Virunga National Park, located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse national parks. Spanning about 8,090 square kilometers, the park stretches roughly 300 kilometers from north to south along the borders of Rwanda and Uganda. It forms part of the Virunga Massif, which is shared by the three countries and renowned for being home to the endangered mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Trekking Experience
The park’s main attraction is undoubtedly its mountain gorillas. Trekking to see these gentle giants is the highlight for most visitors. To participate, tourists must obtain a gorilla trekking permit, which costs USD 400.
Before trekking, visitors receive a briefing at Bukima Ranger Post, where they are assigned to a specific gorilla family based on their age, fitness level, preferences, and permit availability. Each gorilla family can be visited by a maximum of eight trekkers per day, ensuring minimal disruption to the gorillas’ natural behavior.
Currently, eight habituated gorilla families in Virunga National Park are open for trekking: Kabirizi, Humba, Rugendo, Mapuwa, Lulengo, Munyaga, Nyakamwe, and Bageni.
Major Gorilla Families in Virunga National Park
Kabirizi Gorilla Family
Led by the silverback Kabirizi, this family has 19 members and resides in the Bukima sector. Kabirizi is a powerful yet calm leader currently challenged by another silverback, Masibo. The group was initially known as Ndungutse, named after a previous leader killed during the 1997 conflict. The group was later renamed to honor Kabirizi, a former director of the Congolese Institute of Nature Conservation who died in a road accident.
Humba Gorilla Family
The Humba family, also located in the Bukima sector, was formed in 1998 when the silverback Humba—son of the late Rugendo—split from his father’s group. Humba is known for his calm temperament, which makes this family a favorite among tourists. Once numbering 16 members, the group now has about six members due to previous splits but continues to grow through new births.
Rugendo Gorilla Family
Rugendo is one of the oldest and most historic gorilla families in Virunga. It was habituated in 1989 and currently consists of nine individuals, including three silverbacks. The family resides in the Mikeno sector, between Bukima and Bikenge. The original leader, Rugendo, fathered several other silverbacks—including Mapuwa, Humba, and Senkwenkwe—who went on to form their own families.
Mapuwa Gorilla Family
Located in Jomba near the Bunagana border, the Mapuwa family has around 22 members. Mapuwa, a son of Rugendo, formed this group after breaking away with two adult females and gradually adding more members. The group is now led by silverback Mveyekure.
Lulengo Gorilla Family
Originally known as Mwekura, this group was renamed Lulengo in memory of a park director killed by a landmine. The family consists of nine members and lives in the Jomba area, near the Uganda–Congo border. Lulengo, the dominant silverback, was once part of the Rugabo group, the first habituated gorilla family in Virunga.
Bageni Gorilla Family
The Bageni family is the largest in the park, with 26 members. Silverback Bageni leads the group, though he faces challenges from two other silverbacks—Kitegenda and Karamaharagi. Due to these power struggles, the group may split in the future.
Munyaga Gorilla Family
This group, based in the Bukima sector, was habituated in 2010. It is now led by Gasore, following the leadership of Munyaga and later Mawazo. The family is well-known for once having twin infants, born to Bilal, a former member of Rugendo’s family.
Nyakamwe Gorilla Family
The Nyakamwe family is one of the newest and most peaceful gorilla groups in Virunga. It has 12 members and is led by the dominant silverback Nyakamwe, who maintains harmony within the group.
🐾 Other Attractions in Virunga National Park
Although gorilla trekking is the park’s most popular activity, Virunga National Park offers much more. Visitors can spot golden monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and chimpanzees.
The park also hosts two active volcanoes—Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira—both part of the Virunga volcanic chain. Atop these volcanoes lie stunning crater lakes and panoramic views.
Wildlife enthusiasts can see forest elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes, hippos, and giant forest hogs. Bird lovers will enjoy sightings of species such as the grey-throated barbet and narrow-tailed starling. The park’s vegetation varies dramatically—from savannah grasslands and rainforests to bamboo and Afromontane forests—making it one of the most ecologically diverse regions in Africa.
Why Visit Virunga National Park
A visit to Virunga National Park offers more than gorilla trekking—it’s an immersion into Africa’s natural beauty and resilience. From breathtaking landscapes to rare wildlife encounters, Virunga is a destination that promises both adventure and conservation awareness.
