Virunga Conservation Area

Book your Virunga Conservation Area safari with Gorilla Hurly Burly and explore three national parks in one region. The Virunga Conservation Area spans the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and includes Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park.

This area is the main home of the endangered mountain gorilla and holds eight volcanic mountains, including Mount Bisoke, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Muhabura, Mount Mikeno, and Mount Nyiragongo. It also includes primate trekking, the history of Dian Fossey, and communities living near the forest.

Gorilla Trekking in the Virunga Conservation Area

Gorilla trekking is the top activity in the Virunga Conservation Area, with about 20 gorilla families visited each day. Treks start in the morning and last 3 to 5 hours depending on the gorillas’ location. Once found, visitors get one hour with the gorilla family.

The Virunga Conservation Area holds around 600 gorillas, a number that shifts with new births and deaths. Gorilla families are split across the three parks: one in Mgahinga National Park, eight in Virunga National Park, and eleven in Volcanoes National Park.

Golden Monkey Trekking

Golden monkeys live in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. These monkeys stay in bamboo forests, and visitors spend one hour with them during the trek. Golden monkeys live in groups of 20 to 60 and stand out for the golden patches on their backs.

Mountain Hiking in the Virunga Conservation Area

The Virunga Conservation Area has eight volcanic mountains, including two active ones, Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira. Mount Karisimbi is the highest at 4,507 meters above sea level.

You can hike all eight mountains for views of the surrounding land and chances to see primates and birds along the trail. Mount Sabyinyo offers views across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Mount Nyiragongo holds the world’s largest permanent lava lake.

Bird Watching

The Virunga Conservation Area holds over 300 bird species, visible during birdwatching tours in any of the three parks. Species found here include the Grey-capped Warbler, Waxbill, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Firefinch, White-naped Raven, Black Kite, and Rwenzori Turaco. Many of these birds are Rift Valley endemics, found in bamboo forests, grasslands, and alpine zones.

Batwa Trail Experience

The Batwa Trail in Mgahinga National Park lets you learn about the lifestyle of the Batwa pygmies who once lived in the forest. With a park ranger and a Batwa guide, you learn about Batwa history, herbal medicine, hunting methods, and the caves along the trail.

Dian Fossey Research Center

This research center sits between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke. Dian Fossey, a researcher and primatologist, founded the center in the early 1980s to protect mountain gorillas from extinction. At the time, gorillas faced poaching for sale, cultural practices, and bushmeat. Dian Fossey was killed in 1985 at her home in the Karisoke area and is buried next to the graves of her gorillas.

The hike to the research center takes 3 to 5 hours and gives you an educational look at gorilla conservation history.

Book your Virunga Conservation Area safari with Gorilla Hurly Burly today. Contact our team to check gorilla and golden monkey trekking permit availability.