How to Get to Virunga National Park

How to Get to Virunga National Park, this is something that can easily be handled by someone who is conversant with the dynamics of Congo. This article explains the easiest way to get access to the Virunga National Park of Congo.

Virunga national park is a gorilla destination in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Africa there are only four gorilla destinations apart from Virunga national park and others include Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga national park in Uganda and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Virunga national park is one of the most visited national parks in Democratic Republic of Congo due to the presence of the mountain gorilla families. Virunga national park is located in the eastern part of Congo covering an area of about 8090 square kilometres and is part of the Virunga massif which is shared by Mgahinga national park in Uganda and volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Virunga national park is the oldest national park in Africa that was gazetted in 1925 purposely to protect and conserve the endangered mountain gorillas.

Virunga national park is a home of a over 706 bird species, 218 mammal species including the Forest Elephants, Buffaloes, Topi, Duikers, Hippos, Bushbucks, Waterbucks, Giant Forest Hogs, Rare Ground Hogs, Lions, primate species like the famous Mountain Gorillas with about 8 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking on a daily basis, Chimpanzees, Red Tailed Monkeys, Black and White Monkeys, Olive Baboon, Reptiles, Amphibians, Vegetation types with various tree and plant species among others.

Getting to Virunga National Park

Virunga national park is located in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo and can be accessed through Air or Road transport by visitors who want to visit the park for either gorilla trekking activity which is the major tourism activity in the park or other activities that the park has to offer such as chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation, bird watching, nature walks, hiking Nyiragongo mountain among others.

Air transport: Virunga national park can be accessed by the use of Air where visitors can book flights through the Ethiopian airways which operate single flights once a week and other domestic flights to Goma Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The flights should be booked in advance and after arriving at Goma airport you will hire a private 4WD vehicle or if you booked your safari via a tour operator, the tour company vehicle will pick you from Goma Airport to Bukima park headquarters which is a starting point for gorilla trekking and it takes about 1 hour drive.

Air transport means can also be used by visitors who are travelling from Rwanda where they will fly to Kigali international airport and then connect by road through Gisenyi or Goma border to Bukima park headquarters and the journey takes about 3 to 4 hours from Kigali City to Bukima.

Road transport: When you are travelling to the Virunga national park, there are many routes that you can use for example:

Route from Uganda, when you are using this route you will fly to Entebbe airport then drive to Kisoro town, this route is quite tiresome because it’s along distance from Kampala capital city of Uganda to Kisoro though rewarding with scenic views, stopover like at the equator among others. You will have an overnight in Kisoro town because you will reach Kisoro in the evening and then connect to Bunagana border the next day and to Bukima park headquarters which takes about 2 to 3 hours’ drive. The road from Goma to Bukima park headquarters is not in good conditions though it is passable hence not safe during the night and need to use 4WD tour vehicle.
Route from Rwanda where you will drive from Kigali capital city of Rwanda through Gisenyi to Bukima, starting point for gorilla trekking.
Route from Bukavu in Congo, in case you are coming from Bukavu in Congo, you will drive to Bukima patrol post and the journey takes about 5 to 6 hours’ drive. During this journey, you will have beautiful views on your way such as landscapes among others.

When coming from Bukavu, you can also use water transport means like a ferry, hire speed boats or public boats from Lake Kivu to Goma and then you will hire a private vehicle from Goma to Bukima park headquarters.

Visitors who want to visit the Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda and Rwanda will cross from either Gisenyi border in Rwanda or Bunagana border in Kisoro-Uganda. You will need to have the important requirements that will be needed while crossing at the borders in order to be allowed to access the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A passport which should be valid for at least six months
Congo Visa which should have been obtained two weeks before the travel date
Yellow fever card which should be acquired in advance before departure and in case you don’t have it, you will be tested on arrival.
Gorilla trekking permit which is also acquired in advance and is presented at the border as identification for the reason why you are visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Virunga national park offers a number of activities to visitors on a safari in Democratic Republic of Congo such as gorilla trekking which is the most done activity in the park where visitors will be able to trek gorillas in the jungle and also spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Other activities are chimpanzee trekking and habituation, bird watching, Hiking Nyiragongo volcano, Nature walks, visiting Senkwekwe Orphanage Centre which is the only facility that takes care of the orphaned gorillas in Africa, Landscape viewing among others. The activities are enjoyable and adventurous hence giving visitors on a safari in Democratic Republic of Congo with lifetime experiences.

Where to stay when in Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park is situated in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and has few accommodation facilities compared to other gorilla destinations in Bwindi Forest national park and Volcanoes national park. The accommodation facilities in Virunga national park range from luxury, mid-range and budget, they include Mikeno Lodge, Bukima Tented Camp, Tchegera Island Tented Camp, Nyiragongo Summit Shelter, Kibumba Tented Camp in the southeastern part of Virunga, Lulimbi Tented Camp in the eastern part, Lake Kivu hotel in Goma among others. Lodges in Virunga National park offer quiet and conducive atmosphere for relaxation especially after gorilla trekking, great scenic views of Virunga forest and the surrounding communities, views of wildlife species, spacious and comfortable beds, prepare both local and international dishes for the visitors to enjoy their stay during the safari tour in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Are you in need of beautiful, unique, adventurous experiences on your Congo safari, Virunga national park is the destination you can visit in Africa any time throughout the year with interesting activities like Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, Hiking Nyiragongo volcano, Landscape viewing, Nature walks in the forest among others?