Established in 1925 and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Virunga National Park is a landscape of superlatives. It is not only Africa's oldest national park, but also the last remaining sanctuary of the majestic mountain gorilla and one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. From lush forests and vast savannas to active volcanoes and glaciers, the park sustains an extraordinary array of wildlife, from the rare okapi to chimpanzees.
Come to the Botanic Garden and discover this beautiful exhibition honoring the park in words and images. Do not miss this unique opportunity to be swept away by breathtaking photography that highlights the people, landscapes, and innovations behind this living legacy.
Practical information
- When: Until August 31st
- Where: At Meise Botanic Garden, along the route from the Green Ark to the Plant Palace
- This exhibition is included in the day ticket
More Than Nature Alone: Resilience and Sustainable Development
Yet, Virunga’s significance extends far beyond its natural wonders. Six million people live within a day's journey of the park, in a region that has endured decades of armed conflict, poverty, and environmental injustice.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has responded to these challenges through a visionary approach that unites nature conservation with sustainable development. Thanks to investments in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and local enterprise, communities have been empowered and new opportunities have been created over the past two decades.
Virunga National Park stands at the heart of the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor. This ambitious initiative spans over 544,000 km²—an area as large as France. Its goal? To create the world's largest protected tropical forest area, perfectly reconciling nature conservation, green economic growth, and the protection of local communities. The European Union and the Kingdom of Belgium are proud partners of the DRC on this historic journey.
Meise Botanic Garden: A Proud Partner Since 2008
Together with the Virunga Foundation, Meise Botanic Garden works on large-scale reforestation, climate mitigation, and fundraising. We achieve this through concrete projects:
- 1,500 Hectares of New Forest (CliMA Virunga): Since 2020, with financial support from the Flemish Government, we have been planting trees around local fishing villages (such as Nyakakoma, Vitshumbi, and Kyavinyonge). This reduces deforestation pressures on the park.
- Sustainable Energy & Biodiversity: By planting fast-growing local tree species and fruit trees, local communities gain access to sustainable firewood and food. This helps protect the primary forests and the unique habitat of the mountain gorillas.
- Supporting the Virunga Rangers: We raise vital funds through initiatives like our annual Botanic Garden Jogging. A portion of the proceeds from this sporting event goes directly to the park to support the Congolese Virunga Rangers and their families.
Come visit, admire the exhibition, and discover how nature conservation and human resilience come together in Virunga!
