Marking 100 years of mountain gorilla conservation: the creation of Virunga National Park, DRC, 1925; and of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, 1927
- Carmen Gutierrez
- May 20
- 4 min read
A historic milestone in Africa’s conservation journey, from hunting bans to thriving ecotourism.
2025 marks an important landmark in mountain gorilla conservation: it is the 100th anniversary of the creation of Virunga National Park in the Congo - originally called Albert National Park - in 1925.
The National Park territory incorporated the area around the extinct volcanoes of Mikeno, Karisimbi and Visoke, the mountain gorilla habitat in Congo, as well as the wildlife area of the Rwindi Plains to the north.
It was a historic event: Albert National Park became Africa's first national park. Hunting gorillas and other wildlife was prohibited within the park's boundaries.
In 1927, the territory was extended to include the south-eastern slopes of Mount Visoke and Karisimbi, situated in today’s Rwanda, and was the beginning of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Praveen Moman, Founder of Volcanoes Safaris, speaking on behalf of the Albertine Apes Alliance, notes:
“A hundred years after the creation of the first protected area for mountain gorillas, it is heartening to note that all four mountain gorilla habitats in the world, in the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda, are now protected areas.
This achievement has required long-term, joint efforts by the governments of the three countries, protected area authorities, international and local conservation groups, research and veterinary organizations, the Greater Virunga Transboundary Secretariat, GRASP, the private sector, and local communities. This collective action has made mountain gorilla conservation as well as sensitive and controlled ecotourism a great success story.
Ecotourism has generated funding for the preservation of these parks, supported national budgets, and created sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
The mountain gorilla conservation model is one of the most successful in the world, and all those involved should take pride in its achievements. Today, the mountain gorilla population stands at approximately 1,063, a significant increase from the 250 estimated in the 1960s, when Dian Fossey predicted they would be extinct by 2000.
All stakeholders must continue working together to ensure that mountain gorilla conservation and ecotourism remain a success in the face of increasing population growth and development in the region.”
Background
1. In 1902 Robert von Beringe shot two mountain gorillas on the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo in Congo, marking the official international recognition of this species. One gorilla was sent to the Zoological Museum of Berlin. This discovery created increasing requests for gorilla hunting permits as well as a wish to display specimens in museums.
2. This led to increasing calls for greater conservation of the mountain gorilla. On 21 April 2025, King Albert of Belgium, encouraged notably by Carl Akeley of the American Museum of Natural History in New York, created Albert National Park, which incorporated the gorilla habitat around the extinct volcanoes of Mikeno, Karisimbi and Visoke, as well as the wildlife in the Rwindi Plains in the north. Albert National Park became Africa's first national park. Within one year, in January 1926, it would be joined by South Africa's Kruger National Park. On 18 August 1927, Albert National Park was extended to include the south-eastern slopes of Mount Visoke and Karisimbi, situated in today’s Rwanda. As a result, hunting of gorillas and other animals was strictly prohibited in these areas.
3. Surveys led by James Chapin, Carl Akeley and Jean-Marie Derscheid defined the limits of the protected area. After the sudden death of Carl Akeley in November 1926 at the camp in Kabara, Derscheid took over the survey work.
4. Later, Albert National Park was extended as far as Lake Edward, increasing its area from 25,000 to 190,000 hectares, including the western slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains, and the habitat of the Okapis.
5. In July 1962, the DRC sector of the Albert National Park was renamed Parc National de Virungas. The Rwandan sector of the Park, smaller in size, became Parc National des Volcans (Volcanoes National Park). On the Ugandan side of the Virunga volcanoes, Mgahinga Forest Reserve was created by the Ugandan colonial government in the 1920s. Together with the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, it was gazetted as a formal national park by the Ugandan government in 1991. The work of the four protected areas is overseen by their respective national park authorities - the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature; Rwanda Development Board; and the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The UN Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) was set up in 2001 to help ensure the long-term survival of gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans and their habitats in Africa and Asia. The Greater Virunga Transboundary Secretariat, set up in 2015, fosters collaboration between the four mountain gorilla protected area authorities.
About Volcanoes Safaris
Volcanoes Safaris is recognized as the leader in great ape ecotourism specializing in mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda and Uganda since 1997. Its curated mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, and wildlife safaris to the finest Great Ape sites in Rwanda and Uganda give a unique insight into the world of the endangered great apes, their habitats, and the communities that live nearby.
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For more information, requests for quotes or interviews, or interest, please email Alexandra Avila at alexandra@reyacommunications.com.
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