Nyamulagira Eruption Attracts Tourists
December 20, 2011 by admin
Filed under Wildlife Tours
The Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the most visited in the Country. It is home to great number of species of flora and fauna. The most notable being the mountain gorillas found in only three Countries in the whole World. However another recent major attraction, is the Nyamulagira, which an active volcano that erupted recently. The eruption is the largest in over 100 years and is a very noisy place to visit. Tourists visiting the Nyamulagira which is part of Nyirangongo mountains are welcomed by a noise which can be hard from several kilometers away. The noise becomes ever louder as one reaches the mountain after trekking through thick dense forests and rocky fields.
The Virunga national park is the oldest national park in Africa and was opened in 1924, however, the park has seen a lot of political instability over the years. However since the eruption of the mountains the number of tourists visiting the region has more than double compared to a year early. In November this year the park saw 350 people visiting the park in comparison to 150 people who visited the park last year. The park was effectively the home of the rebels led by Laurent Nkunda who completely paralysed any tourist activities in the wildlife reserve in 2008. However after the defeat of the rebels the park was opened to tourists again in 2009 with 550 tourists visiting the park. In 2010 the park saw 1,800 tourists and it is expected that this year will see the park record about 4,000 tourists with an estimated one million US dollars in tourist dollars. The Nyamulagira is Africa’s most active volcanic mountain and began its eruption in November this year.
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It has been erupting for the last month and is attracting tourists in their droves. The eruption has been so spectacular and offers great photographic opportunities. Although the Virungas is a World heritage site, its future is in jeopardy given the political unrest the Country and the region has faced. The current dispute of the results of the elections and sensitive political atmosphere in the Country may put the future of the park at risk. The eruption was over 200 meters high with spectacular colors lighting up the skies above attracting droves of tourists to this beautiful Country. The costs of running the Virunga national park is estimated at 3.8 million US dollars annually and 80 per cent of the money comes from the European Union which is set to end in 2012. Given the current economic crisis in Europe the parks future is so uncertain. Of the money raise from tourist dollars 50% goes to the ministry of tourism while 30% goes to maintaining schools and clinics as well as creating jobs in the local community. The park managements keeps 20% and with the current eurozone economic crisis the future of the Virunga national park is bleak.
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