Virunga massif is another name to mean the Virunga conservation area; it covers three national parks that are located along the tri-border boundary encompassing three famous national parks, including Mgahinga national park of Uganda, Volcanoes national park of Rwanda and Virunga national park of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This area boasts being the prime habitat of endangered mountain gorillas, as well as other rich diversity that lives in this area.
This area has amazing attractions like the primates, history of Dian Fossey in Volcanoes national park, mountains and vibrant tribes and hospitable people living at the forest edges.
Gorilla trekking.
This is the main and famous activity carried out within the Virunga conservation area and about 20 gorilla families are tracked every day. Gorilla trekking is normally done in the morning at each park as mentioned above and lasts for about 3 to 5 hours depending on where they are located.
An hour during a face to face interaction is granted to visitors trekking an assigned gorilla group. The Virunga conservation area is comprised of about 600 gorillas though the number keeps on changing due to new births and deaths. Currently the gorilla families being visited in Virunga national park include one family in Mgahinga national park, eight families in Virunga national park and 11 families in Volcanoes national park.
Golden monkey trekking.
Golden monkeys can be found in Volcanoes national park and Mgahinga national park of Rwanda and Uganda respectively. These are some of the unique and rare monkeys in the world. Trekking takes you to where the monkeys are located in the bamboo forests and an hour is also granted to you while enjoying their presence.
Golden monkeys live in groups of 20 – 60 individuals and can be easily noticed by their golden patches at the back of their bodies.
Mountain hiking.
The Virunga conservation area is comprised by 8 volcanic mountains, of which 2 are active – Mount. Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira. Mount Karisimbi is the highest peak towering 4,507m above sea level.
Hiking expeditions take place on all the eight mountains, offering great views of the surrounding environment but also resident primates and birds which are spotted during on the hike. The volcano summits offer the best experience, for example the Mount. Sabyinyo gives a view of the 3 countries – Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo, Mount Nyiragongo has the largest lava lake that boils permanently.
Bird watching.
The Virunga conservation area is home to more than 300 bird species and some can be spotted while on birding tour in any of the parks. Among others some resident birds include Grey-capped Warbler, Wax Bills, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Fire finch, White-napped Raven, Black Kite and Rwenzori turacos. Some of the birds here are rift valley endemics and they can be found in bamboo trees, grassland, alpine and many more places.
Batwa trail experience.
This forest trail takes tourists into the interior of Mgahinga forest in Uganda to explore the real lifestyle of the Batwa pygmies. With a help of the park ranger and Batwa local guide, you will be taken to experience the roots and history of the Batwa that used to live in the forest, the guide explains different herbal medicines, hunting methods and the caves met while on the way in the designated trails.
Dian Fossey Research Center.
This research Centre is located in between Karisimbi Mountain and Bisoke Mountain. It was established by a researcher and primatologist Dian Fossey who saved mountain gorillas that were at the verge of extinction in early 1980s.
Mountain gorillas were highly poached for sell to the prestigious pet markets abroad, for cultural rituals and for bush meat. Dian Fossey was killed in cold blood in 1985 by unknown people at her home in Karisoke area and her grave is located next to other graves of her beloved gorillas. Hiking can take about 3 to 5 hours to reach this research center but very experiential and rewarding.
