dch v ng c cho bn dch ting vit tm kim. Its northern sector encompasses part of the Semliki River basin, as well as savanna and montane forest of the Albertine Rift. However, another creature is arguably Virungas (and Africas) most peculiar offering. The Parks 3,000 square miles (7,800 square kilometers) is comprised of four sectors northern, central, southern and lake sector each with an unrivaled diversity of landscapes and ecosystems. The Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey to observe gorillas in their native habitat, is located between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. Hippo numbers increase to over 2000 for the first time in 20 years. Mount Nyiragongo in Virunga National Park is one . 400,000 people are evacuated and 147 are killed in the eruption.
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