Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira are two active volcanoes located within the national park boundaries. These volcanoes are the most active volcanoes in Africa.

Nyiragongo Volcano: is an active stratovolcano with a summit of 11,384 feet (3,470 m). The volcano is comprised of solidified ash, hardened lava, and lava rocks that are remnants from previous eruptions. This contains the world’s largest volcano lake.

Nyamuragira Volcano: This volcano differs from its neighbor Nyiragongo. This is a shield volcano comprised of historical lava flows. Although the volcano is rising gradually, it currently has a peak of 10,033 feet (3,058 m).

Mount Sabyinyo: This is an extinct volcano that sits on the border of Virunga National Park in the Congo and the countries of Rwanda and Uganda. The tri-border point is found at the peak of the mountain which has a peak of 12,037 feet (3,660 m). Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and Gahinga National Park of Uganda share this common volcano and border area creating a combined larger protected area for the mountain gorillas to explore and roam about.

The majority of Lake Edward resides inside the national park before traversing into neighboring Uganda. This is one of the great lakes of the Western Rift Valley. The lake surface level is at an elevation of 2,992 feet (912 m) while stretching 48 miles (77 km) long and 26 miles (42 km) wide. It is shared with Uganda.

The ecosystem accounts for 300 endemic fauna and flora species. There are over 2,075 species of plants with 264 species being the various trees that make up the jungle. African alpine bamboo is also commonly seen within the park.

Wildlife consists of 196 species of mammals, 109 species of reptiles, and 65 species of amphibians. The most popular are the primates with the mountain gorilla being the pinnacle. Other primates include blue monkey, chimpanzee, De Brazza’s monkey, Dent’s mona monkey, golden monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, Hamlyn’s monkey, olive baboon, red colobus, and the red-tailed monkey.

Bird watchers will be ecstatic with approximately 706 species of birds found within the national park jungles and surrounding terrain.

Other popular wildlife includes elephant, hippopotamus, buffalo, Okapi, aardvark, waterbuck, topi, red river hog, giant forest hog, and the warthog. Predators include lion, leopard, mongoose, and the crocodile. Virunga National Park has collaborated with neighboring Queen Elizabeth National Park to create a lion conservation area.

The elevation of Virunga National Park varies from a low of 2,230 feet (680 m) to the peak of Mount Stanley at 16,762 feet (5,109 m). The Semliki River runs through the valley of the Rwenzori Mountains. Savanna and montane forest are common in the area.