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. Virunga Mountains: The stunning Virunga Mountains are a chain of Volcano Mountains shared between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. [2] It covers an area of 8,090km2 (3,120sqmi). One of Africas most spectacular protected areas. 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. The human population there, which was negligible when the park was established, increased considerably during the late 20th century. The First and Second Congo Wars further destabilised the region. On any given day, its shores abound with hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and chimpanzees. [25], 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. The Virungas form a barrier between the Nile Basin to the north and east and the Congo Basin to the west and south. The Virunga Mountains are 8 famously known mountain ranges that lie on the northern border of Rwanda and Congo and south western part of Uganda. The Viringa Mountains are composed of up to 8 Volcanic summits including two active volcanoes of Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira located in DRC in Virunga National Park. Preventing these plans the park gained further protection by an agreement sealed between DRCs president Felix Tshisekedi and Boris Johnson at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. The UK oil company Soco announces that it will not renew its claim to an oil concession in Virunga National Park. There are melodic Kivu ground thrushes, mythical Grauers cuckooshrikes and yellow-crested helmetshrikes, mysterious Albertine owlets and ghostly Congo Bay owls, dazzling purple-breasted and Rockefeller sunbirds, raucous white-headed woodhoopoes, dainty Rwenzori batises, data deficient and endangered Itombwe nightjars, Prigogines greenbuls, Kungwe apalises, Grauers swamp warbler and golden-naped weavers. It is an extraordinary park steeped in a history of tragedy and heroism: primordial and viscerally wild. Over the past 20 years, Virunga has seen many periods of conflict, often beginning in or around the Park. Andre Bauma is the manager of the Senkwekwe Center and heads up the team of dedicated carers responsible for looking after the Center's orphaned mountain gorillas. Goma, the capital city of the province on the northern shores of Lake Kivu is 35 km (1-hour drive) away from Rumangabo, the park headquarters located in the southern sector of Kibumba. They eat mostly fruit, but also feed on buds, shoots, leaves, flowers, and insects. At 26,338 square kilometres (10,169 sq mi), Rwanda is the world's 149th-largest country. Virunga National Park, formerly Albert National Park, park in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa). The increased human population contributed to deforestation and poaching, and some natural animal migration patterns have been seriously disrupted. This powerful image of the silverback Senkwekwe brought global attention to this horrific event. To comment on this story: Download our app here - it's a troll-free safe place . [6] 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. The rapid population surge causes environmental damage, and Virungas Rangers struggle to protect the forests. [2] Latter controlled the Mikeno sector of Virunga National Park between December 2006 and January 2009. [14] Getting to the summit of these mountains takes an average of 5 . The park is home to abundant wildlife, including elephants, whose numbers began decreasing in the late 20th century, and lions, which also face various threats. The Grauers gorillas consist of a handful of individuals isolated to the inaccessible Mount Tshiabirimu region of the park. Here dedicated keepers have raised the young survivors of anthropogenic cruelty (poaching and snaring), as well as rehabilitating eastern lowland gorillas. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Nyiragongos summit rim is largely devoid of vegetation and is sometimes dusted with snow. However, taking one taxing step at a time has paid off. Ten years later in 1979, Virunga was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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. Mount Mikeno is an extinct volcano located in the Virunga Mountains. Mount Karisimbi is the highest volcano at 4,507 metres (14,787ft). In 1926, Derscheid headed the first Belgian mission to map Albert National Park, which encompassed an area of 500km2 (190sqmi) around the extinct volcanoes Mount Karisimbi and Mount Mikeno. January 17, Nyiragongo volcano erupts spreading lava through the city of Goma. Naturally, the park authorities are aware of this, and they take the safety of their guests extremely seriously. Farther north are the Rutshuru Falls and the Mai ya Moto sulfur springs. The mountain gorilla is taken off the IUCN critically endangered species list, marking a victory for Congolese, Rwandan and Ugandan National Parks. 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). The gorilla massacres catalyzed a groundswell of efforts to protect Virunga. 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. Seven mountain gorillas from the Rugendo family are murdered. While many of the gorillas sensibly prefer to reside on the slopes of the dormant Mikeno volcano, the southern section is also the location of the two active volcanoes in the park Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira. 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. 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$2830 million. Naturally, the park authorities are aware of this, and they take the safety of their guests extremely seriously. [3][47] Discounts at Africas best lodges and on our hand-made packages subscribers only, STORIES & DISCUSSIONS Corrections? These, in turn, keep the lions of the park suitably satiated. Eastern Congo is one of the most economically disadvantaged places on earth, and competition for the Parks rich natural resources has always been fierce. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Virunga National Park is located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, within the Albertine Rift Valley. A land of unparalleled biodiversity and exceptional beauty, bursting with life of every form. Oil exploration by an English company only added to threats facing the already beleaguered park. The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. [7], After the Second Congo War was over, confrontations between park personnel and rebel groups continued; 80 park staff were killed between 1996 and 2003. [34], Five rangers were killed in August 2017 near Lake Edward in a militia attack. (For more on the conservation and social developments by the Virunga Alliance, have a look at their website.). Virunga is part of the Albertine Rift (the western branch of the East African Rift) and stretches from the snow-covered peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains in the north to the Virunga Massif in the south. 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. However, another creature is arguably Virungas (and Africas) most peculiar offering. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Safaris, discussions & donations that make a real difference in Africa. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. All travel bookings booked via Trust my Travel are financially protected by them. The Virunga Mountains lie between Lakes Kivu and Edward and extend into Rwanda and Uganda. Created in 1925, it has an area of some 3,050 square miles (7,900 square km) and contains a vast diversity of habitats. The park is also home to a diverse array of fauna and flora, including over 200 mammal species and a third of the worlds remaining mountain gorillas. The southern sector stretches to the shores of Lake Kivu and encompasses Nyamulagira, Nyiragongo and Mikeno volcanoes with montane forests on their slopes. The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift Mountains, which border the western branch of the East African Rift. [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. This helps to increase understanding of mountain gorilla behaviour, as well as allowing veterinary teams to intervene if gorillas are injured or showing signs of ill health. Learn more about the Okapi Conservation Project, a project working to protect these unique mammals in the DRC, as well as the forests and creatures of Okapi Wildlife Reserve. Today, they are probably the parks most famous residents. The okapi is the closest known relative to the giraffe and looks very much as though someone crossed a zebra, antelope, and giraffe. 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. The mountain gorillas have increased from fewer than 70 to over 300 in ten years and hippos from 300 to over 2,000, while elephant and lion sightings are now a fairly regular occurrence. Recent eruptions occurred in 2006, 2010 and May 2021. The Virunga Mountains are all volcanic mountains but most of them are dormant. During the 2002 eruption, some of Nyiragongos lava flows were clocked at 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) and reached all the way to Lake Kivu. 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". Hippo numbers increase to over 2000 for the first time in 20 years. However, another creature is arguably Virungas (and Africas) most peculiar offering. The six volcanoes of the centre and east are extinct. Average temperatures in lower altitudes vary from 2328C (7382F), and in higher altitudes from 1624C (6175F), rarely dropping below 14C (57F). 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. 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. In altitude, this sector ranges from 680m (2,230ft) in the Puemba River valley to the highest peak of Mount Stanley at 5,109m (16,762ft) within 30km (19mi). Also known as: Birunga Mountains, Mufumbiro Mountains. 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). Mount Nyiragongo is 3,470 meters, Mount Nyamuragira is 3,058 meters and Mount Mikeno is 4,437 meters. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}012545S 293254E / 1.42917S 29.54833E / -1.42917; 29.54833. 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. 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. Chattering troops of flamboyant eastern black-and-white colobus monkeys frequent the lodges while the booming calls of De Brazzas monkeys echo through the valleys. Two active volcanoes are located in the park, Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira. The 2008 partnership between the Congolese National Parks Authority (ICCN) and the Virunga Foundation marked a turning point in the parks history. 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. This picturesque part of the park adjoins the Rwenzori Mountains and Semuliki National Parks in neighbouring Uganda. Key Information. Chattering troops of flamboyant eastern b, There are four recognised subspecies of the African buffalo in Africa and two of these the Cape and forest are found in Virunga. The range runs east-west, perpendicular to the rift valley in which lie Lakes Kivu and Edward. Some biologists even believe that a fifth subspecies, called the mountain or Virunga buffalo, should be recognised. Description of the Virunga Mountains Regional conflict spills over and an estimated 5.6 million Congolese die from the fighting. The presence of these volcanoes has shaped the landscape of the park over the years . Much of the parks central region is occupied by Lake Edward. [24], In the late 1950s, Tutsi herders and their cattle entered the park, destroying natural habitat up to an altitude of 3,000m (9,800ft), which was thought to threaten the park's gorillas. 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. [50], The Semliki River provides habitat for Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). The connection between man and gorilla can be further explored at the Senkwekwe Centre, the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. 400,000 people are evacuated and 147 are killed in the eruption. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. It erupts on average every two years. It is also a vital elephant habitat, as evidenced by the unexpected migration of, nearly 600 elephants from neighbouring Queen Elizabeth. [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. Its northern sector encompasses part of the Semliki River basin, as well as savanna and montane forest of the Albertine Rift. 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. 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. The local community has developed negative feeling towards park personnel and the military. The park is periodically closed when they feel that the situation on the ground is such that security cannot be guaranteed. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site internationally recognized for its exceptional wildlife and habitats. [39], In April 2020 at least 12 park rangers were killed by militia men attacking a civilian convoy. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hiking the Sabyinyo volcano takes approximately 7 to 9 hours. 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. [7] About 850,000 refugees lived around the national park in 1994. The region's glaciers, waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa's most beautiful alpine areas. Not more than 20,000 years ago Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira emerged at the western end of the chain, both with extensive craters. 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. Okapis are endangered, and there are probably only a few thousand remaining. Fuelled by subsistence and profit-driven poaching, rebel groups launch attacks on patrol posts in the Northern Sector of the Park. In 2007, the mass killing of the Rugendo family of gorillas catapulted the parks plight onto the world stage, and the global attention spurned increased funding and conservation measures.
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