A safari in the Congo may be a bit off the beaten path, but it often results in a cordial welcome and heartwarming interactions with the locals, who are genuinely unfamiliar with and fascinated by foreign visitors. A safari in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is renowned for its biodiversity and natural wealth, which includes the largest primary rainforest in Africa. The Republic of Congo offers numerous opportunities for exploration to pioneering explorers desiring a singular African experience.

Why should you visit Congo?

Mineral abundance is abundant in the Congo. It has significant reserves of industrial diamonds, cobalt, and copper, as well as one of the largest forest reserves in Africa and more than half of the continent’s hydroelectric potential. Most tourists visit a country primarily or, more precisely, primarily for its tourist attractions. It is fortunate that the Democratic Republic of Congo is home to the last populations of three endangered animal species: mountain gorillas, Okapis, and lowland eastern gorillas.

Major attractions in Congo.

National parks designated by UNESCO are abundant throughout the country. There are active volcanoes, raging rivers, and all the fauna you would expect to find in Africa. The DRC is both the literal and figurative core of Africa, so proceed with caution.

Kinshasa.

Kinshasa is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and one of its eleven provinces. It is chaotic, teeming with life, and immense, with over 10 million inhabitants. Henry Stanley founded it as a trading post in the late 1800s, and it is now compared to an African New York City. It is the greatest consumer centre in the republic and the centre of its industrial and economic activities. Large public corporations coexist with privately owned industrial and commercial enterprises in the city.

Lola ya Bonobo.

Lola ya Bonobo is a refuge for orphaned bonobos and one of the most popular tourist safari destinations in Kinshasa. When their mothers are killed for bushmeat, infant bonobos are frequently kidnapped and sold on the black market as pets. The shelter strives to reclaim as many as possible so that they may live out their days in tranquilly. Until the twentieth century, bonobos, one of the four great apes, resided in relative isolation. You can tour the 30 hectares of forest and the feeding stations used to monitor the apes.

Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

Kahuzi-Biega National Park is situated on the eastern side of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), close to the city of Bukavu, on the western shore of Lake Kivu, and near the Rwandan border. The park was founded in 1970 by Belgian conservationist and photographer Adrien Deschryver and is named after two extinct volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi (3,308 metres) and Mount Biega (2,780 metres). It encompasses 6,000 square kilometres, making it one of the greatest safari national parks in Congo, with both flatlands and mountains. Kahuzi-Biega National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 because of its exceptional biodiversity of rain forest habitat and the presence of critically endangered lowland gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri).

It is one of the few places in Sub-Saharan Africa where the transition from lowland to highland vegetation zones is clearly visible, with six distinct primary vegetation types: swamp and peat bog, swamp forest, high-altitude rainforest, mountain rainforest, bamboo forest, and subalpine heather, as well as the endemic plant Senecio kahuzicus, which grows on the summits of Mount Kahuzi and Biega at altitudes above 2,600 metres. The park contains endemic plants, elephants, chimpanzees, genets, antelope, and serval, among other species.

Nyiragongo Volcano.

Nyiragongo is a magnificent stratovolcano with the greatest lava lake in the world. The lower wooded slopes of the volcano are inhabited by chimpanzees, several monkey species, the three-horned chameleon, bushbuck, and a diversity of bird species, which makes the ascent to the summit all the more rewarding. In 2011, this extraordinary volcano erupted for the last time, destroying up to 15 percent of the surrounding area and displacing over 120,000 people. Nyiragongo, which has erupted 34 times in the past 130 years, is located at the location where the African tectonic plate is breaking apart.

Virunga National Park.

Virunga National Park, formerly known as Albert National Park, is a 7,800-square-kilometer park in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo that stretches from the Virunga Mountains in the south to the Rwenzori Mountains in the north and borders Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda as well as Rwenzori Mountains National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Virunga National Park straddles the borders of Rwanda and Uganda. It is the oldest and most biologically diverse national park in the country. There are volcanic plains, savannas, forests, valleys, active volcanoes, wetlands, and even glacier peaks in the Rwenzori Mountains. It is possible to see hippos, lions, elephants, and a variety of uncommon and exotic birds. The Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Edward, and the Mikeno volcano region are all worthwhile safari destinations within the park.

Other attractions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo include Lake Kivu, Garamba National Park, Salonga National Park, Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Maiko National Park, the Falls of Zongo, and Boyoma Falls, among others.

Tourist activities in Congo.

Tracking gorillas: Follow groups of habituated western lowland gorillas.

Boat Safaris: Take a boat ride or go kayaking on the Lekoli River in search of animals, primates, and birds.

Learn about primate conservation from world-renowned experts who visit camp frequently.

On a game drive, search the savannah for native species.

Natural Swimming: Cool off in the Ngaga Stream’s natural waters.

Night Safaris/night game drive: Search for nocturnal animals such as golden cats, spotted hyenas, and leopards during night safaris.

Exploration of the Rainforest: Travel through the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest, which is home to Africa’s densest population of western lowland gorillas.

Walking Safaris: Take a stroll through the forests and keep an eye out for forest elephants or buffalo.

When is the best time to visit Congo?

The best time to visit the DRC is during the long dry season, which spans from May to September, with July being the driest month, after by June. During these months, there is also a minor drop in temperature. In January and February, the length of the arid season is shortened. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, like much of Central Africa, is frequently cloudy and humid. The higher elevations of the Virunga and Nyiragongo volcanoes will provide a welcoming relief from the oppressive heat.

Accommodations in Congo.

During a safari in the DRC, there are some of the finest lodges inside and outside the park, varying from budget-friendly to mid-range to luxury, to accommodate all types of travelers. Surprisingly, the hotels in the Kivu region’s major hubs are on par with other mid-range options in East Africa, with a decent selection available in Goma. Although public transport in this city is unreliable to nonexistent, taxis and private rental vehicles are a terrific way to get around if you desire a more secure safari in Congo.