Congo Safaris Tours are not particularly popular with tourists since overblown media claims have had a detrimental influence on potential visitors by frightening them away. True, the nation once known as Zaire has undergone protracted periods of insecurity due to violent rebellions, corruption, and weak governance mechanisms. In reality, visitors should take caution while visiting some areas of Congo, which house the largest UN peacekeeping presence. We cannot, however, generalize the security situation in DR Congo because it is such a huge nation. Not all of the country is as dangerous as some claim.
Tourist security is taken seriously by the government and park wardens, and visitors may expect to go through many security measures and be escorted by armed rangers both within and outside the parks. Mountain Gorilla hiking in the Democratic Republic of Congo is frequently halted if the Virunga national park’s management deems it risky for guests.
Aside from security, the nation has immense tourist potential, and the Congolese people are highly welcome and pleasant to visitors. The nation is home to some of the world’s most beautiful parks, which are home to a diverse range of wild plant and animal species. Visitors on a Congo wildlife safari will see breathtaking vistas, unending green forests, water bodies, and rare creatures such as the elusive Okapi. If complete peace reigned, the country might easily become Africa’s top safari destination.
Kinshasa, with its huge diplomatic community and population of over 10 million people, has intriguing locations to explore, such as the “Symphonies Naturelles” with its cool trees and scenic trails. While in Kinshasa, one may marvel at street art or visit historical structures such as the Musée National de Kinshasa, the snake farm (serpents du Congo), and the Matongé Central Market (Marché Central). Congo safaris are organized by Mission Africa Safaris. Many of our vacation packages include combination safaris that include flying between the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Where to go for a Wildlife Safari in Congo? Congo Safari Tours.
There are a number of national parks and wildlife reserves that tourists can visit while on their Congo Safaris Tours;
Kahuzi Biega National Park.
The Kahuzi-Biega National Park, located in the south of Kivu, is named 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. Poaching has been a concern to Eastern Lowland Gorillas for some time, but efforts by the government, environmentalists, and other well-wishers have increased their numbers. In comparison to mountain gorillas, tracking eastern lowland gorillas is quite simple.
Gorilla permits to Kahuzi Biega national park may be obtained quickly, eliminating the need to hike long distances on steep mountain slopes. Aside from gorillas, travelers on a Congo wildlife safari can also see elephants, chimps, and many antelope species.
Major activities done in Kahuzi Biega National Park include; gorilla trekking, hiking Mount Kahuzi and Biega, birding, camping, guided nature walks, and community/cultural tours.
Virunga National Park.
The Parc National des Virungas is Africa’s oldest park, established in 1925 to preserve mountain gorillas. The park, which is located near Congo’s borders with Uganda and Rwanda, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Virunga National Park is one of the most beautiful destinations on the planet to visit due to its stunning environment and ecological richness.
Tours to trek mountain gorillas in Congo’s Virunga national park and ascending the Nyiragongo volcano are the two primary activities while on a visit to the park. Visitors on Congo safaris tours, on the other hand, can see the rare but elusive okapi, a hybrid between a giraffe and a zebra.
Visitors may marvel at the woods, valleys, grasslands, savanna, and wetlands, or they can glimpse lions, hippopotamus, and over 400 bird species. Visitors on Congo safaris can visit the world’s only mountain gorilla orphanage, the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage at the Mikeno Lodge, after walking in the Virunga National Park.
Garamba National Park.
Despite its lesser popularity, this is one of Africa’s finest national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage site. A trip to the park will provide visitors with breathtaking vistas of the African savanna and grasslands. Giraffes, hippos, rhinoceros, antelope, and various bird species live in the park. Unfortunately, the park’s spectacular array of huge species is under threat from widespread poaching. Caution should be exercised when entering the park on a safari because rebels and armed organizations from neighboring countries have occasionally sought sanctuary in the park’s deeper parts.
Activities offered to tourists on Congo safaris in Garamba National Park include wildlife viewing, boat cruises on the Garamba River, sport fishing, birding, and guided nature walks.
Salonga National Park.
This is Africa’s biggest rainforest and one of the country’s numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. The sheer quantity and variety of species and plants make this park a must-see. Among many other species, visitors will see peacocks, forest elephants, dwarf chimps, and the slender-snorted crocodile.
Visitors on a Congo safaris tours in Salonga national park can enjoy a variety of activities such as; bird watching, fishing, cultural tours to the Iyalima community, wildlife viewing, guided nature walk tours and hunting.
Nyiragongo Volcano Mountain
The Nyiragongo volcano in Congo shines brightly over Goma and the Virunga National Park. The most recent eruption occurred in 2011, leaving over 100,000 people homeless and nearby areas covered in ash. The hardened lava mountain became the world’s biggest Crater Lake, which still throws smoke into the sky and draws thousands of visitors each year. The trek up the Nyiragongo Volcano takes two days and includes camping on top of the volcano after being rewarded with a stunning close-up view of the boiling crater.
Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary.
The Lola ya Bonobo refuge is one of the most appealing sites to visit while in Kinshasa. Bonobos are pygmy chimpanzees that can only be found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Bonobos are less calm than their bigger cousins, yet they have experienced significant persecution and are sought for their flesh.
The sanctuary, which covers around 30 hectares of forest, seeks to safeguard children who have been orphaned as a result of the murders of adults. The sanctuary’s staff and volunteers feed them and safeguard them from being sold as pets in underground/black marketplaces.
What to do during your Congo Safaris Tours?
Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park.
A visit to the endangered mountain gorillas of Virunga is high on many people’s bucket lists. The lush volcanic woods of Virunga’s gorilla sector are home to around one-third of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, and it is here that visitors may come face to face with these majestic creatures.
All hikes are conducted by Virunga Rangers and local pisteurs who are in charge of daily monitoring of the 10 habituated gorilla groups in Virunga. Treks often entail 1-2.5 hours of trekking each way, depending on the group’s location and the severity of the terrain.
The temperature on the trip averages 24 degrees Celsius, however, we recommend trekking in pants and a long-sleeved shirt to guard against stings and thorns, and a pair of long socks to tuck trousers into in case of army ants. Good walking boots are also required, and we recommend carrying a raincoat, water, snacks, and a camera.
Visitors will be given surgical masks to wear when in the presence of the gorillas in order to protect their health. Because mountain gorillas are sensitive to human disease, we urge that clients cancel and/or rebook if they are feeling poorly at the time of the booked journey. Visitors to mountain gorillas must be at least 15 years old.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Virunga National Park.
Chimpanzee tracking is a little-known pastime available to visitors in Virunga National Park. It is held near the park headquarters at Rumangabo. Only one completely habituated group of roughly twelve individual chimpanzees exists. Chimpanzee tracking begins at 6 a.m., and the chances of spotting them are excellent. Chimpanzees, unlike gorillas, like spending time in the trees. They don’t remain in one location for long, so you may have to follow them for a while to get excellent shots. Permits to see chimps in Virunga cost $100 per person.
Climbing Nyiragongo Volcano.
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 is an active volcano in the Democratic Republic of the 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 headlines and security warnings from their embassies in order to be among the few who have seen a lava lake up close.
When paired with gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park 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. Hiking tickets to Nyiragongo cost $300 per person, which includes a night in a lodge at the peak.
Congo Safaris Tours : 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 roughly 7 people. The institution also temporarily rehabilitates Eastern Lowland gorilla orphans before moving 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 newborn kidnapped by wildlife traffickers.
The Center is located on a stretch of woodland, giving the primates the opportunity to experience the same circumstances as their wild ancestors. Volunteers interested in learning more about mountain gorillas are welcome at the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage. If you are passionate about gorilla conservation, you may sponsor one of the orphans or make a donation to the Sanctuary. Tourists staying at the upscale Mikeno Lodge can visit the Center for free.
Congo Safaris Tours : Mount Nyamuragira
Mount Nyamuragira is another active volcano in Virunga National Park. They are the world’s most active volcanoes, together with Nyiragongo. On the peak, there is also a permanent lava lake. Although most visitors choose to hike Mount Nyiragongo, Nyamuragira is likewise a fascinating and spectacular natural phenomenon. It is a must-climb peak, especially if you have already scaled Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Congo Safaris ToursEastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
The majority of visitors to Kahuzi-Biega National Park come to see the Grauer’s gorillas. Mountain gorillas are bigger than eastern lowland gorillas. The species is making one of its final stands here, and it threatens extinction.
A lowland gorilla trekking permit in Kahuzi Biega national park costs $ 400 per person and trekking starts at 8 am, taking between 2-4 hours or more depending on the location of the gorilla family.
In Conclusion; there are so many things to do during your Congo safari tour. Simply contact our team of expert consultants at Explore Rwanda Tours when you are planning your trip to Congo.
