Is Virunga National Park Safe : Virunga national park is among the most visited national parks in the democratic republic of Congo and its famous for its endangered mountain gorillas and the active volcanoes mount Nyamuragira and mount Nyiragongo. The park has attracted a number of tourists who are interested in carrying out gorilla trekking in Congo to visit the park which is cheaper than gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. The mountain gorilla families are found on the Virunga Mountains that is Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura, Mount Nyiragongo, Mount Nyamurangira and Mount Mikeno that offer a number of amazing attractions and views at various slopes of the mountains.
With the various attractions and activities within the park, it has attracted and caught the attention of tourists globally who have interests of visiting the country to carry out different activities such as gorilla trekking, boat safaris, hiking the virunga mountains, visiting the Senkwenkwe gorilla orphanage among others.
SAFETY OF VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK
In regards to the safety, the country has gone through years of prolonged wars but the park is free from all insecurities regarding the warfare of the country. Virunga national park puts into account the safety of its tourists by ensuring they have the best time while in the country.
The national park was closed in 2018 May due to the temporary kidnapping of the two British tourists who had come to visit the park. However it should be noted that since February of 2019, the national park was reopened due to the increased security measures that were put in place to avoid any future occurrence of the incidents that happened in the past. There has been recruitment of more security personnel, rangers and military to ensure that the park is safe for tourists who would be interested in visiting it.
SAFETY OF THE ACTIVITIES IN VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK
Within virunga national park, there are a number of activities that can be participated such as gorilla trekking, visiting the senkwekwe gorilla sanctuary, mount Nyiragongo hike among others. Virunga national park activities are safe for anyone interested in carrying them out because of the security personnel that accompany you in order for you to have a safe activity. The park rangers and military escort the tourists so as to protect them as well as their property during the various activities that have to be carried out. Within the park, you will feel safe because of the improved security measures that are exercised.
At the beginning of any activity within the park, tourists are first briefed on what to expect during the activity, the safety precautions for example the tourists should follow the lead of the guide and a ranger who is always in front of them as well as one who is behind in order to protect them. The park ranger and the military personnel are always armed to ensure that incase of any emergency within the park, they are always ready to protect the tourists at any cost.
WHAT IS THE SAFEST ROUTE TO GET TO VIRUNGA
Since the virunga national park is security conscious, you should always book in advance for them to make necessary preparations for you. The safest route to access virunga national park is through Goma town where you will be welcomed by the park representatives, a guide who is escorted by a military convoy to ensure that you are safe till you reach the park.
