Virunga National Park

Travel Guide Africa Democratic Republic of Congo Virunga National Park

Introduction

Gorillas in the mist

The Virunga National Park is what Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is to Uganda or the Volcanoes National Park to Rwanda: a large protected mountainous wilderness, mainly to preserve the last several hundreds or so of the Mountain Gorilla and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in the late seventies of the twentieth century. Chimpanzees, forest elephants, giraffe and even okapi can be found here, although there numbers have diminished in recent years because of the unstable political and economical situation. Still, travellers who can't get a permit in Rwanda or Uganda to visit the mountain gorillas, might be lucky to get one here as chances are better and it is cheaper, 'only' US$350 compared to US$500 in the other two countries. The main access point is from Rwanda to Goma but entries from Uganda might be possible as well, just check in advance regarding the visa and safety regulations during the time you will visit.