As the tourism industry all around the world continues to bleed as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, various tourism entities, and attractions sites have had to come up with different measures to ensure that they protect themselves and their clients from this global pandemic that’s spreading so fast like a wildfire. In so doing, Virunga National Park, one of Africa’s leading gorilla trekking destination has decided to close its operations with immediate effect until the month of June 2020.
Virunga National Park is a famous destination for Africa gorilla safaris as it is one of the 4 national parks in East Africa where you can find the endangered Western mountain gorillas. In the world as of today, mountain gorillas are considered an endangered species as there only 1063 of them remaining. The Virunga massif which comprises of 3 national parks namely Virunga National Park in Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga gorilla National park is home to 604 of these total and the remaining balance of 459 gorillas can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda and Serembwe conservation area of Congo. This therefore makes Virunga National Park a highly thought after destination to anyone who wishes to see gorillas in their natural habitat. However in a newly publicized letter from the Institut Congolaise pour la Conservation de la Nature / Virunga Foundation an organization that’s tasked with running this park, the park will tentatively be closing all its tourism activities for the time being until 1st June 2020. In its part the document read “As many of you may have heard, Virunga National Park has taken the decision to close all gorilla tourism in the park due to the rapidly unfolding situation regarding the global spread of COVID-19.”
The letter further revealed that the organisation made this decision as a precautionary measure following guidelines given by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which advises people “to restrict movement and limit social contact”. It further said that this decision has also been based on scientific advice given by experts about the high likelihood of primates such as gorillas to be susceptible to complications arising from this viral disease hence the need to be steadfast in ensuring that the gorilla population remains protected from such a lethal disease.
The park advised that they will not be taking new bookings until the 1st of June 2020 however they are “committed to reopening our Gorilla tourism as soon as the situation allows.” “For all of you who are holding bookings with us in the next two months, we will honor a postponement up to June 2021.We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your continued support through this challenging time.” Ended the letter from Virunga Foundation.
Prime Safaris wishes to take this opportunity to advise all its esteemed clients who were planning to visit Virunga National Park in the near coming months April and May to reconsider their plans to a later date possibly to the month of June and beyond. We promise to keep updating you on new developments as they come through using our various online platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and blog posts. We remain committed to giving you the ultimate Africa safari memories when you chose to explore the African frontiers with us.
At Wild Gorilla Safaris, we strive to meet all your Africa safari needs as we have got virtually the safari packages that will give you a memorable Africa safari experience. For anyone interested in Uganda wildlife safaris packages we have got you covered with wide range of packages that are tailored basing on the number of days you have and the destination you would like to visit on your Uganda safari tour. If you’ve got only a few days, then choose from our short Uganda wildlife safaris which run from 2 days to 5 days such as 2 days Uganda wildlife safari to Murchison falls or 5 days Uganda wildlife safari with chimpanzees and many more. For those that have got more than 5 days, then I suggest pick from our compressive long Uganda wildlife safaris that run from 6 days to as many as 21 days such as
4 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Bwindi, Gorilla Tour Uganda Wildlife Safari Tour Lake Mburo Park
On top of an epic Uganda safari adventure to many of these savanna parks, you have an opportunity to encounter mountain gorillas. Yes, a Uganda gorilla tour experience is very possible when you visit gorilla trekking Uganda destinations Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A Uganda gorilla safari to any of these parks gives you an opportunity to meet any of the 19 gorilla families that have been habituated to give you nothing but the ultimate Uganda gorilla tours experience, you can ever think of.
If you’re interested Uganda gorilla safaris these are available in both short Uganda gorilla safari packages such as 3 days gorilla tours in Bwindi and 4 days Bwindi gorilla tour and wildlife in Lake Mburo. There are also long Uganda gorilla tours that run from 6 days to as many as 18 days while featuring many other things along the way to the gorillas. After a magical gorilla tour in Uganda, you can always visit Lake Bunyonyi Uganda and enjoy the stunning views of this magical lake. A visit to Lake Bunyonyi gives you an opportunity to experience a boat ride on Africa’s second deepest lake.
Rwanda is also another gorilla destination you wouldn’t want to miss out on, hence if you are planning for a Rwanda gorilla safari package, check out some of our Rwanda gorilla tours packages which also come in form of short Rwanda gorilla gorilla safaris for those that have got only a few days in Rwanda but those that have got more days, then Long Rwanda gorilla trekking safari packages will do you good as they also give you a chance to visit other Rwanda safari attractions.
Congo as well is another gorilla destination and we have numerous Congo gorilla safari packages that will take you on a Congo gorilla tour adventure to either Virunga National Park for an encounter with mountain gorillas or Kahuzi Beiga National Park where you will encounter Eastern lowland gorillas. Besides gorilla safaris and wildlife encounters in Uganda, you can still explore Uganda’s diversity using any of our wide range of day trips that visit other sites that are near the capital city Kampala or Entebbe international airport such as a Mabamba birding day trip to Mabamba island Kampala city tour day tour Jinja day tour and 1 day Ngamba island chimpanzee safari. Check out our great east Africa safari to such as Kenya safari tours and Tanzania safari tour that take you on an Africa wildlife safari adventure to Kenya and Tanzania respectively.