Established in 1925, Virunga is Africa's oldest national park, and despite decades of regional conflict, remains one of the continent's most biodiverse protected areas, home to mountain gorillas, active volcanoes and savannah in a single park.
Its survival is a genuine conservation story worth understanding.
Virunga National Park, established in 1925, is Africa's oldest national park, spanning volcanoes, savannah and rainforest, and home to roughly a quarter of the world's remaining mountain gorillas despite decades of regional conflict.
- Established: 1925, making it Africa's oldest national park.
- Biodiversity: volcanoes, savannah and rainforest within one park.
- Mountain gorillas: home to a significant portion of the world's population.
- Rangers: park rangers have faced significant risk protecting it through conflict.
- Status: remains one of the most biodiverse protected areas in Africa.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Established | 1925 |
| Habitats | Volcanoes, savannah, rainforest |
| Notable Wildlife | Mountain gorillas, Nyiragongo's lava lake |
1. A Century Of History
Virunga predates nearly every other protected area in Africa, established in 1925 under Belgian colonial administration and surviving nearly a century of political change since.
2. Surviving Decades Of Conflict
Rangers have protected Virunga through periods of significant regional instability, often at real personal risk, keeping the park's core conservation mission intact.
Read More: Full itinerary: the 8 Day Congo Gorillas & Rainforest Experience3. What Makes It So Biodiverse
Few parks anywhere combine active volcanoes, savannah plains and dense rainforest within a single protected area, supporting an unusually wide range of species as a result.
A Century Old Park, Still Fighting To Endure
Virunga's survival through a century of change is as remarkable as the wildlife it protects, and part of why a visit here carries real weight.
Interested in visiting Virunga? Tell us your dates and we will confirm current conditions and logistics.
Start PlanningFrequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to visit Virunga?
This itinerary only runs when our on the ground partners confirm current conditions support it.
Can I see gorillas and the lava lake in the same trip?
Yes, our Congo itinerary combines gorilla trekking with an optional Nyiragongo overnight hike.
How many mountain gorillas live in Virunga?
A significant portion of the world's mountain gorilla population, shared across the wider Virunga Massif spanning three countries.
