Popular Tourist Destinations in Congo: The Democratic Republic of the Congo boasts several tourist attractions that travelers may visit on their Congo gorilla safari trips, including the two picturesque islands of Idjwi and Tchegera. Visitors can combine gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park or lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park with a visit to one of the two aforementioned Congo island resorts.
Popular Tourist Destinations in Congo.
Idjwi Island
Idjwi is an island in Kivu Lake located between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the east and west, respectively. It’s in the DRC’s South Kivu province. It has a total size of 340 km2. This Indian Ocean island is claimed to be Africa’s second largest after Madagascar. Idjwi Island may be reached from either the DRC lakeshore or Rwanda, which are around 10 to 15 kilometers apart. The southernmost part of the island is about one kilometer from the Rwandan coast. This island is cut off from the rest of the country since it is landlocked.
Nonetheless, the island of Idjwi in the Democratic Republic of Congo has its own way of life, with agriculture being its principal activity. Fishing is another activity that helps the community earn money since Lake Kivu is abundant in many types of fish, the most popular of which is Isambaza, a type of little fish used to make the sauce.
Idjwi Island is an excellent spot to disconnect from contemporary life and appreciates nature while learning about the island’s rich culture. Speed boats connect the island to Goma and Bukavu on the Congo side and Rusizi, Korongi, and Rubavu on the Rwanda side. On the island, there is a range of hotel and camping alternatives.
Visits to Idjwi Island can be combined with other excursions in the vicinity. Trekking gorillas in Rwanda or Congo is one option, as is visiting Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda, which has chimps, colobus monkeys, and other primates. The island has beaches that offer both recreation and fresh air.
Visits to local plantations, including one of the largest pineapple farms, village strolls, conversing with inhabitants about their everyday life, seeing birds, meeting local fishermen, and swimming in Lake Kivu are all popular tourist activities on Idjwi Island.
If you want to visit this beautiful island, you can combine it with other Rwanda tourism sites such as canopy walk tours and chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park, golden monkey trekking, wildlife viewing safari in Akagera National Park, or gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Virunga National Park.
Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the borders of Rwanda and Uganda. It is the country’s oldest and most ecologically diversified national park. In the Rwenzori Mountains, you’ll discover lava plains, savannas, forests, valleys, active volcanoes, wetlands, and even glacier peaks.
The park is home to around 25% of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas, and it is the only park that has three of the four great apes in one location. The park is also home to the Okapi, an endangered animal that appears like a mix between a giraffe and a zebra. Hippos, lions, elephants, and a variety of rare and uncommon birds may be seen. The park is divided into three main parts, all of which are worth seeing: the Rwenzori Mountains, the Lake Edward area, and the Mikeno volcanic area.
Tchegera Island
Tchegera Island, tucked in the heart of Lake Kivu, near Goma on the Congo side, is a hidden gem for those looking to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo and experience an unspoiled treat on an island in Congo.
Tchegera Island, located in the stunning blue waters of Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is known for its distinctive crescent shape, which is really the top crater lip of a long-extinct volcano. On clear evenings, the island offers spectacular views of the volcanoes Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira, whose vivid red lava pierces a star-studded sky. Tchegera provides views of the two highest Virunga mountains, Mikeno and Karisimbi, as well as panoramic views of Lake Kivu and its surroundings.
Tchegera Island in the Democratic Republic of Congo is an excellent place to stay if you wish to extend your stay in DR Congo and experience more adventure while admiring the beauty of this magnificent country. Tchegera Island Camp offers a great tented camping experience with open doors where you may sleep while admiring the surrounding water bodies. This magnificent tented resort is situated in the heart of Lake Kivu, on the exposed slope of a collapsed volcanic crater.
Tchegera Island Camp has six tents: two twins and four doubles, each with an en-suite bathroom, hot showers, and flush toilets. It is powered by a solar power system that runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with charging stations in the tents and main area, as well as an on-site restaurant and bar. It is best to make reservations ahead of time.
During one’s stay at the camp, one may undertake gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, climb Mount Nyiragongo, and enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoe trips on Lake Kivu. This gorgeous lake may also be explored by motor boat or speed boat. On the island, bird watching and ecological hikes are ineffective. Snorkeling on Lake Kivu’s clear waters.
Nyiragongo Volcano
Nyiragongo dominates the skyline of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This incredible 3,000-metre-high volcano erupted in 2011, damaging up to 15% of the surrounding area and displacing over 120,000 people. Nyiragongo has erupted 34 times in the last 130 years and is positioned at the point where the African tectonic plate is fracturing.
The terrain near Goma is remarkable, with black hardened lava stretching so far that it resembles an aboveground coal mine. Inside the crater, there is an active lava lake that may be viewed on occasion. The region has recovered well from the previous blow, and there are many new stores and marketplaces to explore.
Kahuzi Biega National Park.
This beautiful national park is located in South Kivu Province and runs from the Congo River valley to Bukavu. It is named after the 3,000+ meter Mount Kahuzi and the 2,700+ meter Mount Biega.
Extinct volcanoes Kahuzi and Biega provide fantastic trekking opportunities. It was established in 1970 to safeguard the Eastern Lowland Gorillas and was awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site ten years later.
Poaching of gorillas has been a concern for decades, but due to the park authorities, a focused education program is still underway. The gorillas are still endangered today, but their quality of life and circumstances are improving year after year. The park has a tremendous biological richness, including indigenous vegetation, elephants, chimpanzees, genet, antelope, and serval.
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is Africa’s sixth biggest lake, straddling the boundary between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Lake Kivu, one of the region’s freshwater lakes, provides magnificent drives between the settlements that dot its shoreline. The pleasantly curving route from Cyangugu to Gisenyi provides stunning scenery as you travel leisurely.
The route is lined with banana and eucalyptus trees, and folks often stop and wave as you pass. Gisenyi is a large town that was formerly a colonial seaside resort, so it has some lovely old homes and ideal spots for a sundowner cocktail.
Other Places to Visit in Congo.
Popular Tourist Destinations in Congo : Garamba National Park.
This national park is surrounded by endless meadows and savannahs. Elephants, giraffes, hippos, black rhinos, and white rhinos populate these. Garamba National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an incredible refuge for various endangered species. It’s unusual to witness so many different types of huge mammals sharing the same place, therefore a visit to the park is a must.
Popular Tourist Destinations in Congo : Lola Ya Bonobo.
Lola Ya Bonobo is a shelter for orphaned bonobos and one of Kinshasa’s most famous tourist attractions. Bonobos are targeted for bush meat, and when a mother is killed, the offspring are frequently kidnapped and sold as pets on the black market.
The sanctuary makes every effort to rehabilitate as many as possible so that they can live out their lives in safety. Bonobos, one of the four great apes, was virtually unknown until the twentieth century. The sanctuary spans 30 hectares of woodland, and you may visit the several feeding stations used by the personnel to track the apes. Volunteers are also welcome at the refuge.
Popular Tourist Destinations in Congo : Salonga National Park.
Salonga is both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Africa’s biggest tropical rainforest. Several endangered species can be found in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Congo peacock, dwarf chimps, forest elephants, and the slender-snouted crocodile. The park is rather remote and can only be reached by boat. This crucial ecosystem is so huge that it influences climate control for the entire country.
Popular Tourist Destinations in Congo : Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is notable for the enormous number of primates and unusual birds that live there. Within the reserve, there are several options for walking to even more spectacular waterfalls. The scenery along the Epulu and Ituri rivers is breathtaking.
The Okapi wildlife reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo is also home to the pygmy nomad tribes of the Efe and Mbuti hunters. It’s an excellent location for seeing the endangered Okapi, with approximately one-sixth of the whole population located here.
In summary; The Democratic Republic of Congo is not only rich in minerals but wildlife as well, and the above-mentioned destinations are a testament to that fact. Contact a reputable tour company like Explore Rwanda Tours for better guidance if you are planning to travel to Congo for a safari.
