The Virunga Mountains in Rwanda are home to half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas.
The gorilla is the largest living primate and the last of the ape family known to science. There are two species, the Eastern Gorilla (gorilla beringei) and Western Gorilla (gorilla gorilla), both existing in Africa. Of the two there are foursubspecies, and one of them is the mountain gorilla.
The mountain gorilla is of great stature and stands up to 6 feet tall and weighs 300 to 425 pounds.
The Virunga Mountains are perceived to be in the Great Rift Valley. The Virunga are a group of volcanic mountains. Two of them are still active. The name Virunga originated from an English corruption of the Kinyarwanda word Ibirunga, which means volcanoes.
The Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mountains are also part of the natural wonders of Africa. The area around the Virunga Mountains is also home to the Batwa, one of the oldest living people in Africa.
To get as close as possible to the gorillas and the Batwa you can board at the Virunga Safari Lodge, which is located right by the mountains. If you are brave enough you can venture on a Gorilla safari, and get the unique chance to track some of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas.
The tropical forest that surrounds the Virunga is also home to other diverse mammals, birds and reptiles, but of course the main attraction are the gorillas.
