8 MOUNTAINS IN VIRUNGA CONSERVATION AREA (VCA)

8 Mountains in Virunga Conservation Area (VCA): Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) is most cases termed as the Virunga Massif consists of 3 national parks shared by Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo and these include Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park and Virunga national park. The Virunga Conservation Area is a home to the endangered mountain gorilla gorillas and the 8 volcanoes which include Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Nyiragongo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Nyamulagira, Mount Mikeno, and Mount Muhavura.

8 Mountains / Volcanoes in Virunga conservation Area/ Virunga Massif

There are 8 volcanoes in Virunga massif of which some are dormant and others are active all harboring lots of fauna and flora species making the entire massif very thrilling. Some of these Volcanoes thrill in Rwanda, others in Uganda and the rest in Democratic Republic of Congo.

  1. Mount Karisimbi

This is the highest mountain within Virunga Massif situated in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Mount Karisimbi stands at an elevation of about 4,507M above the sea level. Mount Karisimbi is one of the dormant volcanos and amongst the tallest mountains in Africa taking over the 11th position.

The hike to summit the top of mount Karisimbi is one of the things one needs to do while on a Rwanda safari. Mount Karisimbi offers lots of adventurous things to encounter during the hike including the endangered Mountain gorillas, Dian Fossey graves and many more without forgetting a stunning view of the neighboring volcanoes within the same virunga Massif.

  1. Mount Mikeno

Mount Mikeno is rugged dormant volcano situated in Virunga national park with in Democratic Republic of Congo and is as well part of the great Virunga Conservation Area. Mount Mikeno stands at an elevation of about 4,437M high above the sea level and it is the 2nd highest in Virunga Conservation Area situated in North of Lake Kivu.

This comes in the 13th position of the tallest mountain in Africa. However, Mount Mikeno is one of the dormant volcanos in Virunga Conservation Area and amongst the least hiked of all the 8 mountains.

  1. Mount Sabyinyo

 Mount Sabyinyo thrills in border with Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo and it starts at the elevation of 3,645M and is one of the adventurous Mountain to hike in Virunga Conservation Area due to its unique shape that looks like the Old man’s worn out tooth.

A hike to Mount Sabyinyo can as well enable you have a stunning view of the 3 different parks including Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda as well as Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo. However, this is one of the hardest volcanoes to hike and it can be hiked through Uganda side since the other sides are hard to ascend.

  1. Mount Muhabura

This is hiked through Ugandan side and is one of the volcanoes that thrills within Uganda – Rwanda border standing at an elevation of 4,127M high above the sea level. Mount Muhabura also termed as Muhavura is such a beautiful volcano to hike in Virunga Conservation Area offering a picturesque of lots of stunning fauna and flora species with a unique peak that is so rewarding and breathe taking for both photo taking and relaxation.

8 Mountains in Virunga Conservation Area (VCA)
8 Mountains in Virunga Conservation Area (VCA)
  1. Mount Gahinga

This stands at about 3,474M above the sea level and is as well one of the mountains that stands within the border between Uganda and Rwanda and is amongst volcanos hiked from Uganda’s Mgahinga gorilla national park. Mount Gahinga has a stunning caldera at the peak which is one of the major reasons for the hike to its summit.

And along the hike, hikers are rewarded with stunning encounters of different fauna species including primates like Gorillas, Golden monkeys and lots of animals that call this park their home.

  1. Mount Bisoke

Mount Bisoke stands at an elevation of about 3,711M above the sea level and is one of the best volcanos to hike from Rwanda side standing closer to Mount Karisimbi which all thrill in the same region within Volcanoes national park. A hike to Mount Bisoke enables one to encounter with lots of wildlife species including some primates, mammals, birds and butterflies among others. Mount Bisoke as well enables hikers to view Lake Ngezi.

  1. Mount Nyiragongo

Mount Nyiragongo is one of the best and one of the most hiked volcano in Virunga Conservation Area standing at an elevation of 3,470M above the sea level. Mount Nyiragongo is the most active volcano amongst all the 8 volcanoes that thrill within Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo whose last eruption occurred in 2004 causing a huge damage to the people and wildlife along the slopes of Mount Nyiragongo.

  1. Mount Nyamulagira

Nyamulagira as well thrills in Democratic Republic of Congo and is amongst the 8 volcanos in Virunga Conservation Area standing at an elevation of about 3,058M above the sea level.  However, Mount Nyamulagira is not as famous as Mount Nyiragongo which is the most hiked Volcano in Virunga national park and in the entire Virunga Massif.

Conclusion,

Since these mountains thrills within 3 stunning parks, it implies that a hike to any of them can easily be combined with a gorillas trekking safari to any destination be it in Uganda, Rwanda or Democratic Republic of Congo.

Let us know when you wish to hike any of these 8 volcanos in Virunga Conservation Area and we shall ensure that you have a perfect safari with us at Achieve Global Safaris. We also organize adventurous tours to any other destination in Easter Africa including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo.

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