The mountain gorillas, which can only be found in the Virunga
range of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda needs no
introduction to any adventurous tourist who visits east and central Africa. Apart
from coming to see the Big 5 in Akagera National Park, most tourists also come
to the Virunga to trek the mountain gorillas.
However, the Virunga range is not all about these incredible
primates. There’s still a lot to see and experience here, and your vacation is
going to be most exciting if you can take time to adventure into some of these
attraction sites. Ecotourism also has taken a lead in the Virunga range, and
you will not only see and trek animals here but experience the local people’s
culture.
Virunga Community Programs has compiled to you a list of
other alternative attractions to see and experience.
1. Golden Monkeys
You may also trek so as to see the golden monkeys in Volcanoes
National Park (Rwanda) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda). Golden
monkeys, just like the mountain gorillas, live in groups. And different groups
also have been habituated for trekking. You can contact Virunga Community
Programs about trekking golden monkeys and the cost of permit. But one thing
for sure, trekking golden monkeys is going to be a memorable adventure.
2. The Virunga’s mountains
Tourism in the Virunga massif is not only about wildlife. You
are also going to enjoy hiking the volcanoes. This amazing conservation range
is home to eight volcanic mountains, which two of them are active (Nyamuragira
and Nyiragongo), both found in the DRC at the heart of Virunga National Park.
From instance, according to Volcano Live, an online magazine,
Nyiragongo
volcano is one of the most active in Africa. It is noted for long active
lava lakes which appear in the summit crater. The volcano is located near the
town of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Apart from these, there are also six non-active volcanoes namely
Mikeno, Bisoke, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura.
Tourists may participate in hiking any of the above mentioned
volcanoes whose peaks offer clear and panoramic view of the neighboring
communities. Researchers have indicated that hiking these mountains is a
lifetime experience.
3. The Batwa Pigmies in
Uganda and DRC
You also can take time to visit the Batwas when you want to
learn the rich history of these ancient forest dwellers. They lived in forests
before the introduction of tourism and the national parks were gazetted. They
were later evicted to the boundaries of the forest, and forced to adapt to
lifestyle they were not only used to but also uncomfortable with. The Batwa,
while interacting with them, introduce tourists to their traditional forest
life which include fruit gathering, making fires, stories, songs, poems,
hunting and dances. So as to improve their standard of living, different
activities like the Buniga forest walks and the Batwa cultural trail have been
introduced. The community takes the lead in the activities that earn them a
living they use to sustain their livelihoods and support their families. You
are going to feel like part of the Batwa community when you participate in
these activities.
4. The Dian Fossey Grave
You also may visit the grave of Dian Fossey. Dian Fossey was an
American conservationist and primatologist who is reputed to have begun gorilla
tourism in the Virunga range because of rampant poaching at that time. In 1968,
she came to the area in order to conserve the endangered gorillas. Dian Fossey
made her home in the slopes of Mount Bisoke from where she conducted her
studies and research so as to protect these endangered species. But because of
her work, particularly her campaign against poaching, Dian Fossey was killed
after 18 years. Her grave has become a tourist attraction site.
The Virunga massif should be in your bucket list for your next
east and central Africa adventure. You are not only going to trek the amazing
mountain gorillas but also the golden monkeys while you also have a lifetime
experience seeing other sites and hiking the volcanoes. The Virunga Community
Programs is going to ensure you enjoy your experience to the maximum.
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