Traveling to Virunga National Park
Getting to Virunga National Park is easy for a visitor since they only need to follow correct protocols with correct documentation. In Eastern section of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Virunga National Park is a national park in the Albertine Rift Valley. Among the first preserved areas in Africa, the park was established in 1925. The park stretches 5,109 meters in the Rwenzori Mountains to 680 meters in the Semliki River valley. From the north to the south, the park stretches over 300kms mostly following Uganda’s and Rwanda’s international boundaries in the East. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, the park boasts 7800 square km of territory. But in 1994 Virunga National Park was declared a Ramsar Site and a World Heritage in Danger. Two active volcanoes in the park underwent most recent eruptions in 2002.
There are 196 mammals, 67 amphibians, 708 bird species, and 108 reptiles in the park—natural habitat for these species. With their backside clearly visible and found in the same area, the primate species in the park is unparalleled. Among the park’s species are the Hamlyn’s monkeys, chimpanzees, Grey-cheeked mangabey, and the greatly sought-after endangered mountain gorillas. Most visitors to the park come for the mountain gorillas. Most visitors to the park go gorilla treking and hiking the Nyiragongo mountain to view the lava lake that boils all crimson.
One must have correct documentation to be allowed admission to Virunga National Park if one is to enter Congo. One cannot enter the nation without documentation including a valid passport, VISAS, and a yellow fever vaccination card. One can reach Virunga National Park by either road or air. Either of each can let a visitor reach Virunga National Park.
By Road: If not from Goma town, road travel to Virunga National Park can be somewhat difficult. If not from Goma Town in the Congo, one must have appropriate documentation to simplify the border crossing procedures throughout every nation.
Travelers connecting from Uganda to Virunga National Park will be able to reach the park via Kisoro district to the Bunagana border station, which marks the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. You will show your travel records to the immigration officials at the border post here. After that, you will travel one hour or so to Bukima, where the park staff will meet you to safely move you farther into the park. Driving to your lodging, make sure you have an armed ranger with you.
From Rwanda to Virunga National Park, visitors can make their way via Gisenyi town, which boasts breathtaking vistas as you travel to Goma town. The travel to Bukima the park headquarters can take up to two hours. Following your schedule, you will next meet with security staff or armed ranger who will safely move you to the park to carry out your park activities.
Making it to Virunga National Park
Gorillas at National Park of Virunga
Travelers should be aware that, unlike when they would have flown in, taking road transportation to reach the park would take longer hours. Therefore, prior preparation is essential to arrive on time to execute your activities as intended.
By air transfers: Should they decide to fly in, visitors will have quick access to the park. Getting reach Virunga National Park faster is via flying Ethiopian Airlines into Goma International Airport of Congo. The airline runs up to three flights every week, allowing visitors to conveniently reach the park. From Goma, roughly an hour’s drive to the park with armed police assistance would see you arriving earlier than others who employ road travel.
Travelers are urged to have ranger escorts most of the time with them for nothing more than safety, regardless of the kind of transportation means you are utilizing. Spend some time organizing a suitable and safe safari to Virunga National Park using a reputable tour operator that will go above and beyond to ensure you reach the park safe and sound and have the finest safari experience.
