Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park, or more precisely the Chain of the Volcanoes, is an area of 7,800 sqkm, which includes land owned by Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This park is the oldest in Africa. It was founded in 1925 by King Albert of Belgium following a recommendation from one of the first explorers of the region, Captain von Beringe, to protect the area with its mountain gorillas.

Since that time the park’s boundaries were extended and consolidated with a double stone wall that prevents some forest animals such as buffalo from damage to crops bordering the Park and from becoming victims of animal-man conflicts.

Sometimes the five Rwandan peaks volcanic mountains are visible, dominated by Mount Karisimbi which rises 4,507 metres above sea level.