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. In elevation, it ranges from 680 m (2,230 feet) in the Semliki River valley to 5,109 m (16,762 feet) in the Rwenzori Mountains. From north to south it extends approximately 300 km (190 mi), largely along the international borders with Uganda and Rwanda in the east. It covers an area of 8,090 km2 (3,120 square miles).
Two active volcanoes are located in the park, Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira. They have significantly shaped the national park’s diverse habitats and wildlife. 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).
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. It has been listed in the List of World Heritage in Danger since 1994 because of civil unrest and the increase of human presence in the region.
There have been several deadly attacks in the park by rebel groups, and several park rangers have been killed.
In the early 1920s, several proponents of the European conservation movement championed the idea of creating a protected area in northeastern Belgian Congo, among them Victor van Straelen, Jean Massart and Jean-Marie Derscheid. 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. In 1926, Derscheid headed the first Belgian mission to cartography Albert National Park, which encompassed an area of 500 km2 (190 square miles) around the extinct volcanoes Mount Karisimbi and Mount Mikeno. The protected area was extended in 1929 by Virunga National Park, which encompassed the Virunga Mountains, parts of the Rutshuru Territory, and the plains south of Lake Edward. Its initial size of 2,920.98 km2 (1,127.80 square mi) was enlarged step by step in subsequent years. Indigenous lost their traditional land rights in this process, and were evicted from the protected area. Between the late 1930s and 1955, an estimated 85,000 Rwandophone people were moved to nearby Masisi in North Kivu. In 1934, the Institute des Parcs Nationaux du Congo Belge was founded as the governing body for national parks in the Belgian Congo. Between the early 1930s and 1961, several expeditions to Albert National Park were carried out by Belgian scientists, the second headed by Gaston-François de Witte. They studied and collected zoological specimens of wildlife for the Musée Royal d’Histoire Naturelle de Belgique, explored the ethnic groups in this area, studied volcanic activity, and fossils.
In the late 1950s, Tutsi herders and their cattle entered the park, destroying natural habitat up to an altitude of 3,000 m (9,800 feet), which was thought to threaten the park’s gorillas.
Land laws were reformed in the 1960s after Belgian Congo became independent as the Republic of the Congo, and the land declared property of the state, much to the disadvantage of local people. Illegal hunting inside protected areas increased. In 1969, the two parks were merged under the name Virunga National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
In 1996, the national park was listed as a Ramsar site of international importance.
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. Government officials supported exploration activities by Soco International mission members, whereas park management opposed. In the course of increasing tensions, the park’s chief warden, Emmanuel de Mérode, was assailed in April 2014. Following international protests, the company stopped exploring activities and consented to refrain from starting similar operations in the vicinity of World Heritage sites
By 2016, four hydropower dams were constructed that provide electricity to small businesses and benefit more than 200,000 rural people.
Armed conflict.
Since the early 1990s, the protected area was impacted by political turmoil in the African Great Lakes region. Following the Rwandan genocide, thousands of refugees fled to the Kivu region, and the presence of military increased. The First and Second Congo Wars further destabilized the region. Anti-poaching patrols inside the park were obstructed, and park personnel and wildlife were killed.
About 850,000 refugees lived around the national park in 1994. Up to 40,000 people entered the park daily in search of firewood and food, and deforested huge areas.
In 1994, Virunga National Park was entered into the List of World Heritage in Danger.
After the Second Congo War was over, confrontations between park personnel and rebel groups continued; 80 park staff were killed between 1996 and 2003. Several armed rebel groups operate in the park, including Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and National Congress for the Defence of the People. Latter controlled the Mikeno sector of Virunga National Park between December 2006 and January 2009.
In 2005, the European Commission (EC) recommended a public-private partnership between the country’s government and the British non-governmental organisation African Conservation Fund. The latter organisation is responsible for park management since 2010; about 80% of management costs are subsidized by the EC. Park protection efforts were militarized in the following years to deter armed rebel groups and poachers from operating inside the park. Park personnel are given paramilitary training and high-quality weaponry, and operate together with the military and state security services.
These tactics, criticized as “militarization of conservation”, has been blamed for further violence and dispossession faced by local indigenous people. 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.
Increasing militarization of nature conservation has been accused of fueling armed mobilization of militias. The inhabitants inside the national park, whether native or refugees, rely on farming, hunting, fishing, logging and producing charcoal for their livelihoods, all prohibited activities. The local community has nowhere else to turn for security, and relies on the protection of armed groups, for which fees are levied off the prohibited activities. 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$28–30 million. Both state security services and such groups also resort to armed robberies and kidnapping for income.
Efforts at nature conservation has 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. The local community has developed negative feeling towards park personnel and the military. Clashes occurred in 2015 when a local Mai-Mai group in Binza (north Bwisha) attempted to take back control of region, with the objective of reinstalling fishing activities and allowing the population to return, killing a park guard and 11-15 soldiers.
Five rangers were killed in August 2017 near Lake Edward in a militia attack. Five rangers and a driver were killed in April 2018. Since beginning of the armed conflict, armed groups killed 175 park rangers until April 2018. In May 2018, a ranger was killed when defending two tourists who were kidnapped. They were subsequently released unharmed. As a consequence, the park remained closed to visitors from June 2018 until February 2019.
In April 2020 at least 12 park rangers were killed by militia men attacking a civilian convoy. Again in January 2021, armed men killed at least six rangers and wounded several others in an ambush in the national park
On 22 February 2021, Italy’s ambassador to the DRC who was travelling with the World Food Programme about 15km north of Goma, Luca Attanasio, as well as Italian military police officer Vittorio Iacovacci and Congolese driver Mustapha Milambo, were killed in the gunfire when a militia that had kidnapped their convoy, and had brought them into the park, was met by park rangers who managed to free four people.
FLORA.
Virunga National Park’s flora encompasses 2,077 plant species, including 264 tree species and 230 plants that are endemic to the Albertine Rift. The plains of Virunga National Park are dominated by wetlands and grasslands with papyrus sedge (Cyperus papyrus), jointed flatsedge (C. articulatus), common reed (Phragmites mauritanica), sacaton grasses (Sporobolus consimilis), ambatch (Aeschynomene elaphroxylon), conkerberry (Carissa spinarum), paperbark thorn (Vachellia sieberiana) and kowai fruit (Coccinia grandis).
Remains of dicots such as African caper (Capparis tormentors), 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.
The montane forest between 1,800 and 2,800 m (5,900 and 9,200 feet) in the southern sector is dominated by Ficalhoa laurifolia and Podocarpus milanjianus with up to 25 m (82 feet) high trees. African alpine bamboo (Yushania alpina) grows at altitudes of 2,300–2,600 m (7,500–8,500 feet). The vegetation above 2,600 m (8,500 feet) is subalpine with foremost African redwood (Hagenia abyssinica) growing up to 3,000 m (9,800 feet). Tree heath (Erica arborea), heather and mosses cover humid slopes up to 3,700 miles (12,100 feet) elevation. Senecio and Lobelia species grow on vast clearings and attain heights of up to 8 m (26 feet)
FAUNA.
Virunga National Park’s faunal species include 196 mammals, 706 bird species, 109 reptiles and 65 amphibians as of 2012.
Mammals.
Primates present in the national park include mountain gorilla (G. b. beringei), common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), golden monkey, red-tailed monkey (Cercopithecus Ascanius), Dent’s Mona monkey (C. denti), blue monkey (C. mitis), Hamlyn’s monkey (C. hamlyni), De Brazza’s monkey (C. neglectus), Central African red colobus (Procolobus foai), mantled guereza (Colobus guereza), olive baboon (Papio Anubis) and grey-cheeked Mangabey (Lophocebus albigena)
African bush elephant (Loxodonta Africana), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) inhabit the national park’s central sector. Okapi (Okapia johnstoni), blue duiker (Philantomba monticola), bay duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis), Weyns’s duiker (C. weynsi), yellow-backed duiker (C. silvicultor), water chevrotain (Hyemoschus aquaticus), red river hog (Potamochoerus porcus), aardvark (Orycteropus after) and bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) were recorded in the northern sector in 2008. Harnessed bushbuck (T. scriptus) and giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) are present in the southern sector. 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. Other ungulates present include Ugandan kob (Kobus kob thomasi), waterbuck (K. ellipsiprymnus), and common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus).
Virunga National Park together with the adjacent Queen Elizabeth National Park forms a ‘Lion Conservation Uni t’. The area is considered a potential lion (Panthera Leo) stronghold, if poaching is curbed and prey species recover. 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.
ACCOMMOADATION AT VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK
There are several accommodation options in and outside the park.
Inside the park, there is Mikeno Lodge which is the most luxurious lodge in Virunga National park and is situated in the forest. The lodge is 90-minute drive from Goma town and offers great ambiance with cool breath from the forest.
Bukima tented camp is another accommodation option which is located just outside the park boundary and is a few minute drive to the park headquarters and where mots gorilla trekking starts from. The lodge is built on platform tents but are standardized and luxurious. The stay at Bukima tented camp offers great night views of the Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira light colors lighting the sky at night.
For Nyiragongo Volcano hikers, they will have an overnight stay at the top in the Top Shelters. The top shelters offer twin beds in each where the tourists will place their sleeping bags for a night rest. This does not offer plush accommodation but gives an escape comfort from the bad weather. The stay at the top of the volcano offers a great view of the molten lava, which is the largest lava lake in the world.
Tchegera Island Tented camp which is located outside the park on the northern part of Lake Kivu offers a great relaxing atmosphere after Gorilla tracking and Nyiragongo hiking. The stay at the camp offers great view of the for volcanoes and well as a scenic view of Mt. Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira Volcano at night lighting up the sky.
There are several other hotels located in Goma town which is one-hour drive to the park headquarters from Goma town.
Mikeno Lodge.
The Mikeno Lodge is a 90-minute drive from Goma and offers large bungalows and a good restaurant. The lodge and restaurant are located within a forest and offer beautiful views of the rift valley and Nyiragongo and Mikeno volcanoes. Nature walks and visits to local places of interest can be arranged. There is an abundance of bird life, as well as resident blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and baboons. Chimpanzees are also frequent visitors to the area.
Bukima Tented Camp.
Just outside the Virunga National Park boundary lays the Bukima tented camp, which is one of the main starting points Virunga mountain gorilla treks. The camp was originally built for researchers, but is now used primarily by trekkers. As the name suggests, overnight guests at Bukima sleep in platform tents, but by camping standards they are quite plush. Each tent features an adjoining bathroom with running water and a nicely appointed bed and dresser for clothes. The views from the tent sites – or anywhere in camp for that matter – are spectacular. To the south, the view is dominated by Mt. Mikeno, whose 4437m (14,560’) summit towers over the gorilla sector. Across the valley is Nyiragongo volcano, whose lava lake colors the night sky with a red glow. Every few years, Nyamuragira volcano erupts and steals the nighttime show by spewing hot lava hundreds of feet into the air. Occasionally, the mountain gorillas themselves wander into the Bukima tented camp. Although this is highly frowned upon by park staff, it never ceases to impress the guests.
Prices for the camp are based on double occupancy and include breakfast. Lunch, dinner, and drinks are available for an additional charge. Of the six tents, four feature double beds and two are outfitted with twin beds.
Nyiragongo Volcano Summit Shelters.
Each of the twelve summit shelters contains two single beds on which visitors can put their sleeping bags. Although these shelters aren’t plush, they offer a welcome escape from the elements. The cost of staying in a summit shelter is included in the permit fee.
Tchegera Island Tented Camp.
Tchegera Island Camp is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of Goma or to relax after climbing Nyiragongo volcano. Situated off the northern shore of Lake Kivu, Tchegera camp offers spectacular views of the lake and four volcanoes. On clear nights, Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira volcanoes add to the drama by turning the night sky red with their glowing lava. There is also an abundance of birdlife on the island, including African eagles, cormorants, herons and gulls. Whether one chooses to relax on the beach or explore other parts of the island in a sea kayak or by paddle board, Tchegera is the perfect place for rest and relaxation.
Each of the twelve summit shelters contains two single beds on which visitors can put their sleeping bags. Although these shelters aren’t plush, they offer a welcome escape from the elements. The cost of staying in a summit shelter is included in the permit fee.
In conclusion, Virunga National Park has a variety of luxury, moderate and private accommodation facilities for visitors to take a choice for their stay while enjoying their gorilla and hiking safaris. Spending a night in one of them doesn’t come with only decent rooms but also spectacular views on natural wonders within Virunga national park.