where are the virunga mountains located

These mountains are part of the Great Rift Valley. A conflict between rebel and army forces results in the untimely death of the silverback of the Rugendo family. Harnessed bushbuck (T. scriptus) and giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) are present in the southern sector. However, extraordinary doesnt even begin to cover it. Individual volcanoes bear Rwandan descriptive names, such as Sabinio (Sabinyo; Old Man with Large Teeth) and Muhavura (Landmark, or Guide). [54] The ICCN and Virunga Foundation enter into a long term management agreement. Discounts at Africas best lodges and on our hand-made packages subscribers only, STORIES & DISCUSSIONS Explore one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the world. Most visitors opt to rotate through the different options. Virunga National Park is home to around a third of those gorillas, which reside in the dense forests on the lush slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. [34], These tactics, criticised as "militarization of conservation", has been blamed for further violence and dispossession faced by local indigenous people. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Parc National Des Volcans Guide Great blues are shy and rarely descend to the ground except for drinking and bathing. Geography of Rwanda - Wikipedia On any given day, its shores abound with hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and chimpanzees. It conserves a diversity of habitats that surpasses any other park on the continent and is tucked along the eastern boundary of the Democratic Republic of Congo, protecting the eastward extremity of the Congo Basin. Notable species include the prehistoric-looking shoebills, dashing Rwenzori turacos, mind-blowingly cryptic African green broadbills, and bizarre red-collared mountain babblers whose closest relative forages the slopes of Mt Jupe in Cameroon. [31], Since the early 1990s, the protected area was impacted by political turmoil in the African Great Lakes region. 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. [8] They were subsequently released unharmed. The increased human population contributed to deforestation and poaching, and some natural animal migration patterns have been seriously disrupted. Massive pods of hippo lurk around the shallows of Lake Edward and wallow in the various rivers, and bongo antelope have been spotted in the parks northern reaches. The Parks governance structure is strengthened, and newly appointed staff negotiate access to the gorilla sector despite it being controlled by rebels. [14] The lake lies over 3000 feet (916 meters) above sea level and covers a surface area of 224,083 hectares, making it the 15th largest lake in Africa. [34], Five rangers were killed in August 2017 near Lake Edward in a militia attack. 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". Visitors who brave the climb to the summit of Mt. Show map of Democratic Republic of the Congo, List of mountains peaks in the Virunga Mountain Range, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Virunga Mountains | Location, Description, & Facts", List of countries where Arabic is an official language, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Virunga_Mountains&oldid=1133900401, Mountain ranges of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, World Heritage Sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from August 2018, All articles needing additional references, Wikidata value to be checked for Infobox mountain, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 16 January 2023, at 01:48. It is founded primarily to protect the mountain gorillas living in the forests of the Virunga Massif. This innovative, community focussed approach to conservation is working to reduce the pressures currently faced by the Parks Rangers from armed groups, illegal poaching, and land encroachment. is the branch of the Congolese government tasked with the protection and conservation of protected areas in the DRC. The Virunga chained mountains, also known as the Virunga Massif, offer unique experiences to tourists in Africa. [2] It covers an area of 8,090km2 (3,120sqmi). With a checklist of 706 different species, there are more birds in Virunga than in the entire United States of America. The Virunga Mountains and their associated lava flows extend across the Western Rift Valley. [4] Elevations, climates, and habitats vary notably in Virunga National Park. The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift Mountains, which border the western branch of the East African Rift. 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. Virunga Mountains: The stunning Virunga Mountains are a chain of Volcano Mountains shared between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Some of the Ruwenzori Mountains are permanently snow-capped, and glaciers exist at high elevations. At 26,338 square kilometres (10,169 sq mi), Rwanda is the world's 149th-largest country. The slopes of Mount Mikeno play host to a number of Virungas critically endangered mountain gorilla families. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The Virunga Mountains lie between Lakes Kivu and Edward and extend into Rwanda and Uganda. Virunga National Park is a national park in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [44] Description of the Virunga Mountains Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are a subspecies of the critically endangered eastern gorilla, and there are believed to be just over 1,000 remaining. It reopened in February 2019. national park, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Virunga Mountains are 8 famously known mountain ranges that lie on the northern border of Rwanda and Congo and south western part of Uganda. March to mid May and September to November are the main rainy seasons. The Park is founded as Parc Albert, the first national park to be established on the African continent. These ranges consist of eight major volcanoes in Uganda, Congo with five of them located in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. The great blue turaco is the largest member of the turaco family. The word Virunga is got from a local word "Ibirunga* the Kinyarwanda word for "mountains". [36] Since beginning of the armed conflict, armed groups killed 175 park rangers until April 2018. The 8 Virunga Volcano Mountains The Virunga Mountains that mark the southern sector of the park consist of eight major volcanoes, most of which are dormant. This picturesque part of the park adjoins the Rwenzori Mountains and Semuliki National Parks in neighbouring Uganda. Virunga staff are caught in the fighting, but maintain their presence and eventually negotiate Park access to protect the mountain gorillas. 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. Habituation is a critical component of gorilla conservation, as it allows for detailed research to be undertaken on the species. They studied and collected zoological specimens of wildlife for the Muse Royal d'Histoire Naturelle de Belgique;[20][21] explored the ethnic groups in this area;[22] studied volcanic activity,[23] and fossils. Omissions? Virunga Mountains | Location, Description, & Facts In 2007, the mass killing of the Rugendo family of gorillas catapulted the parks plight onto the world stage, and the global attention spurned increased funding and conservation measures. Only one mountain of the 8 is an active volcano that is Mount Nyiragongo found in DRCongo. Its northern sector encompasses part of the Semliki River basin, as well as savanna and montane forest of the Albertine Rift. The main crater of Nyiragongo is about three-quarters of a mile (1.2 km) across and contains a liquid lava pool. The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. To comment on this story: Download our app here - it's a troll-free safe place . Conservation protects the mountains alpine vegetation, as well as wildlife that includes the golden monkey and the mountain gorilla. This sight is at its most impressive at night, so most opt to camp on the rim of the crater. 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). Oil exploration by an English company only added to threats facing the already beleaguered park. Described by the Virunga park authorities as the Congos real treasure (rather than oil or metals), there are believed to be over 300 of these precious primates within the park. As a consequence, the park remained closed to visitors from June 2018[38] until February 2019. Hippopotamuses, rare mountain gorillas, okapis, antelope, warthogs, and pelicans all live in Virunga as well. Fortunately, stalwart sightseers can rest assured that the volcanos moods are carefully monitored lest it decides to let loose its fury of molten lava. Lake Edward is a vital resource for local fishermen. Virunga National Park, DRC [39], In April 2020 at least 12 park rangers were killed by militia men attacking a civilian convoy. The rapid population surge causes environmental damage, and Virungas Rangers struggle to protect the forests. The Virunga Mountains is located in the East Africa with a chain of volcanoes that are within the borders of the countries Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.The mountain range is said to be a part of the Albertine Rift located in the Great Rift Valley. The 2002 Nyiragongo eruption destroyed much of the nearby city of Goma, Congo, leaving thousands homeless. Virunga Mountains in Congo were formed as a result of volcanic activity from the past. Lake Rutenzige is fed by several large rivers, the Rutshuru River being one, and drains to the north through the Semliki River into Lake Albert. [2], In 1996, the national park was listed as a Ramsar site of international importance. [46] 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. Campaigners trying to create public awareness are threatened and intimidated on social media. The range runs east-west, perpendicular to the rift valley in which lie Lakes Kivu and Edward. The southern sector borders Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. The park is periodically closed when they feel that the situation on the ground is such that security cannot be guaranteed. 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. The word Virunga is and English word derived from Kinyarwanda word "Ibirunga" to meat "Mountains" This helps to increase understanding of mountain gorilla behaviour, as well as allowing veterinary teams to intervene if gorillas are injured or showing signs of ill health. Furthermore, a substantial number of these are Albertine Rift and Congolese endemics. Okapis are shy and solitary animals that resemble zebras but are more closely related to the giraffe and are endemic to the DRC. The human population there, which was negligible when the park was established, increased considerably during the late 20th century. Virunga Mountains is located in the East Africa with a chain of volcanoes that are within the borders of the countries Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. Oil exploration threatens the Park, sparking deep concerns from the international community. [34], Efforts at nature conservation have had contradictory effects, for example when farms were destroyed within Kibirizi, and soldiers and park guards were sent in to patrol, people migrated even further within the park to land controlled by the FDLR, where they could rent small plots of land. Farther north are the Rutshuru Falls and the Mai ya Moto sulfur springs. Satellite images showed hotspots at Nyamuragira volcano in early 2017, indicating ongoing eruptions. Of the population, 12,000 reside in South Africa and 18,000 in East Africa. VN QUC GIA CONGO Ting anh l g - trong Ting anh Dch Mount Nyiragongo is 3,470 meters, Mount Nyamuragira is 3,058 meters and Mount Mikeno is 4,437 meters. Albertine Rift - Wikipedia The grey crowned crane can be found in the wetlands, open grasslands, savannas, and cultivated areas and tropical lowland forests near the Ishasha River and Rwindi River. Virunga National Park is a national park in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.It was created in 1925. Following international protests, the company stopped exploring activities and consented to refrain from starting similar operations in the vicinity of World Heritage sites. Modern access to the western volcanoes is from Goma and Gisenyi (Rwanda); the remaining mountains are located within the circuit of roads connecting Goma and Rutshuru (Congo), Kisoro (Uganda), and Ruhengeri and Gisenyi (Rwanda). Created in 1925, it has an area of some 3,050 square miles (7,900 square km) and contains a vast diversity of habitats. Nyiragongos summit rim is largely devoid of vegetation and is sometimes dusted with snow. Here dedicated keepers have raised the young survivors of anthropogenic cruelty (poaching and snaring), as well as rehabilitating eastern lowland gorillas. Many lesser cones flank the major volcanoes. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. These savannas and woodlands contain many different types of grasses and trees. Rwanda The great volcanoes of this range, clothed in cloud forests, include the dormant Mikeno, Karisimbi, Visoke, and Sabinio (Sabinyo), as well as the active Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira. [55] The area is considered a potential lion (Panthera leo) stronghold, if poaching is curbed and prey species recover. 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. The connection between man and gorilla can be further explored at the Senkwekwe Centre, the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. There are four recognised subspecies of the African buffalo in Africa and two of these the Cape and forest are found in Virunga. Ten years later in 1979, Virunga was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [26] Park personnel are given paramilitary training and high-quality weaponry, and operate together with the military and state security services. Hippo numbers increase to over 2000 for the first time in 20 years. However, another creature is arguably Virungas (and Africas) most peculiar offering. Here dedicated keepers have raised the young survivors of anthropogenic cruelty (poaching and snaring), as well as rehabilitating eastern lowland gorillas. The Virunga Mountains (Virunga massif/Virunga ranges) is a block of Chain Mountains found in East - central Africa. Sabyinyo volcano, located on the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo in the Virunga Mountains, is simply incredible! 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. In addition to buffalo, the plains support several ungulates, including topi, Ugandan kob, waterbuck, warthog, and red river and giant forest hog. Regional conflict spills over and an estimated 5.6 million Congolese die from the fighting. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [33], In 2005, the European Commission (EC) recommended a public-private partnership between the country's government and the British non-governmental organisation African Conservation Fund. Some biologists even believe that a fifth subspecies, called the mountain or Virunga buffalo, should be recognised. (For more on the conservation and social developments by the Virunga Alliance. The great volcanoes of this range, clothed in cloud forests, include the dormant Mikeno, Karisimbi, Visoke, and Sabinio (Sabinyo), as well as the active Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 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Government officials supported exploration activities by Soco International mission members, whereas park management opposed.
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