where are the virunga mountains located

The connection between man and gorilla can be further explored at the Senkwekwe Centre, the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. Virunga is the continents most biologically diverse protected area and a national park embarking on an ambitious development programme known as the Virunga Alliance. Shoebills can be found in the swamps and marshes of Virungas Central Sector near Lake Edward, the Ishasha River, and the Rwindi River. A conflict between rebel and army forces results in the untimely death of the silverback of the Rugendo family. The best way to establish the state of affairs and what activities are on offer is to chat to the Africa Geographic travel team, who are in constant communication with Virungas park authorities and regularly send intrepid travelers to the area when it is safe to do so. The past 14 years have been far from plain sailing, and the park has suffered its fair share of losses, particularly of the brave rangers dedicated to protecting the park. 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. [13], 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. Tree heath (Erica arborea), heather and mosses cover humid slopes up to 3,700m (12,100ft) elevation. Two active volcanoes are located in the park, Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira. The park is periodically closed when they feel that the situation on the ground is such that security cannot be guaranteed. 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). Mountain gorillas (, ) are a subspecies of the critically endangered eastern gorilla, and there are believed to be just over 1,000 remaining. The presence of these volcanoes has shaped the landscape of the park over the years . 2003). Virunga national park located in the democratic republic of Congo hosts 6 Virunga volcanoes that is mount karisimbi, mount Nyiragongo, mount Sabyinyo, mount Mikeno, mount Nyamurangira, and Mount Bisoke. 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. On any given day, its shores abound with hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and chimpanzees. Of its eight major volcanic peaks, the highest is Karisimbi, at 14,787 feet (4,507 metres). Much of the parks central region is occupied by Lake Edward. editors@africageographic.com 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 (FDLR). The mountain range consists of eight major volcanoes. Only one mountain of the 8 is an active volcano that is Mount Nyiragongo found in DRCongo. [14] [43], Virunga National Park is located in the Congo Nile watershed area. One of Africas most spectacular protected areas. Great blues are shy and rarely descend to the ground except for drinking and bathing. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. 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. 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. The Virunga Mountains lie between Lakes Kivu and Edward and extend into Rwanda and Uganda. Today, they are probably the parks most famous residents. Virunga National Park was founded in 1925 as Albert National Park. The Virunga Mountains are all volcanic mountains but most of them are dormant. Nyiragongos summit rim is largely devoid of vegetation and is sometimes dusted with snow. They eat mostly fruit, but also feed on buds, shoots, leaves, flowers, and insects. The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. Here dedicated keepers have raised the young survivors of anthropogenic cruelty (poaching and snaring), as well as rehabilitating eastern lowland gorillas. [16][18] Between the late 1930s and 1955, an estimated 85,000 Rwandophone people were moved to nearby Masisi in North Kivu. Learn more about mountain gorillas in our story on these gentle giants. The northern sector is characterised by the dramatic Rwenzori Mountains, with sharp peaks and plunging valleys that descend to the Semuliki River valley. 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. Naturally, the park authorities are aware of this, and they take the safety of their guests extremely seriously. Nyiragongo are rewarded with a view of the worlds largest lava lake as it churns and bubbles. 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. This variation is determined by a number of factors such as the soil type, soil depth, animals and invertebrates in the area, and minerals within the soil. / 2.000S 30.000E / -2.000; 30.000. Virunga is the continent's most biologically diverse protected area and a national park embarking on an ambitious development programme known as the "Virunga Alliance". 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The habituation process is done by researchers and rangers who visit the gorillas on a daily basis for between two and three years until the gorillas are comfortable having people near them. 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. [18] In 1969, the two parks were merged under the name Virunga National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Tullow Oil Plc, TotalEnergies, ENI and China National Offshore Oil Corporation Ltd (CNOOC) were interested in acquiring drilling permissions. Virunga National Park is placed on the list of endangered World Heritage sites. There are an estimated 30,000 individuals left in the wild. Mikeno and Sabinio are the oldest of these, dating from the early part of the Pleistocene Epoch (the Pleistocene began about 2,600,000 years ago and lasted until about 11,700 years ago); their craters have disappeared, and erosion has imposed a jagged relief. The largest herd of elephants over 500 - since the 1980's are observed in the Ishasha corridor of Virunga. Learn more about the history of Virunga National Park by exploring the timeline below. [54] The okapi is the closest known relative to the giraffe and looks very much as though someone crossed a zebra, antelope, and giraffe. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The word Virunga is got from a local word "Ibirunga* the Kinyarwanda word for "mountains". Together with Queen Elizabeth National Park, Virunga is considered by the IUCN to be a Lion Conservation Unit. It is headed by Andr Bauma, a man who has become almost as famous as his gorilla charges. Virunga National Park is one of the five UNESCO protected areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the ICCN. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The UK oil company Soco announces that it will not renew its claim to an oil concession in Virunga National Park. 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. Some biologists even believe that a fifth subspecies, called the mountain or Virunga buffalo, should be recognised. 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. 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 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. The lava field of these two volcanoes has remained active, with notable eruptions occurring in 1912, 1938, 1948, the 1970s, and 2002. [8][9], There have been plans to drill for oil in the Congo Basin since the 2000s. [4] The crater of Muhavura contains a small lake. In direct response to the massacres, the Senkwekwe Centre is established to care for the orphans of the massacre. 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. Virunga National Park, formerly Albert National Park, park in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa). [50] Though valiant efforts were made to protect the park, the end of the 20. century saw much of the parks wildlife massacred almost to the point of extinction. 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. Both savanna and forest buffalo are found in the park and can be found roaming the Rwindi plains in the Parks Central Sector. Click here to learn more about the work of the Virunga Alliance. 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. Elevations, climates, and habitats vary notably in Virunga National Park. Seven mountain gorillas from the Rugendo family are murdered. Updates? This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Virunga-National-Park, UNESCO World Heritage Centre - Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa). [45] is the branch of the Congolese government tasked with the protection and conservation of protected areas in the DRC. [51][52][53] Other ungulates present include Ugandan kob (Kobus kob thomasi), waterbuck (K. ellipsiprymnus), andcommon warthog (Phacochoerus africanus). 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 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 . 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). Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site internationally recognized for its exceptional wildlife and habitats. The past 14 years have been far from plain sailing, and the park has suffered its fair share of losses, particularly of the brave rangers dedicated to protecting the park. 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. Oil exploration by an English company only added to threats facing the already beleaguered park. While the apes may be the stars, the supporting cast of around 19 smaller primate species is deserving of a special mention. 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 mountain gorilla is taken off the IUCN critically endangered species list, marking a victory for Congolese, Rwandan and Ugandan National Parks. The 8 Virunga Volcano Mountains: The Virunga is a chain of Volcanic Mountains in East Africa that's shared between Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. The Rwandan genocide causes nearly two million refugees to flee the country. 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. The Parks governance structure is strengthened, and newly appointed staff negotiate access to the gorilla sector despite it being controlled by rebels. 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. With a checklist of 706 different species, there are more birds in Virunga than in the entire United States of America. Individual volcanoes bear Rwandan descriptive names, such as Sabinio (Sabinyo; Old Man with Large Teeth) and Muhavura (Landmark, or Guide). The mountain range is said to be a part of the Albertine Rift located in the Great Rift Valley. The range runs east-west, perpendicular to the rift valley in which lie Lakes Kivu and Edward. [15], Virunga National Park's flora encompasses 2,077 plant species, including 264 tree species and 230 plants that are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Ten years later in 1979, Virunga was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All travel bookings booked via Trust my Travel are financially protected by them. Lake Rutenzige is fed by several large rivers, the Rutshuru River being one, and drains to the north through the Semliki River into Lake Albert. The Virunga Mountains that mark the southern sector of the park consist of eight major volcanoes, most of which are dormant. Every family comes with its dynamics, characters and stories, and the rangers have kept track of it all you can read more about their histories and present breakdown here. Ultra-luxury is not the order of the day in Virunga, but there are high-end accommodation options, and all the camps are comfortable. It is Virunga National Park in DRC, and it is remarkable. [2] Latter controlled the Mikeno sector of Virunga National Park between December 2006 and January 2009. Corrections? This innovative, community focussed approach to conservation is working to reduce the pressures currently faced by the Parks Rangers from armed groups, illegal poaching, and land encroachment. 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). Over the past 20 years, Virunga has seen many periods of conflict, often beginning in or around the Park. Its northern sector encompasses part of the Semliki River basin, as well as savanna and montane forest of the Albertine Rift. As is inevitable, this tableau of human suffering has spilt over into the conservation of the countrys natural resources, and Virunga has found itself in the middle of countless conflicts. These savannas and woodlands contain many different types of grasses and trees. The oldest mountain is Mount Sabyinyo, which rises 3,634 metres (11,923ft) above sea level. Virunga Mountains in Congo were formed as a result of volcanic activity from the past. The 2002 Nyiragongo eruption destroyed much of the nearby city of Goma, Congo, leaving thousands homeless. In addition to buffalo, the plains support several ungulates, including topi, Ugandan kob, waterbuck, warthog, and red river and giant forest hog. 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. Both the highest and lowest recorded rainfalls in the republic occur within the parks boundaries: while annual rainfall at Lake Edward is some 20 inches (500 mm), the west slope of Mount Ruwenzori, less than 47 miles (75 km) away, receives more than 118 inches (3,000 mm). 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. La Fondation Virunga Belgique was incorporated in 2015 to support Virunga National Park through fundraising and public outreach. The name Virunga (Volcanoes), probably of Swahili derivation, has prevailed over the earlier Mufumbiro (That Which Cooks), which is still used in Uganda. (RSA) +27 (87) 551-8105 Dch trong bi cnh "VN QUC GIA CONGO" trong ting vit-ting anh. Photo Galleries, Photographer of the Year, TRAVEL & CONSERVATION COMPANY He even attended the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles. 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. Situated in the center of the Albertine Rift, between Uganda and Rwanda, Virungas 7,800 square kilometers (3,000 square miles) stretches from the Virunga Massif in the south, to the Rwenzori Mountains in the north. African alpine bamboo (Yushania alpina) grows at altitudes of 2,3002,600m (7,5008,500ft). [48], The montane forest between 1,800 and 2,800m (5,900 and 9,200ft) in the southern sector is dominated by Ficalhoa laurifolia and Podocarpus milanjianus with up to 25m (82ft) high trees. In addition to buffalo, the plains support several ungulates, including topi, Ugandan kob, waterbuck, warthog, and red river and giant forest hog. As a consequence, the park remained closed to visitors from June 2018[38] until February 2019. [32] African fish eagles are birds of prey that live in the waterways of sub-Saharan Africa. Description of the Virunga Mountains To comment on this story: Download our app here - it's a troll-free safe place . 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. Established 1991, BEST SAFARI PRICES Around one third of the world population of critically endangered mountain gorillas live in the lush volcanic forests of Virunga National Park. Disorder spreads across the Park's Southern Sector. 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. Together with Queen Elizabeth National Park, Virunga is considered by the IUCN to be a Lion Conservation Unit. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 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. To find lodges, search for our ready-made packages or get in touch with our travel team, scroll down to after this story. [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. Virunga National Park is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and receives an average of 6,500 visitors per year.

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