The American newspaper New York Times ranked Virunga Park, located in eastern DRC, 19th on the list of the 52 best tourist destinations in the world in 2016. Congolese Minister of Tourism, Elvis Mutiri, said this on Tuesday March 15 in Kinshasa, speaking of “great pride”.

“It is a source of great pride for us because as you know, Virunga Park is an area rich in biodiversity for us. The work that is done by the ICCN [Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation] and the park rangers who protect tourists and the site allowed us to be ranked in the Top 20. So, it is a recognition of all these efforts,” said the minister.

The New York Times article which presents the 52 destinations mentions that visitors to Virunga Park can notably see chimpanzees there or discover the island of Tchegera on Lake Kivu.

Located in the North Kivu province, Virunga National Park is home to several endangered animal species, including mountain gorillas.

It also offers a diversity of landscapes. It is classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Read more: https://www.radiookapi.net/2016/03/16/actualite/societe/le-parc-des-virunga-parmi-les-20-meilleures-destinations-touristiques