Congo Safaris: West Africa’s equatorial region is home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (often referred to as the DRC). The DRC is immense and supports an astounding variety of wildlife and civilizations. It is home to the second-largest rainforest on the planet, which covers hundreds of thousands of kilometers of the Congo River Basin and is dominated by glacial mountains and savannah elsewhere. It goes without saying that the DRC has had turbulent ups and downs throughout its lengthy history, which dates back around 80,000 years. The area’s abundance of resources, as was so often the case, led to conflict and institutional exploitation with the arrival of colonialism (in this case Belgian), and after independence in 1960, these effects have persisted. Thankfully, the DRC is currently experiencing a time of notable peace and stability, especially in the historically unstable east, and the expansion of tourism is only aiding in consolidation; its advantages to the economy and culture are obvious.
Game drives to other national parks in the Congo, like as Maiko, which is close to Kinshasa, the capital.
visiting waterways like the vast river Congo or Lake Kivu, which is home to gorgeous islands and methane gas that is a constant boil.
Due of inflated media reports that have scared away potential tourists, Congo Safaris are not very well-liked among travelers. It is true that the nation formerly known as Zaire has gone through extended stretches of instability brought on by violent uprisings, corruption, and weak governance. In fact, visitors to some areas of the Congo, which is home to the largest UN peacekeeping presence, should take extra precautions.
However, given that the DR Congo is a fairly large country, we cannot afford to generalize about the security situation there. Contrary to what is occasionally asserted, not all of the nation is unsafe. Visitors should anticipate going through many security procedures and being escorted by armed rangers inside and outside the parks because the government and park wardens take the protection of tourists seriously. Trekking with mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is typically put on hold if park authorities believe it to be risky for visitors.
Aside from security, the nation has excellent tourism potential, and the Congolese are incredibly hospitable and pleasant to visitors. The nation is home to some of the most stunning parks in the world, which are teeming with a wide range of natural plant and animal species. A great area to watch wildlife in Africa is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On a Congo wildlife safari, tourists can see breathtaking scenery, an unending supply of greenery, water bodies, and rare animals like the elusive Okapi. The nation might quickly overtake other African nations as the top safari destination if complete peace were to reign.
There are intriguing locations to explore in Kinshasa, the country’s capital, including the “Symphonies Naturelles” with its cool woodlands and picturesque trails. Kinshasa has a sizable diplomatic community and more than 10 million citizens. While in Kinshasa, visitors can explore historical sites, the Serpents du Congo snake farm, the iconic Matongé Market (Marché iconic), or marvel at the street art. Safaris in the Congo are organized with pleasure by Amakula African Safaris. Numerous of our vacation packages include integrated safaris that jump between the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Where to go for a safari in Congo
Kahuzi-Biega National Park: The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is situated in the southern part of Kivu and is called after the mountains Kahuzi and Biega. The Parc National de Kahuzi-Biéga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is well known for habituated Lowland gorilla trekking. The poaching of Eastern Lowland Gorillas has been a problem for some time, but recent efforts by the government, conservationists, and other well-wishers have led to an increase in the population. Eastern lowland gorilla tracking is simpler than that of mountain gorilla tracking. It is possible to obtain gorilla permits for Kahuzi Biega quickly, eliminating the need to hike for long distances up high mountain slopes. Apart from gorillas, visitors on Congo wildlife safari can go to spot elephants, chimpanzee and several species of antelope.
Virunga National Park:
The Parc National des Virunga was established in 1925 to safeguard mountain gorillas and is the oldest park in Africa. The park, which is situated close to Congo’s border with Uganda and Rwanda, is included as a UNESCO world heritage site. One of the most beautiful places on earth to visit, Virunga National Park is known for its breathtaking landscape and biological richness. Mountain gorilla tracking and climbing the Nyiragongo volcano are the two primary things to do when on a park tour. The okapi, a giraffe and zebra hybrid that is rare but elusive, can also be seen by tourists on a Congo safari. In addition to admiring the forests, valleys, grasslands, savanna, and swamps, tourists can also look for lions, hippopotamuses, and more than 400 different kinds of birds. After mountain gorilla trekking in the Virunga National Park, guests on a Congo safari can visit the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage, which is close to the Mikeno Lodge and is the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world.
Garamba National Park: This is one of Africa’s great national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage site, albeit receiving less visitors. On a tour of the park, visitors may look forward to breathtaking vistas of the endless African savanna and grasslands. Giraffes, hippos, rhinos, antelope, and other bird species can be seen in the park. Unfortunately, widespread poaching poses a threat to the park’s beautiful array of huge species. When taking a safari in the park, caution should be exercised because armed rebels and groups from nearby nations have occasionally found refuge there.
Salonga National Park: One of the several UNESCO World Heritage sites in the nation, this is Africa’s biggest rain forest. The sheer quantity and variety of the park’s animal and plant life make a visit mandatory. Among many other species, visitors will see peacocks, forest elephants, dwarf chimpanzees, and the slender-snorted crocodile.
Mount Nyiragongo Volcano:
The sky over Goma and the Virunga National Park are illuminated by the Nyiragongo volcano. 2011 saw the most recent eruption, which left over 100,000 homeless and covered the surrounding area in ash. The largest Crater Lake in the world was made from the hardened lava mountain, which still emits smoke into the sky and draws thousands of tourists each year. A two-day excursion to the top of the Nyiragongo Volcano entails sleeping there after being rewarded with a stunning up-close view of the bubbling crater.
Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary: The Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary is one of Kinshasa’s most alluring destinations. Bonobos are critically endangered Congo pygmy chimpanzees that can only be found in the DR Congo in the wild. Compared to their larger cousins, bonobos are relatively placid, yet they have endured enormous persecution and are targeted for meat hunting. The sanctuary, which protects children left orphaned after adults are killed, covers an area of forest of roughly 30 hectares. They are fed by the sanctuary’s staff and volunteers, who also guard them against being bought and sold as pets in black markets.
There are many other activities that visitors can get involved in while on a wildlife tour in Congo that may not have been described in detail above. Some of them include:-
- Game drives to other national parks in the Congo, like as Maiko, which is close to Kinshasa, the capital.
- Visiting waterways like the vast river Congo or Lake Kivu, which is home to gorgeous islands and methane gas that is a constant boil.
- Visiting the Livingstone and Boyoma Falls
- Hiking mountains like Nyamuragira (near Nyiragongo) which is Africa’s most active volcano.
- Visiting stone age caves like Dimba, Matupi , Thysville and Kakanda.
- Visiting the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
