Attractions In Congo
The magnificent Democratic Republic of Congo has one of the most painful pasts that any country ever had to endure. From the cruelty and misgovernment of Leopold II of Belgium where over 10million lives were lost, to the atrocities of their former corrupt leader Mobutu Sese Seko to being the battlefields of the Continent’s dreadful World War and political instabilities that still affect the Eastern region of the country. However, one thing that you will never take from Africa’s second largest country is its natural beauty, biodiversity and tourism significance. Interestingly, some of the World’s extraordinary and rare wildlife species such as Eastern lowland gorillas, Okapi, Congo peafowl, Bonobo, Lesula monkeys and many others are endemic to this country.
Surprisingly, the World’s second largest and Africa’s largest River basin is found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, known as Congo River with approximately 4 square kilometers. This country never ceases to amaze travellers with its numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, some of the World’s most active Volcanoes (in fact, it is home to the largest Lava Lake on Earth) and almost all wildlife species offered in the entire African Continent. Let’s delve into the list of top tourist attractions in the Democratic Republic of Congo;
Kinshasa City
Kinshasa is one of the eleven Provinces and also the Capital City of the Democratic Republic of Congo, making it one of the top must-visit places during Congo tours. It is known for its vibrancy and buzzing with so much vigour, owing to the wide array of tourist ventures that are guaranteed of making safaris magical and worthwhile. The Capital of DRC was founded by Henry Stanley in the late 19th Century to serve as a Trading link between the Continent and outside World and for this reason was christened the “African New York City”. Here, travellers are offered opportunities of undertaking private boat rides on the calm waters of Congo River, Camping and BBQ Picnics on the banks of this River as well as birding tours. Enjoy the street art and delicious local and international cuisines at one of the small Cafes.
Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is another phenomenal tourist attraction in Congo, and sits along the Border with Uganda and Rwanda. Being Africa’s oldest National Park, Virunga has existed since 1925 and is popular for being one of the Continent’s most biodiverse rich places. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a stronghold of mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but is also haven to Hippos, Okapi (zebra-giraffe like mammal that is endemic to Congo), forest elephants, lions, leopards and several exotic birds that will make you fall in love with the country more. Travellers to this Park enjoy mountain gorilla trekking (with permits going for only $400 per person), guided forest walks, visits to Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage, Chimpanzee trekking and habituation tours, bird watching and many others.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Gazetted in 1970 by Adrien Deschryver-a Belgian Photographer and Conservationist, Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site named after the dormant 3308-meter tall and 2790-meter tall Volcanoes found along the western shores of Lake Kivu in the Eastern side of the country. This Park extends for 6000 square kilometer from the Congo River basin to Bukavu Town. The main aim of its establishment was to protect the endangered Eastern lowland gorillas that had for several years suffered from effects of poaching, habitat encroachment and illegal wild meat sale. Visitors are assured of seeing remarkably rich diversity in this stunning Protected Area in form of chimpanzee, forest elephants, giant forest hogs, black and white colobus monkeys, Olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys and forest buffaloes among others.
Salonga National Park
Salonga is another incredible attraction in Congo and is popular for being the country’s and Continent’s largest Tropical rainforest as well as the World’s third largest forest National Park stretching for over 14,000 square miles at the heart of River Congo. It was officially protected (as a National Park) in 1970 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. The Park is mainly explored via boat cruises, guided forest walks, birding tours, during which Dwarf chimpanzees, slender-snouted crocodiles, Okapi, Congo peafowls, forest elephants, giant pangolins, Bonobos, Bongos and many other unique creatures are spotted. Over 223 bird species and approximately 129 fish species call the spectacular Salonga National Park home.
Lake Kivu
This beautiful Lake is shared between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and for a total surface Area of 1040 square miles, making it the 6th largest Lake in the African Continent. It is one of the freshwater Lakes in Africa with spectacular sceneries between the wonderful Towns that mark her shores. Not only that, the winding paths and roads offer jaw-dropping views as travellers leisurely make way to and from the water body
Lake Kivu is fringed by vast eucalyptus and banana plantations where visitors are treated to occasional waves from locals. A number of tourist adventures are undertaken on this Lake and they include swimming, bird watching, canoe/boat rides, Island hopping, to mention but a few.
Lola ya Bonobo
Any Congo safari isn’t complete without touring Lola ya Bonobo, the World’s only Sanctuary for Orphaned Bonobos. These unique chimpanzee-like primates are endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo. While this amazing tourist site is found in Kinshasa Province, it can be treated as an independent attraction for its uniqueness in conservation of one of the most extraordinary Primate species. Given the threats on these creatures, resulting from poaching, illegal bushmeat sale and pet sale in the black market, they are facing extinction and therefore this Sanctuary offers hope and their recovery from danger that they face every day in the wild. This phenomenal tourist site extends for about 30 acres of primary forest and is haven to about 60 individuals (mainly orphans).
Maiko National Park
Being the remotest National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Maiko is so far the only safari destination where you can come across three of this country’s three endemic wildlife species that include the Eastern lowland gorillas, Okapi and Congo peafowl, although travellers are also introduced to Bongo antelopes, elephants, chimpanzees as well as leopards among others.
Inkisi waterfalls
The magnificent Inkisi waterfalls extend for about 197 feet high and are nestled within the south-western side of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The falls are characterized by wide range of Caves that surround them and are surprisingly open for visits all year round. Besides relishing awe-inspiring views, visitors are also offered hikes from the nearby Town and the site is surprisingly easy to get there because it’s only 80 miles by road from the City of Kinshasa.
Mount Nyiragongo
Relish the beautiful Mount Nyiragongo, the 3470-meter tall active Volcano that dominates the skyline of Goma Town. This Mountain is home to the World’s largest Lava Lake and one of the most active Volcanoes on Earth, its most recent eruption being in May 2021. For the past Century, Nyiragongo has erupted for more than 34 times and visitors who hike it are treated to one of the unmatched experiences during Congo safaris.
Mount Nyiragongo is normally hiked in two days, the first day being for ascent lasting 5-6 hours before reaching the Lava-dominating summit. The second day of the Mount Nyiragongo Hike is usually for descent and permits cost only $300 per person.
Garamba National Park
Being a savannah-dominating National Park, Garamba is marked by endless savannah grasslands and woodlands dotted with forest galleries as well as marshland depressions where a number of animals freely roam. This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site covering an area of 4900 square kilometers within the North-eastern side of the country. It was gazetted in 1938 and presently offers shelter to about 138 mammal species as well as over 340 bird species. You will see leopards, sitatunga, Hippos, patas monkeys, bush and forest elephants, lions, giraffes, De Brazza’s monkeys, Rhinoceros, chimpanzees, yellow-backed duikers, common warthogs, bushbucks, Uganda Kobs, Red River Hogs, Lelwel’s hartebeests, Defassa waterbucks, Roan antelopes, spotted hyenas, Oribis, Guereza colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, to mention but a few.
Birders are thrilled by the presence of over 340 bird species that include secretary birds, Carmine bee-eaters, Cattle egrets, Pied kingfishers, African fish eagles, pink-backed pelicans, Ruppell’s Griffon, Long-tailed cormorants, to mention but a few.
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Okapi Wildlife Reserve is an outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Site known for housing a wide range of primates as well as exotic bird species. Travellers to this wonderful tourist attraction are provided with opportunities of undertaking guided walks to jaw-dropping waterfalls within the Reserve. Named after Okapi, there is about one-sixth of the World’s population.
Besides the Okapi, visitors are offered views of about 13 primate species that include chimpanzees, the Bongo antelopes, forest buffaloes, forest elephants, water chevrotain, leopards and so much more. Besides the animals, the banks of Ituri and Epulu Rivers are just magical and the surrounding communities here are the Mbuti and Efe hunter-tribes.
Other awe-inspiring tourist attractions in Congo include Boyoma falls, the stunning waterfalls of Zongo, the vibrant Town of Kisangani, to mention but a few.