Following the Rwandan genocide, thousands of refugees fled to the Kivu region, and the presence of military increased. [34], Five rangers were killed in August 2017 near Lake Edward in a militia attack. The Virunga chained mountains, also known as the Virunga Massif, offer unique experiences to tourists in Africa. [7], There have been several deadly attacks in the park by rebel groups, and several park rangers have been killed. Chimpanzees are an endangered species and one of the four species of great apes. The Parks visitor accommodation at Mikeno Lodge welcomes new guests seeking to visit Virunga. Fuelled by subsistence and profit-driven poaching, rebel groups launch attacks on patrol posts in the Northern Sector of the Park. Remains of dicots such as African caper (Capparis tomentosa), Maerua species, wild cucurbits, and nightshades were found in dung balls of African elephants (Loxodonta) that play a significant role for seed dispersal in the grasslands. / 2.000S 30.000E / -2.000; 30.000. The central sector is centred around the banks of Lake Edward. It is founded primarily to protect the mountain gorillas living in the forests of the Virunga Massif. Most visitors access the park via Rwanda and pass through the border at Goma. Virunga Mountains: A gem of biodiversity in the heart of Africa [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. The southern sector borders Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. In elevation, it ranges from 680 m (2,230 ft) in the Semliki River valley to 5,109 m (16,762 ft) in the Rwenzori Mountains.From north to south it extends approximately 300 km (190 mi), largely along the international borders with Uganda and . These mountains are part of the Great Rift Valley. 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 world population of mountain gorillas is currently estimated to be at around 1000 individuals. (US) +1 (786) 655-4040, *Call costs: Local rates apply from South Africa, UK and US otherwise international rates apply, newsletter@africageographic.com [34], These tactics, criticised as "militarization of conservation", has been blamed for further violence and dispossession faced by local indigenous people. The rapid population surge causes environmental damage, and Virungas Rangers struggle to protect the forests. Virunga is the only site on earth to have three types of great apes the mountain gorilla, eastern lowland gorilla, and eastern chimpanzee. 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. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. [55] The area is considered a potential lion (Panthera leo) stronghold, if poaching is curbed and prey species recover. The connection between man and gorilla can be further explored at the Senkwekwe Centre, the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. The mountain gorilla is taken off the IUCN critically endangered species list, marking a victory for Congolese, Rwandan and Ugandan National Parks. The connection between man and gorilla can be further explored at the Senkwekwe Centre, the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. Flora/Vegatation in Virunga national park; Virunga's strategic location at the frontier between various biogeographic zones offers it an upper hand to protect both tropical rainforest and eastern steppe species and its range of altitudes adds to the habitat variety.The diversity in flora includes: bamboo and Hagenia forest on the mountains; equatorial forest along the Semiliki; wooded . The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift Mountains, which border the western branch of the East African Rift. He even attended the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles. 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. It erupts on average every two years. Their ambitious peace-building program aims to create 100,000 jobs, providing young Congolese with viable alternatives to conflict-related activities. 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). As anyone who has ever spent time with gorillas will tell you, it is an experience that defies words and borders on sacred. The range runs east-west, perpendicular to the rift valley in which lie Lakes Kivu and Edward. 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. 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. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey to observe gorillas in their native habitat, is located between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. 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 Virunga Mountains that mark the southern sector of the park consist of eight major volcanoes, most of which are dormant. (For more on the conservation and social developments by the Virunga Alliance. This may also be done to protect the highly susceptible apes from human diseases like Covid-19. The slopes of Mount Mikeno play host to a number of Virungas critically endangered mountain gorilla families. 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