Virunga massif: gorillas, golden monkey and hiking

Virunga massif formerly known as Albert National Park was found king albert the first, a former king of Belgium. It is the oldest park in Africa as it was formed in 1925 purposely to protect the endangered mountain gorillas. The park was the fast place where gorillas were identified and for the purpose of their reservation, the king of Belgium who were the colonial master of DRC decided to create a protected area for these unique creatures.

Due to the struggle for supremacy between the three-colonial master of these three neighboring countries of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Uganda was colonized by Britain; Rwanda was colonized French while DR Congo was colonized by Belgians. Due to the desire for all these three colonial masters to share on this hot cake, they had to agree on how these three countries had to have a geographical share of the Virunga.

As a result of division, Uganda has 3 of the 8 volcanoes of Virunga massif, Rwanda has 5 of the 8 volcanoes while DR Congo has while Congo has got 4 of these volcanoes include the 2 which are still active.

Volcanoes in Virunga massif

Virunga massif is a chain of Volcanoes in 3 countries, the southwestern part of Uganda which covers Mgahinga national park, Eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo covering Virunga national park and Northwestern part of Rwanda covering Volcanoes national park. The name Virunga is an English version of Kinyarwanda word Ibirunga which means volcanoes.

The Virunga massif is a home of the beautiful endangered mt gorillas and funky golden monkeys. Virunga massif is a unique tourist attraction in Africa majorly being a branch of the Albertine rift valley mountain which boarders the western branch of the East African rift valley, and they are located between lake Edward and Lake Kivu. The mountain range consists of 8 major volcanoes like two of which are still very active. The active volcanoes include Mt Nyiragongo, Mt Nyamuragira

The other 6 volcanoes are dormant, and they include: Mt Sabyinyo, Mt Mikeno, Mt Karisimbi, Mt Bisoke, with the highest peak of mt Muhabura and mt Gahinga which is distributed across Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

The article highlights the different volcanic mountains of Virunga massif. It furthers talk about the activities you can do while in this great area of the east Africa rift valley:

Mt Muhabura (Uganda & Rwanda)

It is located at the boarder of Rwanda and Uganda being the third highest mountain in Virunga. Muhabura Volcanic mountains have steep slopes and hiking on it is very hard, but you can be able to see the other volcanic mountains found in Virunga. The Bulera and Ruhondo twin lakes and the view of the crater. While hiking to the summit of the mountain, you might be lucky and encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

Mt Bisoke (DR Congo & Rwanda)

Mt Bisoke is well known for its crater at its summit and is characterized by montane forest and bamboo forest with the most breathtaking views. The volcano is on Rwanda-Congo boarder with its summit on Rwanda side near lake Kivu. The latest eruption on the volcano resulted into formation of to volcanic cones

Mt Gahinga (Uganda & Rwanda)

Gahinga is a Rwanda local word meaning a pile of stones, majorly its one of the favorites with beauty of the Virunga Mountain characterized with bamboo forest and afro montane forests. It is the smallest amongst the 3 volcanoes. Other two being Sabinyo and Muhabura. well known for its volcanic caves that can be seen while trekking.it is located on Uganda-Rwanda borders

Mt Sabyinyo (Rwanda & Uganda)

Mt Sabyinyo is serrated at the top resembling an old man’s teeth. The name derived from a local word Sabyinyo meaning old man’s teeth. The mountain is shared by Rwanda, Uganda and Congo with exclusive spectacular stunning views from its summit. It can be climbed from the Ugandan side because the slides of Congo and Rwanda are steep. The volcano is the oldest volcano in the range. It is an intersection of the 3 parks that makes up this range. The parks include Mgahinga national park of Uganda, volcanoes national park of Rwanda and Virunga national park of DR Congo.

Mt Mikeno (DR Congo)

Mt Mikeno is situated in Congo with in Virunga national park being the 2nd highest of the Virunga ranges and the 13th tallest in the African countries. It is one of the toughest mountains to climb among the Virunga massifs. Mikeno means poor and it was named so because of its harsh slopes. The volcano is famous for the mountain gorillas that live on the mountain.

Mt Nyiragongo (DR Congo)

This is one of the most famous of the Virunga mountains that erupted 35 times since 1982 making it one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It last erupted in 2002 causing damage and destructions as lava flowed into the nearby town of Goma. It is famous for the lava lake that is estimated to be the biggest lava lake in the world. The volcano is located next to lake Kivu near Rwanda border

Mt Karisimbi (Rwanda & DR Congo)

Mt Karisimbi is the highest of the Virunga massif where the famous primatologist Dian Fossey constructed her institute, Karisoke majorly for the study of gorillas. The mountain provides exclusive stunning views of Mt Nyiragongo at its summit and it takes 2 days to hike mt Karisimbi. It is the 11th highest peak on African continent. It got its name from Kinyarwanda word ‘amasimbi’ which means snow. The snow is usually seen at the summit of the volcano during the dry season between June and July.

Mt Nyamuragira (DR Congo)

This is the most active volcanoes in the world with its last eruption that took place in November 2011. It is said to have erupted 40 times since 1885 known to have an active lava lake on its summit which appeared in 2014 for the 1st time in 50 years. The best time for hiking is during the dry season most especially in the months of December to February and June to September. There is no human settlement near the lake, but it is feared that the eruption might threaten the chimpanzees near the volcano.

Activities to do in Virunga massif range

Mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga massif

Virunga massif is home to the endangered mountain gorillas with of the four places where these great apes are found all located within this range in three different countries. Mountain gorillas are found at volcanoes national park of Rwanda, Mgahinga national park of Uganda and Virunga national park of DR Congo.

Another place where you can see gorilla which is not part of Virunga range is Bwindi impenetrable national park of Uganda. However, close to 50 percent of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world can be found in the region of Albertine rift valley.

Mountain hiking in Virunga massif

The massif is chain of 8 volcano mountains distributed between the 3 countries of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. This makes it a perfect place for both armatures and senior hikers with volcanoes like sabinyo that can be hiked within few hours. There are also other volcanoes that can take like mount Karisimbi that can be hiked within two days. Karisimbi is the 11th high peak all over Africa. Therefore, hiking it is not for the weak.

Golden monkey trekking

Another popular activity in Virunga massif range is the trekking of another endangered species in golden monkey. Golden monkeys find there home on lower altitude of these mountain in bamboo covered places. Therefore, trekking them is not as challenging as trekking mountain gorillas that prefer to live on higher altitudes. Golden monkey can be trekked from Mgahinga national park of Uganda or volcanoes national park of Rwanda.

The best time to visit the Virunga massif range

Virunga mountains can be visited through out the year. However, for people interested in hiking, dry season between June and September and December to February is highly recommended as the trails are less slippery and more passable.

For gorilla and golden monkey, still the dry season is recommended but even if you wish to gorilla or golden monkey trekking during the wet season you will find the experience enjoyable and the demand for permit and accommodation tends to lower down which can help you to access services on the discount.

Most popular packages in Virunga Massif

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of East Africa as we invite you to explore the enchanting landscapes, vibrant cultures, and rich biodiversity of Rwanda and Tanzania. This meticulously crafted 10-day itinerary promises an immersive experience, seamlessly blending the awe-inspiring encounters with Rwanda’s majestic gorillas and golden monkeys with the boundless wonders of Tanzania’s iconic Serengeti National Park.

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This 10 Days Prime Rwanda Safari takes you for the best Highlights of the land of a thousand hills. Go for a Mountain Gorilla Trekking Tour in Volcanoes National Park, Wildlife viewing in Akagera National Park & Primates watching in Nyungwe Forest National Park. The 10 Days Prime Rwanda Safari takes you to various safari destinations in Uganda i.e; Nyungwe Forest National park, Lake Kivu and Volcanoes National Park

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This 5 Days Best of Rwanda Primate Safari will bring you to the awe-inspiring primate destinations in this land of a thousand hills. It will take you to Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga ranges where you will encounter both the magnificent, huge, gentle, and endangered mountain gorillas and the beautiful golden monkeys that are endemic to the Virunga ranges. You will then be transferred Nyungwe Forest National Park

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