where are the virunga mountains located

More than 3,000 faunal and floral species have been recorded, of which more than 300 are endemic to the Albertine Rift including eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and golden monkey (Cercopithecus kandti). Hippopotamuses, rare mountain gorillas, okapis, antelope, warthogs, and pelicans all live in Virunga as well. 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 habituation process is done by researchers and rangers who visit the gorillas on a daily basis for between two and three years until the gorillas are comfortable having people near them. This may also be done to protect the highly susceptible apes from human diseases like Covid-19. 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. [54] Mount Nyiragongo is 3,470 meters, Mount Nyamuragira is 3,058 meters and Mount Mikeno is 4,437 meters. 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. Despite the global call for protected areas to cover 30% of the earth by 2030, there are still many parks and reserves where the future hangs very much in the balance. 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). In April, in an effort to end the war, a peace agreement is signed by government and rebel forces. The best way to establish the state of affairs and what activities are on offer is to chat to the Africa Geographic travel team, who are in constant communication with Virungas park authorities and regularly send intrepid travelers to the area when it is safe to do so. Mikeno and Sabinio are the oldest of these, dating from the early part of the Pleistocene Epoch (the Pleistocene began about 2,600,000 years ago and lasted until about 11,700 years ago); their craters have disappeared, and erosion has imposed a jagged relief. March to mid May and September to November are the main rainy seasons. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Virunga-Mountains, Virunga Mountains - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Virunga Mountains - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). On several occasions a lava stream reached the shores of Lake Kivu. Virunga is the continents most biologically diverse protected area and a national park embarking on an ambitious development programme known as the Virunga Alliance. They are situated in the same region at the borders of the three countries. The Virunga Mountains, located in the northwest part of Rwanda, contain the country's highest peak, Karisimbi, which reaches nearly 15,000 feet. [50], The Semliki River provides habitat for Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). Virunga is a biodiversity spectacle but is also a testament to the courage of those that have fought and often given their lives in its defence. The Virunga mountains are the most hike in DR Congo and they include Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira which are active volcanoes, and lastly Mount Mikeno which is a dormant volcano. One of Africas most spectacular protected areas. Virunga owes its existence, at least in part, to the presence of the endangered (, . The, However, this is no idle volcano. 400,000 people are evacuated and 147 are killed in the eruption. The six volcanoes of the centre and east are extinct. 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. Seven mountain gorillas from the Rugendo family are murdered. Illegal hunting inside protected areas increased. 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. The name Virunga (Volcanoes), probably of Swahili derivation, has prevailed over the earlier Mufumbiro (That Which Cooks), which is still used in Uganda. The increased human population contributed to deforestation and poaching, and some natural animal migration patterns have been seriously disrupted. Others include Karisimbi - the highest at 4,507m, Bisoke and Sabyinyo in Rwanda, Gahinga and Muhabura in Uganda and Mikemo in DRC. It includes the Rwindi plains and the Ishasha River valley, and is contiguous with Ugandas Queen Elizabeth National Park to the east. The inhabitants inside the national park, whether native or refugees, rely on farming, hunting, fishing, logging and producing charcoal for their livelihoods, all prohibited activities. The Centre is the only one of its kind in the world. There are a couple of different lodges scattered throughout the park, and the choice of activity (gorilla treks, Lava treks up Nyiragongo, game drives and so on) will determine the best place to stay. In contrast to the relatively sedate gorilla trekking, chimp habituation more often than not involves an adrenaline-filled race through the forest to keep up with our arboreal relatives. Lions are carnivores that consume a wide variety of prey, from wildebeest, impala, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and wild hogs to the occasional rhino, hippo, or elephant when food is scarce. They consume mainly fish but have been known to consume carrion, birds, monkeys and even crocodile hatchlings when prey is scarce. The Virunga Mountains in Volcanoes Park. 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. The worlds entire population of critically endangered mountain gorillas live only in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi National Park, which spans parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. The M23 Rebellion erupts in and around the Park. Virunga National Park is located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, within the Albertine 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. Omissions? The range lies between the Lake Kivu and Lake Edward, and is an extension of the Albertine Rift Mountains. It was created in 1925. Virunga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its spectacular biodiversity, with over 2,000 plant species, 706 bird species, and nearly 200 reptile and amphibian species. The ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) is the branch of the Congolese government tasked with the protection and conservation of protected areas in the DRC. The endangered Rwenzori duiker or Rwenzori red duiker is a stocky, small antelope endemic to the alpine zones of the Rwenzori mountains. UNESCO designated the park a World Heritage site in 1979, and it was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1994, because of the growth of permanent settlements within the park and the influx of a great number of refugees fleeing war in neighbouring Rwanda. It is . Established 1991, BEST SAFARI PRICES 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. The mountain range is said to be a part of the Albertine Rift located in the Great Rift Valley. [14] The Virunga Mountains | Congo Safari Tours | Explore Congo Oil exploration threatens the Park, sparking deep concerns from the international community. In Virungas southern sector around Bukima, there are currently ten habituated gorilla families and four solitary males which are also habituated, meaning that they are unafraid of human presence. As anyone who has ever spent time with gorillas will tell you, it is an experience that defies words and borders on sacred. (RSA) +27 (87) 551-8105 The volcanos forested lower slopes are home to a variety of animals, including chimpanzees, monkeys, and bushbuck. Up to 40,000 people entered the park daily in search of firewood and food, and deforested huge areas. This powerful image of the silverback Senkwekwe brought global attention to this horrific event. It is also a vital elephant habitat, as evidenced by the unexpected migration of nearly 600 elephants from neighbouring Queen Elizabeth at the end of 2020. Safaris, discussions & donations that make a real difference in Africa. Every morning, rangers set out at the crack of dawn to track down and monitor their charges, and by the time guests have stirred and downed their first coffee, many families have already been located. And last, but not least, the heart-stopping, utterly gorgeous and mysterious Shelleys Crimsonwing, which has never been photographed other than when netted during biodiversity surveys. All travel bookings booked via Trust my Travel are financially protected by them. Tree heath (Erica arborea), heather and mosses cover humid slopes up to 3,700m (12,100ft) elevation. [3][47] The national park's central sector encompasses about two thirds of Lake Edward up to the international border with Uganda in the east. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). These savannas and woodlands contain many different types of grasses and trees. This savannah-like section offers the best chance to spot the more traditional safari animals, including elephant, lion, and buffalo. [45] Of the population, 12,000 reside in South Africa and 18,000 in East Africa. 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. Which mountain in Uganda has snow? - 2023 Several were observed at the northern shore of Lake Edwards in 1988 for the first time. Alongside this essential conservation work, the Park is committed to supporting local communities. Some biologists even believe that a fifth subspecies, called the mountain or Virunga buffalo, should be recognised. Key Information. The Foundation holds the management contract for the Park, which requires it to restore and manage the national park with ICCN. Poaching intensifies and continues to impact the Park for several years. [2], The northern sector of Virunga National Park is contiguous with Uganda's Semuliki park, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, and the central sector with Queen Elizabeth National Park. The southern sector of Congos Virunga National Park includes those portions of the mountains that are within Congo; the southern flanks of the central and eastern mountains comprise Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda; and Gorilla National Park includes the Ugandan slopes of Mgahinga. Virunga is an English derived word from its origin word "ibirunga" (comes . The Virunga Mountains rise out of densely populated plateaus that are inhabited mostly by Rwandan cultivators and, in certain areas, by cattle herders. Shoebills can be found in the swamps and marshes of Virungas Central Sector near Lake Edward, the Ishasha River, and the Rwindi River. They have significantly shaped the national park's diverse habitats and wildlife. The Virunga Mountains (also known as Mufumbiro[1]) are a chain of volcanoes in East Africa, along the northern border of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Uganda. The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. Elevations, climates, and habitats vary notably in Virunga National Park. Government officials supported exploration activities by Soco International mission members, whereas park management opposed. 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. 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". At 26,338 square kilometres (10,169 sq mi), Rwanda is the world's 149th-largest country. Virunga Mountains - Virunga Volcanoes, Virunga Mountain Ranges Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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