The democratic republic of Congo – known as Zaire back then – is located in the heart of Africa and blessed with a number of unique attractions. It has 26 provinces including equateur, haut Katanga, bas Uele, haut Lomami, ituri, Kasai oriental, Kinshasa, Kongo central, Kasai central, kwango, kwilu, Lomami, mai ndombe, lualaba, north kivu and south kivu.
Congo is also blessed with a number of national parks, tropical forests, rivers, active volcanoes, snow peaks and grassland savannahs. Plus, of course, the eastern lowland gorillas, which can only be found in Congo. Other unique mammals in Congo include the bonobos, bongo, okapi, Congolese peafowl and mores.
The park located in eastern part of Congo and gazetted in 1925 making it the oldest national park in Africa. A UNESCO heritage site and the most visited park in Congo, it harbors mountain gorillas and mammals like lions, leopards, okapi, hippos, chimps and many more. Virunga national park is part of the Virunga volcanoes.
It is located in the eastern part of democratic republic of Congo bordering Rwanda. The unique features in the park are kahuzi and beiga extinct volcanoes where the park also derives its name from. The park is a home to over 400 lowland gorillas and chimpanzees. Activities to be carried out in the park include birding, gorilla trekking, mountain hiking.
Garamba national park was gazetted in 1938 and made a UNESCO heritage site due to its diversity. It harbors over 1500 African elephants, giraffes, antelopes, hippos and a variety of bird species
Mountain nyirangongo is a volcanic mountain in Virunga national park with clear smoke plumes that can be viewed even when you are in Rwanda at night, it has the biggest lava lake in the world. Hiking to the summit takes only two days and then you win yourself a chance of seeing the lava lake.
Kinshasa is the capital city of Congo, it has a number of historical buildings including the Kinshasa national museum, American Baptist missionary society chapel, palais de la nation, Roman Catholic cathedral and the legislative building. A city tour is a must do in order not to miss out on these interesting buildings.
The falls derive their name from the British explorer David Livingstone, the falls are as a result of the huge rapids in Congo River and they extend all the way bas Congo starting from malebo.
Congo offers both lowland gorilla trekking and mountain gorilla trekking in either Virunga national park or kahuzi beiga national park, these activities start from park headquarters with a briefing and then head to the lush forests to search for these gentle giants.
You can decide to hike the active nyiragongo volcano to get a glimpse at the stunning world’s biggest lava lake at the summit of the mountain or you can hike the Rwenzori Mountains and get to easy the beautiful views of the snowcapped Margherita peak.
Congo has a rich cultural heritage and during cultural encounters you will visit a number of local villages and get to know their life styles and traditions.
Wildlife safaris are one of the top activities to do in Congo and these are done in Virunga national park and garamba national park. Mammals to be spotted include elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes and many more.
River cruises. A boat cruise on river Congo is worth it due to the stunning sceneries of the river banks with views of water birds and aquatic life like hippos and crocodiles.
Congo is open all year round however the dry season of May to October are more travel friendly since they provide clear wildlife views, the roads are clear and there is less or no rain.
