where are the virunga mountains located

Take a Thrilling Adventure in Uganda Hiking the Sabyinyo Volcano As might be expected in a park that encompasses such a large variety of habitats, the birding can be described as extraordinary. Today, they are probably the parks most famous residents. 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. Mount Karisimbi is the highest volcano at 4,507 metres (14,787ft). They consume mainly fish but have been known to consume carrion, birds, monkeys and even crocodile hatchlings when prey is scarce. The Virunga chained mountains, also known as the Virunga Massif, offer unique experiences to tourists in Africa. March to mid May and September to November are the main rainy seasons. These savannas and woodlands contain many different types of grasses and trees. For decades, the people of the DRC have struggled through war and instability that has killed millions of people. The most recent eruption occurred in 2021 and had catastrophic consequences for the human residents of the city of Goma. Though Virunga is accessible year-round (if open to visitors), the best time to visit is during the drier months, from June until September or December until February. 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. The park is periodically closed when they feel that the situation on the ground is such that security cannot be guaranteed. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. [5][21][49][50], African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) inhabit the national park's central sector. The vegetation above 2,600m (8,500ft) is subalpine with foremost African redwood (Hagenia abyssinica) growing up to 3,000m (9,800ft). The Mountain Gorillas of Virunga National Park. To the northeast the Ruwenzori Range soars to more than 16,000 feet (4,880 metres). [8] They were subsequently released unharmed. 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. [18] In 1969, the two parks were merged under the name Virunga National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. 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. Today, they are probably the parks most famous residents. Campaigners trying to create public awareness are threatened and intimidated on social media. Recent eruptions occurred in 2006, 2010 and May 2021. Networking & debating APP subscribers only, TRUSTED CONSERVATION PROJECTS The range runs east-west, perpendicular to the rift valley in which lie Lakes Kivu and Edward. 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. Here dedicated keepers have raised the young survivors of anthropogenic cruelty (poaching and snaring), as well as rehabilitating eastern lowland gorillas. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The Virunga Mountains are all volcanic mountains but most of them are dormant. 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. The ICCN and Virunga Foundation enter into a long term management agreement. The southern sector stretches to the shores of Lake Kivu and encompasses Nyamulagira, Nyiragongo and Mikeno volcanoes with montane forests on their slopes. Of its eight major volcanic peaks, the highest is Karisimbi, at 14,787 feet (4,507 metres). Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Parc National Des Volcans Guide [10][11] To improve the country's economic situation the government undermined that very protection by auctioning oil exploration blocks inside the park by the end of July 2022. 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 word Virunga is and English word derived from Kinyarwanda word "Ibirunga" to meat "Mountains" [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. Virunga Mountains in Congo - Virunga National Park Congo [2] Latter controlled the Mikeno sector of Virunga National Park between December 2006 and January 2009. The connection between man and gorilla can be further explored at the Senkwekwe Centre, the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. The park is periodically closed when they feel that the situation on the ground is such that security cannot be guaranteed. The Virunga Mountains and their associated lava flows extend across the Western Rift Valley. Tullow Oil Plc, TotalEnergies, ENI and China National Offshore Oil Corporation Ltd (CNOOC) were interested in acquiring drilling permissions. Between the early 1930s and 1961, several expeditions to Albert National Park were carried out by Belgian scientists, the second headed by Gaston-Franois de Witte. The UK oil company Soco announces that it will not renew its claim to an oil concession in Virunga National Park. As anyone who has ever spent time with gorillas will tell you, it is an experience that defies words and borders on sacred. 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 two active volcanoes in the range Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira are in Virunga National Park, and both reach heights of over 3,000 metres. Baumas love for his primate family endeared him to the audiences of the Oscar-nominated film, Virunga. It erupts on average every two years. ceo@africageographic.com, Travel & conservation company, since 1991,

, The oldest national park in Africa, Virunga National Park covers nearly 8,000km. Though the full history of the park (and the DRC) is beyond the scope of this celebration of Virunga, no coverage would be complete without mention of both the challenges and efforts involved in keeping it safe. Over 90% of refugees settle within walking distance of Park borders. In elevation, it ranges from 680m (2,230ft) in the Semliki River valley to 5,109m (16,762ft) in the Rwenzori Mountains. Virunga National Park is one of the five UNESCO protected areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the ICCN. 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. It includes a lush landscape that ranges from the Semliki River Valley to the Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Nyiragongo, and Nyamuragira. Important Facts About the Virunga Mountains in East Africa [26] Park personnel are given paramilitary training and high-quality weaponry, and operate together with the military and state security services. Mean monthly rainfall in the savanna around Lake Edward is 3040mm (1.21.6in); this is the driest part of the landscape. In Virungas southern sector around Bukima, there are currently ten habituated gorilla families and four solitary males which are also habituated, meaning that they are unafraid of human presence. Virunga Mountains is located in the East Africa with a chain of volcanoes that are within the borders of the countries Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. The Virunga Mountains | Congo Safari Tours | Explore Congo The name Virunga (Volcanoes), probably of Swahili derivation, has prevailed over the earlier Mufumbiro (That Which Cooks), which is still used in Uganda. (For more on the conservation and social developments by the Virunga Alliance. 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). [12] Local and global groups, such as Greenpeace, are warning about the social and ecological impact of devastating the forest for oil production. [41][42], 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 Moustapha 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. [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. The Virunga Mountains is located in the East Africa with a chain of volcanoes that are within the borders of the countries Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.The mountain range is said to be a part of the Albertine Rift located in the Great Rift Valley. [33], 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. Discounts at Africas best lodges and on our hand-made packages subscribers only, STORIES & DISCUSSIONS Safaris, discussions & donations that make a real difference in Africa. Others include Karisimbi - the highest at 4,507m, Bisoke and Sabyinyo in Rwanda, Gahinga and Muhabura in Uganda and Mikemo in DRC. [32] The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. Its initial size of 2,920.98km2 (1,127.80sqmi) was enlarged step by step in subsequent years. [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. Mount Mikeno is an extinct volcano located in the Virunga Mountains. Albertine Rift - Wikipedia Farther north are the Rutshuru Falls and the Mai ya Moto sulfur springs. Virunga mountains, Volcanoe ranges - African Birding Trips Tree heath (Erica arborea), heather and mosses cover humid slopes up to 3,700m (12,100ft) elevation. 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. However, this is no idle volcano. Flora/Vegatation in Virunga national park - Gorilla Safari Tours Mount Nyiragongo in Virunga National Park is one . [55] The area is considered a potential lion (Panthera leo) stronghold, if poaching is curbed and prey species recover. It is an extraordinary park steeped in a history of tragedy and heroism: primordial and viscerally wild. The 2008 partnership between the Congolese National Parks Authority (ICCN) and the Virunga Foundation marked a turning point in the parks history. Nyiragongo are rewarded with a view of the worlds largest lava lake as it churns and bubbles. Nyiragongo has erupted over thirty times since the end of the 19. century. 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. In the west, Nyamulagira, Nyiragongo, and Mikeno are in Congo; Karisimbiat 14,787 feet the highest of the Virunga volcanoesand Visoke are centrally placed on the Congo-Rwanda frontier; and farther east Sabinio (Sabinyo), Mgahinga (Gahinga), and Muhavura, also known as the Mufumbiro Mountains, are . This partnership initiated a comprehensive reform program and planted the seed for what would become the Virunga Alliance an innovative development programme to address the root causes of poverty and conflict, with the aim of eradicating illegal and destructive resource extraction in the region. It is an extraordinary park steeped in a history of tragedy and heroism: primordial and viscerally wild. This savannah-like section offers the best chance to spot the more traditional safari animals, including elephant, lion, and buffalo. Located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Rwenzoris, or Mountains of the Moon, are the third highest mountain chain in Africa. 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. 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. Rwanda Following the Rwandan genocide, thousands of refugees fled to the Kivu region, and the presence of military increased. [2], In 1996, the national park was listed as a Ramsar site of international importance. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Hippopotamuses, rare mountain gorillas, okapis, antelope, warthogs, and pelicans all live in Virunga as well. This powerful image of the silverback Senkwekwe brought global attention to this horrific event. Updates? Omissions? 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 local community has no where else to turn for security, and relies on the protection of armed groups, for which fees are levied off the prohibited activities. Updates? The crater of Muhavura contains a small lake. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Some biologists even believe that a fifth subspecies, called the mountain or Virunga buffalo, should be recognised. Still, military and rebel forces remain in eastern Congo and continue fighting as well as poaching and cutting down trees. The grey crowned crane can be found in the wetlands, open grasslands, savannas, and cultivated areas and tropical lowland forests near the Ishasha River and Rwindi River. Corrections? They are solitary creatures who remain isolated except when threatened or breeding. Virunga National Park was founded in 1925 as Albert National Park. The, However, this is no idle volcano. Virunga owes its existence, at least in part, to the presence of the endangered (, . The Virunga Mountains lie between Lakes Kivu and Edward and extend into Rwanda and Uganda. [43], Virunga National Park is located in the Congo Nile watershed area. Established 1991, BEST SAFARI PRICES The mountain range consists of eight major volcanoes. [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 8 Virunga Volcano Mountains [54] Visitors who brave the climb to the summit of Mt. It reopened in February 2019. national park, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 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. / 2.000S 30.000E / -2.000; 30.000. Both state security services and such groups also resort to armed robberies and kidnapping for income. Okapis are endangered, and there are probably only a few thousand remaining. 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. Virunga has a vision for responsibly harnessing the Parks natural resources to create new opportunities for the four million people that live within a days walk of its borders. 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. It is also a vital elephant habitat, as evidenced by the unexpected migration of, nearly 600 elephants from neighbouring Queen Elizabeth. The Virunga Mountains, located in the northwest part of Rwanda, contain the country's highest peak, Karisimbi, which reaches nearly 15,000 feet. The lake lies over 3000 feet (916 meters) above sea level and covers a surface area of 224,083 hectares, making it the 15th largest lake in Africa. With a checklist of 706 different species, there are more birds in Virunga than in the entire United States of America. Lake Edward is a vital resource for local fishermen. To mark Congolese independence from colonialism, Parc Albert is renamed Virunga National Park. Illegal hunting inside protected areas increased. Virunga National Park is a national park in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In direct response to the massacres, the Senkwekwe Centre is established to care for the orphans of the massacre. [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. Government officials supported exploration activities by Soco International mission members, whereas park management opposed. Virunga National Park - Africa Geographic [35], Increasing militarisation of nature conservation has been accused of fuelling armed mobilisation of militias. The volcanos forested lower slopes are home to a variety of animals, including chimpanzees, monkeys, and bushbuck. 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. Massive pods of hippo lurk around the shallows of Lake Edward and wallow in the various rivers, and bongo antelope have been spotted in the parks northern reaches. 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. The 2008 partnership between the Congolese National Parks Authority (ICCN) and the Virunga Foundation marked a turning point in the parks history. 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. 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. [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. Geography of Rwanda - Wikipedia Adult African fish eagles have mostly brown bodies with a white head and yellow face and large, powerful, black wings. The increased human population contributed to deforestation and poaching, and some natural animal migration patterns have been seriously disrupted. 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. 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. Surrounded by the mountains and home to Lake Edward, this large expanse of grassland and wooded savanna plays host to the Parks highest concentrations of elephants, buffalos and warthogs. Elevations, climates, and habitats vary notably in Virunga National Park. The Grauers gorillas consist of a handful of individuals isolated to the inaccessible Mount Tshiabirimu region of the park. The Virunga Mountains: 8 Related Volcanoes - Uganda Safaris Regional conflict spills over and an estimated 5.6 million Congolese die from the fighting. 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. Click here to learn more about the work of the Virunga Alliance. The rapid population surge causes environmental damage, and Virungas Rangers struggle to protect the forests. 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. 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. Oil exploration by an English company only added to threats facing the already beleaguered park. [44] 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). It is founded primarily to protect the mountain gorillas living in the forests of the Virunga Massif. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. 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 Parks governance structure is strengthened, and newly appointed staff negotiate access to the gorilla sector despite it being controlled by rebels. The great volcanoes of this range, clothed in cloud forests, include the dormant Mikeno, Karisimbi, Visoke, and Sabinio (Sabinyo), as well as the active Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira. [36] Since beginning of the armed conflict, armed groups killed 175 park rangers until April 2018. They are situated in the same region at the borders of the three countries. Only one mountain of the 8 is an active volcano that is Mount Nyiragongo found in DRCongo. The Virunga Mountains also popularly known as the Virunga Volcanoes range are a chain of eight volcanoes created by violent eruptions in the Albertine Rift region. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Virunga Mountains in Congo were formed as a result of volcanic activity from the past. 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. Some biologists even believe that a fifth subspecies, called the mountain or Virunga buffalo, should be recognised. [15], Virunga National Park's faunal species include 196 mammals, 706 bird species, 109 reptiles and 65 amphibians as of 2012. He even attended the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles. The range lies between the Lake Kivu and Lake Edward, and is an extension of the Albertine Rift Mountains. UNESCO designated the park a World Heritage site in 1979, and it was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1994, because of the growth of permanent settlements within the park and the influx of a great number of refugees fleeing war in neighbouring Rwanda. Naturally, the park authorities are aware of this, and they take the safety of their guests extremely seriously. Virunga Mountains - Virunga Volcanoes, Virunga Mountain Ranges Facts About Virunga Mountains | Mount Nyiragongo | Volcanoes Park The largest herd of elephants over 500 - since the 1980's are observed in the Ishasha corridor of Virunga. editors@africageographic.com [34], These tactics, criticised as "militarization of conservation", has been blamed for further violence and dispossession faced by local indigenous people. The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. The 8 Virunga Volcano Mountains: The Virunga is a chain of Volcanic Mountains in East Africa that's shared between Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. Even the air is redolent with the scent of rich soil, and intrepid visitors find themselves besieged by butterflies and ebrious with delight at the natural life on show. The oldest mountain is Mount Sabyinyo, which rises 3,634 metres (11,923ft) above sea level. 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. It is headed by Andr Bauma, a man who has become almost as famous as his gorilla charges. The Virunga Mountains cover three countries of Africa that includes the south Western part of Uganda which covers the Mgahinga National park, the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo covering the Virunga National park and the North Western part of Rwanda which covers the Volcanoes National park.

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