10 Top Places to Visit in Congo- Congo Safari Tours
10 Top Places to Visit in Congo : The Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire, is Africa’s second biggest country. South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, and the Republic of Congo are her neighbours. Kinshasa, the capital, has the greatest population density in Africa, with around 14,950,000 people. It is also Africa’s second largest French-speaking metropolis. Kinshasa’s large population is linked to insecurity in various regions of the nation. Residents also have an easier time finding jobs and essential social services.
Congo is a wildlife and environment lover’s heaven. The nation is home to everything from Africa’s big five to birds and reptiles. The Congo is home to unique animal species such as the elusive okapi, bongo, bonobos (pygmy chimps), Congolese Peafowl, eastern lowland gorillas, and mores. Tourists can only follow both wild mountain gorillas and Grauer’s gorillas in the Congo (Eastern Lowland gorillas). Active volcanoes and waterfalls are also wonderful sights.
10 Top Places to Visit in Congo- Congo Safari Tours
- Virunga National Park
Virunga is Africa’s oldest national park and one of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. The park was created in 1925 and is located in the country’s east. Virunga was originally designated Albert National Park, but it soon expanded to encompass Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and sections of Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla Park. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s most visited national park is Virunga.
Apart from volcanoes and mountain gorillas, it is notable for its amazing biodiversity. Lions, leopards, chimps, elephants, hippopotamuses, and uncommon species such as the okapi live in Virunga. The most popular activity in Virunga National Park is gorilla trekking, which is closely followed by ascending Mount Nyiragongo.
- Kahuzi Beiga National Park
This national park is one of the 10 Top Places to Visit in Congo and is located in the eastern section of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, close to the Rwandan border and Lake Kivu. National Park of Kahuzi-Biega Things to do in Congo National Park is another of Congo’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The name comes from two extinct volcanoes called Kahuzi and Biega. These two volcanoes colour the landscape and are connected by a short length of woodland.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park provides visitors with the entire wilderness beauty and experience that only the Congo can provide these days. The park is a wonderful tourist destination for anyone looking to do something new or explore one of Africa’s few real wildernesses.
Aside from pure nature, Kahuzi-Biega National Park is one of the remaining strongholds of the world’s biggest gorilla species, the Grauer’s gorilla. Around 400 individuals may be found in the park, with additional located in Maiko National Park and other reserves in the surrounding areas.
There are around 5,000 Eastern lowland gorillas left on the planet, and they are all situated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Surprisingly, despite having the smallest primate population, Kahuzi Biega is the greatest site to observe the Eastern Lowland gorilla. The most popular activity is eastern lowland gorilla trekking, but travellers may also sign up for chimp tracking, visiting the chimp sanctuary at Lwiro, birding, mountain hikes, and nature excursions to find magnificent waterfalls.
- Mount Nyiragongo
The Nyiragongo Volcano is a major attraction in Virunga National Park, with plumes of smoke visible from as far away as Rwanda at night. Nyiragongo Volcano is an active volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo with the world’s biggest lava lake. The mountain has erupted 34 times since 1984, the most recent in 2011. Every year, hundreds of people disregard negative news and security warnings from their embassies in order to be among the few who have seen a lava lake up close.
When coupled with gorilla trekking in Virunga and a visit to the Serengeti/Masai Mara, you’ll have accomplished something to brag about to your family back home. Climbing Mount Nyiragongo takes two days, and the lava lake will leave you speechless.
- Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is one of Africa’s biggest lakes. Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo share it. Lake Kivu is located close to the magnificent Virunga National Park and the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Under the Activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo lake lies a massive store of methane gas that experts fear is a tragedy waiting to happen if the proper conditions exist or if one of the Virunga volcanoes erupts.
Following a lengthy safari in Congo or Rwanda, Lake Kivu is ideal for relaxing, swimming, island hopping, visiting local fishing settlements, canoeing, kayaking, bicycling, and other water activities. Nile Tilapia, Tanganyika sardines, Clarias, Haplochromis, Barbus, and Limnothrissa miodon are among the primary catches. While swimming at Lake Kivu, there are no hippos, crocodiles, or bilharzia to be concerned about.
- Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage.
Tourists who register with Mikeno lodge have the option of visiting the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage after seeing the gorillas in the wild. This is the only Mountain gorilla orphanage in the world, and it is home to around 7 people. The institution also temporarily rehabilitates Eastern Lowland gorilla orphans before transferring them to the Eastern Lowland. What to do in the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Senkwekwe, a massive silverback, inspired the name of the facility. Poachers killed Senkwekwe when he was attempting to defend his family and rescue a child kidnapped by wildlife traffickers.
His death, along with the capture of other young gorillas, provided the groundwork for the founding of this facility. The Center is located on a stretch of woodland, giving the primates the opportunity to experience the same circumstances as their wild cousins.
- Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is one of several stunning sights and 10 Top Places to Visit in Congoand UNESCO World Heritage sites in Congo that are mostly unknown to the rest of the world. Okapi wildlife reserve in Congo is approximately 14,000 square kilometres in size, with thick forest covering one-fifth of it. Okapi Animal Reserve rewards those who are lucky enough to visit with breathtaking landscape, the opportunity to see the rare okapi, other wildlife species, waterfalls, and a cultural interaction that is unparalleled in Africa. It takes at least three days in the Ituri forest to track down the elusive okapi.
The hunt is unique since it is being spearheaded by Mbuti pygmies. They are the ones that know the forest’s mysteries and can track down the okapi using instinct or minor leads. While following the okapi, the pygmies will show you their way of living in the jungle, hunting and collecting.
- Salonga National Park
Salonga National Park is situated in the Congo River Basin and has approximately 36,000 square kilometres. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the thick forests and amazing species that live there. The tropical rainforest that makes up much of the Democratic Republic of Congo Park’s national tourist attractions is so dense that new species are continually being discovered. Because of the on-going civil conflicts in eastern Congo, the park has been designated as a World Heritage site in risk since 1999. Poaching for bush meat has flourished as a result of these civil wars.
Salonga national park, despite civil wars and poaching, will continue to be a key tourist destination in the future due to its huge woods and exceptional biodiversity. The park is home to a variety of species, including the uncommon Congo peafowl, forest elephants, bonobos, Salonga monkeys, Tshuapa red Colobus monkeys, okapi, and the African slender-snouted crocodile. The park’s road network, both within and outside of the park, is underdeveloped. As a result, the river is the only means to get to the park.
- Livingstone Waterfalls
The Livingstone Falls in the Democratic Republic of Congo are a series of huge rapids in the Congo River. The falls extend all the way from Malebo Pool to Bas-Congo (Matadi). They are one of the main attractions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and should not be missed if you are planning a safari in the nation. The waterfalls are named after the well-known British explorer David Livingstone.
- Museums and Historical buildings in Kinshasha.
Kinshasa, as the hub of power and economic activity, has several notable structures worth seeing. They include the Kinshasa National Museum, Palais de la Nation, the legislative building, the American Baptist Missionary Society Chapel, and the Roman Catholic Cathedral. A city trip can be organised with the assistance of a local tour company or an experienced private Guide. A real Guide can be obtained at your hotel or by arranging for one through your host or contact in the country.
- Garamba National Park
Garamba national park in Congo is a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its diverse plant and animal life and is one of the 10 Top Places to Visit in Congo. The park was created in 1938, making it one of Africa’s earliest national parks. The park is made up of limitless savannah grasslands and woods that stretch all the way to South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Garamba national park used to be home to over 20,000 African elephants, but just approximately 1,500 survive now.
If environmentalists relax their watch, the last known population of White Rhinos will be wiped out. Garamba is perhaps the best par in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for conventional game drives. Visitors may see all five of the Big Five, as well as giraffes, hippos, antelopes, and birds.
Conclusion: Explore Rwanda Tours is one of the few travel providers that provides tours to this enigmatic nation. The world’s largest gorillas, the eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, resting on Tchegera Island on Lake Kivu, or tracking endangered mountain gorillas in Africa’s oldest national park. Congo has it all, and we will plan every detail of your once-in-a-lifetime trip.
