The Virunga National Park which is very much known as Albert National Park is one the most antiquated and the diverse park of Africa. It stretches from the southern part of Virunga Mountains to the northern region of the Rwenzori Mountains extending towards the easternmost edge of Congo, encircling the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and Queen Elizabeth National Park and Rwenzori Mountains National Park of Uganda. The park has gained much fame in the recent years and has compelled thousands of visitors to take cheap flights to Congo to explore this astonishing and mesmerizing destination that serves as the home of an array of active volcanoes, lush meadows, swamps, greatest variety of habitats and rugged slopes.
It is spread over the land area of approximately 7, 800 square kilometres and was established in 1925. The park was also declared as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in 1979 and now it provides shelter to a large population of mountain gorillas. A number of researchers and enthusiastic travellers know this park because of its exclusive and outstanding bio-diversity that include a number of mammal species, reptile breeds and a variety of colourful birds greater than any other secured and guarded sanctuaries of African area.
The breeds of these endangered mountains gorillas are few and far between but many important and necessary measures are being taken to guard the remaining breeds. The increment in their number from 1994-2010 has surely proven the success of conservational work. Besides, the park also offers a home to low land gorillas, forest elephants, chimpanzees, buffaloes, endemic birds, giraffes, and Okapi. Very adjacent to this amazing park area, Mount Hoyo is situated which is extremely famous for mysterious caves and breathtaking waterfalls. During the last 3 years, much advancement is done here and tourism activities are being promoted; some of the most thrilling and adventurous places are listed below;
Visit the Mountain Gorillas– It will take almost two and a half hour to hit the top of the Mikeno sector which is the home of a large variety of mountain gorillas. You can also reach here from Bunagana, very close to the Uganda border.
Climb Nyiragongo Volcano– This active and boiling volcano is very popular for housing the largest lake of this world called as Lave Lake. It is easily approachable from Goma and will take not more than 6 hours to reach the peak you can have the best ever experience of night stay. You will undoubtedly be enthralled and inspired to see the jaw-dropping vista of red-hot lave which becomes very much glistening and brightest in the dark.
Rwenzori Mountain Trek– Rwenzori Mountains are always blanketed with snow and provides some of the best opportunities of adventurous mountain hiking. It will take approximately 4-6 days to trek the glacier and you have to land in Beni to start your excursion.
Visit the Tongo Chimps– amongst the picturesque and magical landscapes of Tongo hills that are located in the southern part of Virunga Park, you will love to observe the entertaining and exciting activities of Chimpanzees. The volcano of Nyamulagira flows very near to it came into being some 300 years ago.
The park is bordered with a wide agglomeration of lodges such as the Mikeno Lodge, Nyiragongo Crater Cabanes and Bukima Patrol Post. So without getting worried about your luxury and comforts, just pack up your luggage and head towards this wonderful park.
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