Virunga National Park
Nord-kivu
17 April 2024
Covering an area of 790,000 ha, Virunga Park boasts an incomparable diversity of habitats, ranging from swamps and steppes to the eternal snows of the Rwenzori, at an altitude of over 5,000 m, via lava plains and savannahs on the slopes of volcanoes. Some 20,000 hippos frequent its rivers, the mountain gorilla finds refuge here, and birds from Siberia spend the winter here.
Brief summary
Virunga National Park is distinguished by its chain of active volcanoes and a rich diversity of habitats that surpasses that of any other African Park, with its range of steppes, savannahs and lava plains, swamps, lowlands and Afromontane forest belts, to its unique Afro-alpine vegetation and the ice fields of the Rwenzori Mountains, whose peaks rise to over 5,000m. The site includes the spectacular Rwenzori and Virunga massifs, home to Africa's two most active volcanoes. The great diversity of habitats has given rise to exceptional biodiversity, including endemic species and rare, globally threatened species such as the mountain gorilla.
Integrity
The park is characterized by a mosaic of extraordinary habitats covering 790,000 ha. The property is clearly delimited by the 1954 ordinance. Its riches are well protected, despite the economic and demographic challenges on its periphery.
The park contains two highly important ecological corridors linking the different sectors: the Muaro corridor links the Mikeno sector to the Nyamulagira sector, while the west coast connects the northern sector to the central sector of the Virunga massif. The presence of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a contiguous protected area in Uganda, also constitutes a terrestrial ecological corridor linking the central and northern sectors. Finally, Lake Edouard is an important aquatic corridor.
