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where are the virunga mountains located

    where are the virunga mountains located

    It includes the Rwindi plains and the Ishasha River valley, and is contiguous with Ugandas Queen Elizabeth National Park to the east. Virunga is the continents most biologically diverse protected area and a national park embarking on an ambitious development programme known as the Virunga Alliance. [25], Land laws were reformed in the 1960s after Belgian Congo became independent as the Republic of the Congo, and the land declared property of the state, much to the disadvantage of local people. Later in the Pleistocene (about 900,000 to 130,000 years ago), Karisimbi, Visoke, Mgahinga, and Muhavura appeared, all but Karisimbi possessing a crater summit. The word Virunga is and English word derived from Kinyarwanda word "Ibirunga" to meat "Mountains" In 1861 the British explorer John Hanning Speke saw the Virunga Mountains from a distance; in 1876 the British explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley obtained a clear though distant view of the three eastern volcanoes; and Count Adolf von Gtzen, a German, explored the two western volcanoes in 1894. The Virunga mountains are the most hike in DR Congo and they include Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira which are active volcanoes, and lastly Mount Mikeno which is a dormant volcano. However, another creature is arguably Virungas (and Africas) most peculiar offering. Habituation is a critical component of gorilla conservation, as it allows for detailed research to be undertaken on the species. Because of the high silica content of its lava, Nyiragongos lava flows are extremely fluid. Situated in the center of the Albertine Rift, between Uganda and Rwanda, Virungas 7,800 square kilometers (3,000 square miles) stretches from the Virunga Massif in the south, to the Rwenzori Mountains in the north. The Parks 3,000 square miles (7,800 square kilometers) is comprised of four sectors northern, central, southern and lake sector each with an unrivaled diversity of landscapes and ecosystems. Campaigners trying to create public awareness are threatened and intimidated on social media. Description of the Virunga Mountains [47] The oldest mountain is Mount Sabyinyo, which rises 3,634 metres (11,923ft) above sea level. Here, Virunga reaches Lake Kivu and borders Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The ICCN and Virunga Foundation enter into a long term management agreement. Corrections? The Parks governance structure is strengthened, and newly appointed staff negotiate access to the gorilla sector despite it being controlled by rebels. Over the past 20 years, Virunga has seen many periods of conflict, often beginning in or around the Park. (For more on the conservation and social developments by the Virunga Alliance, have a look at their website.). (RSA) +27 (87) 551-8105 The six volcanoes of the centre and east are extinct. Getting to the summit of these mountains takes an average of 5 . Nyiragongo has erupted over thirty times since the end of the 19. century. Virunga National Park, formerly Albert National Park, park in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa). Photo Galleries, Photographer of the Year, TRAVEL & CONSERVATION COMPANY Many lesser cones flank the major volcanoes. (UK) +44 (23) 9387-7464 Hippo numbers increase to over 2000 for the first time in 20 years. [19], In 1934, the Institut des Parcs Nationaux du Congo Belge was founded as the governing body for national parks in the Belgian Congo. [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. Okapis are endangered, and there are probably only a few thousand remaining. In the national park's northern sector, African leopard (P. pardus pardus), marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus), giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea), tree pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata), Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel (Anomalurus derbianus), Boehm's bush squirrel (Paraxerus boehmi), western tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis), Emin's pouched rat (Cricetomys emini) and checkered elephant shrew (Rhynchocyon cirnei) were recorded during surveys in 2008. 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. The oldest national park in Africa, Virunga National Park covers nearly 8,000km2 (800,000 hectares) an area roughly three times the size of Luxembourg. Fortunately, stalwart sightseers can rest assured that the volcanos moods are carefully monitored lest it decides to let loose its fury of molten lava. Over 90% of refugees settle within walking distance of Park borders. [27][28][29][30], By 2016, four hydropower dams were constructed that provide electricity to small businesses and benefit more than 200,000 rural people. Its northern sector encompasses part of the Semliki River basin, as well as savanna and montane forest of the Albertine Rift. The Virunga Mountains, located in the northwest part of Rwanda, contain the country's highest peak, Karisimbi, which reaches nearly 15,000 feet. However, wet seasons are a good option for those with a pair of solid, waterproof boots looking to take advantage of the low-season discounts. The orphanage is named for a silverback killed in a devastating poaching incident in 2007 that claimed the lives of seven members of the Rugendo family. [37] In May 2018, a ranger was killed when defending two tourists who were kidnapped. [49] All of the topi (Damaliscus lunatus jimela) cluster to the south of Lake Edward in the Ishasha Flats region, and regularly cross the border into Uganda. The human population there, which was negligible when the park was established, increased considerably during the late 20th century. 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. From north to south it extends approximately 300km (190mi), largely along the international borders with Uganda and Rwanda in the east. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Virunga-Mountains, Virunga Mountains - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Virunga Mountains - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Discounts at Africas best lodges and on our hand-made packages subscribers only, STORIES & DISCUSSIONS It was the first national park to be established on the continent of Africa, primarily to protect the mountain gorillas living in the forests of the Virunga Massif. The okapi is the closest known relative to the giraffe and looks very much as though someone crossed a zebra, antelope, and giraffe. [10][11] To improve the country's economic situation the government undermined that very protection by auctioning oil exploration blocks inside the park by the end of July 2022. The Virunga Mountains also popularly known as the Virunga Volcanoes range are a chain of eight volcanoes created by violent eruptions in the Albertine Rift region. [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. Virunga is an English derived word from its origin word "ibirunga" (comes . [31], Since the early 1990s, the protected area was impacted by political turmoil in the African Great Lakes region. 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. Fortunately, stalwart sightseers can rest assured that the volcanos moods are carefully monitored lest it decides to let loose its fury of molten lava. Several were observed at the northern shore of Lake Edwards in 1988 for the first time. The Rwenzori Mountains National Park covers nearly 100,000 ha in western Uganda and comprises the main part of the Rwenzori mountain chain, which includes Africa's third highest peak (Mount Margherita: 5,109 m). It is also a vital elephant habitat, as evidenced by the unexpected migration of, nearly 600 elephants from neighbouring Queen Elizabeth. The connection between man and gorilla can be further explored at the Senkwekwe Centre, the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. The Virunga chained mountains, also known as the Virunga Massif, offer unique experiences to tourists in Africa. 400,000 people are evacuated and 147 are killed in the eruption. Of these, nine gorilla families have been carefully habituated over the last thirty years. Illegal hunting inside protected areas increased. The main crater of Nyiragongo is about three-quarters of a mile (1.2 km) across and contains a liquid lava pool. Two active volcanoes are located in the park, Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira. Park officials are in the process of habituating the chimpanzees, and accompanying the habituation teams is another of the activities on offer in the park. There are a couple of different lodges scattered throughout the park, and the choice of activity (gorilla treks, Lava treks up Nyiragongo, game drives and so on) will determine the best place to stay. 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. [5] The park is periodically closed when they feel that the situation on the ground is such that security cannot be guaranteed. [8] They were subsequently released unharmed. Several armed rebel groups operate in the park, including Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and National Congress for the Defence of the People (FDLR). 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. Explore one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the world. There are an estimated 30,000 individuals left in the wild. They eat mostly fruit, but also feed on buds, shoots, leaves, flowers, and insects. The most visited section is the southern sector, dominated by dense montane forests home to a vital population of Africas remaining mountain gorillas. African fish eagles are birds of prey that live in the waterways of sub-Saharan Africa. [32] Virunga owes its existence, at least in part, to the presence of the endangered (, . The rapid population surge causes environmental damage, and Virungas Rangers struggle to protect the forests. March to mid May and September to November are the main rainy seasons. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 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. [45], The climate in the Albertine Rift is influenced by the movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and the El NioSouthern Oscillation. It is also a vital elephant habitat, as evidenced by the unexpected migration of nearly 600 elephants from neighbouring Queen Elizabeth at the end of 2020. 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. Surrounded by the mountains and home to Lake Edward, this large expanse of grassland and wooded savanna plays host to the Parks highest concentrations of elephants, buffalos and warthogs. Some of the Ruwenzori Mountains are permanently snow-capped, and glaciers exist at high elevations. The first maps resulted from the major expedition of Adolf Friedrich, duke of Mecklenburg, which was undertaken in 190708. The 2008 partnership between the Congolese National Parks Authority (ICCN) and the Virunga Foundation marked a turning point in the parks history. Conservation protects the mountains alpine vegetation, as well as wildlife that includes the golden monkey and the mountain gorilla. The park is also home to a diverse array of fauna and flora, including over 200 mammal species and a third of the worlds remaining mountain gorillas. The endangered Rwenzori duiker or Rwenzori red duiker is a stocky, small antelope endemic to the alpine zones of the Rwenzori mountains. [2], In 2011, the British company Soco International was granted a concession for extracting crude oil in the surroundings of and in large parts of the national park. The name Virunga comes from the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means volcanoes. These mountains are part of the Great Rift Valley. Mass killings of nearly 400 hippos are orchestrated by local militia who are suspected of eating and selling the meat and removing teeth for ivory. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Virunga has the highest number of amphibian species in the Albertine Rift, an area which encompasses parts of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. All travel bookings booked via Trust my Travel are financially protected by them. During the 2002 eruption, some of Nyiragongos lava flows were clocked at 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) and reached all the way to Lake Kivu. In the course of increasing tensions, the park's chief warden, Emmanuel de Mrode, was assailed in April 2014. The Virunga Mountains and their associated lava flows extend across the Western Rift Valley. Tourism facilities were developed and improved, and a trickle of intrepid visitors gradually turned into a steady stream of people looking to experience one of Africas most incredible destinations. A narrow corridor of 35km (1.93.1mi) width along the lake's western bank connects the northern and southern sectors of the national park. HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC: We're the Africa Geographic editorial team a diverse set of writers, editors, designers and social media natives, all united by our passion for this addictive continent. It is headed by Andr Bauma, a man who has become almost as famous as his gorilla charges. They are solitary creatures who remain isolated except when threatened or breeding. Satellite images showed hotspots at Nyamuragira volcano in early 2017, indicating ongoing eruptions. Nyiragongos summit rim is largely devoid of vegetation and is sometimes dusted with snow. In the wake of serious security issues, including the murder of park rangers and the kidnapping of tourists, park management announced in June 2018 that the park would be closed to tourists until at least the end of the year. Every family comes with its dynamics, characters and stories, and the rangers have kept track of it all you can read more about their histories and present breakdown here. Oil exploration by an English company only added to threats facing the already beleaguered park. For decades, the people of the DRC have struggled through war and instability that has killed millions of people. The 300km-long park is divided into three primary sectors: northern, central, and southern, which together combine to protect an astonishing array of landscapes from alpine vegetation and montane forests to lava plains and wetlands. This variation is determined by a number of factors such as the soil type, soil depth, animals and invertebrates in the area, and minerals within the soil. 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. Mount Karisimbi is the highest volcano at 4,507 metres (14,787ft). 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". The Virunga Foundation is a UK-based charity founded in 2005, created to support the protection of the flora and fauna of the Park, and to generate benefits for the local communities that live around the national park. The southern sector of Congos Virunga National Park includes those portions of the mountains that are within Congo; the southern flanks of the central and eastern mountains comprise Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda; and Gorilla National Park includes the Ugandan slopes of Mgahinga. The mountain range consists of eight major volcanoes. These ranges consist of eight major volcanoes in Uganda, Congo with five of them located in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. The mountain range is said to be a part of the Albertine Rift located in the Great Rift Valley. In elevation, it ranges from 680m (2,230ft) in the Semliki River valley to 5,109m (16,762ft) in the Rwenzori Mountains. It is an extraordinary park steeped in a history of tragedy and heroism: primordial and viscerally wild. Government officials supported exploration activities by Soco International mission members, whereas park management opposed. [34], Five rangers were killed in August 2017 near Lake Edward in a militia attack. The vegetation above 2,600m (8,500ft) is subalpine with foremost African redwood (Hagenia abyssinica) growing up to 3,000m (9,800ft). The region's glaciers, waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa's most beautiful alpine areas. It includes a lush landscape that ranges from the Semliki River Valley to the Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Nyiragongo, and Nyamuragira. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift Mountains, which border the western branch of the East African Rift. Following international protests, the company stopped exploring activities and consented to refrain from starting similar operations in the vicinity of World Heritage sites. Shoebills are tall, stork-like birds with wing spans that can reach over 8 feet (2.4 meters). It spans across the three countries; via the North West Rwanda covering Volcanoes National Park, south western Uganda encompassing Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and eastern Congo forming part of Virunga National Park. As anyone who has ever spent time with gorillas will tell you, it is an experience that defies words and borders on sacred. The northern sector receives a monthly mean precipitation of up to 220mm (8.7in), and the southern sector of up to 160mm (6.3in). Virunga Mountains: The stunning Virunga Mountains are a chain of Volcano Mountains shared between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Naturally, the park authorities are aware of this, and they take the safety of their guests extremely seriously. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. [7] About 850,000 refugees lived around the national park in 1994. Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano that features the worlds largest lava lake at 700 feet (213 meters) across and reaches 11,380 feet (3,470 meters) in height. Up to 40,000 people entered the park daily in search of firewood and food, and deforested huge areas. Carefully selected conservation projects one-stop, seamless, transparent donations APP subscribers only. There are melodic Kivu ground thrushes, mythical Grauers cuckooshrikes and yellow-crested helmetshrikes, mysterious Albertine owlets and ghostly Congo Bay owls, dazzling purple-breasted and Rockefeller sunbirds, raucous white-headed woodhoopoes, dainty Rwenzori batises, data deficient and endangered Itombwe nightjars, Prigogines greenbuls, Kungwe apalises, Grauers swamp warbler and golden-naped weavers.

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