The Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL) is the richest part of the African Continent in terms of vertebrate species, it is home of 292 species of mamals; 890 species of birds; 135 species of reptiles; 91 species of amphibians; 177 species of butterflies; 366 species of fish and 3755 species of plants.
GVL is important for endemic, threatened and migratory species, including lions, hippotamus, chimpanzes, golden monkey, leopards, Okapi, golden cats, crown eagles, buffaloes, lesser flamingooes, vultures, Rwenzori dukers, sitatunga, mountain gorillas, and elephants.
The Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), establishedunder the GVTC treaty 2015 between the DemocraticRepublic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda, is a framework of programmes, plans and activities to conserve a network of transboundary protected Areas in Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL).
GVTC was established as a transboundary collaborative framework for harmonious wildlife conservation and tourism development within the Greater Virunga Landscape among the Partner States without ceding and or affecting the respective sovereign rights over the protected areas under their respective territorial jurisdiction.