Top Congo Safari Destinations
Top Congo safari destinations are those destinations in the Democratic Republic of Congo that are definitely worth a visit for their immense beauty, attractions and activities that tourists can do while visiting. The Congo is a wild and mysterious gem that has gone through a series of turbulent pasts, all the while rising above them all and standing on, that tourists after true wilderness and jungle feel opt for Congo safaris. Most Congo safaris are for tourists seeking true adventure, in every essence.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, normally called The Congo to differentiate it from Congo Brazzaville, is located in equatorial West Africa and is the second-largest African country after Algeria. Given its size, the Congo has an array of wildlife, rainforest, glacial mountains, savannah and culture. With much to offer, it is definitely enough to keep an Africa-enthusiast busy for quite a while.
The Congo has a number of attractions that one can opt to visit on a Congo safari tour. Ranging from the vibrant Kinshasa with its high-end hotels, restaurants and theatres, to the very wild parts of the country. The jungles and foothills of the volcanic mountains which host wildlife like the gorillas, chimpanzees and more, as well as the vast savannah plains of the country which have a variety of wildlife like the endemic okapi and more are a reason enough to cause one to visit on a Congo safari tour. Top Congo safari destinations that see record-high number of travellers per year, with some being rather not known or with little known about them by tourists include the following;
Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is undoubtedly the first on the list of the top Congo safari destinations one can choose from for a Congo safari tour. Virunga National Park hosts part of the world population of the endangered mountain gorillas that are found only in the Virunga Conservation Area and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is these endangered mountain gorillas that visitors from world over choose to visit Congo for a gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park experience. Other wildlife like black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey checked mangabey, forest elephants, warthogs and so many more make the safari experience all the more amazing.
For hosting Mount Nyiragongo, an active stratovolcano which has a large lava lake with boiling magma at the rim, Virunga National Park is a top Congo safari destination. Hiking Mount Nyiragongo to gaze at the largest lava lake is another activity that makes travellers from world over to flock Virunga National Park.
Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega National Park is not so far off from Virunga National Park. just near the border of the Congo with Rwanda, Kahuzi Biega National Park is a huge rainforest that harbors the endemic eastern lowland gorillas, different from the mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park. Eastern lowland gorilla trekking is an exciting activity that has travellers searching for the gorillas, in their natural habitat. Most travellers who trek eastern lowland gorillas also do gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park to give them an opportunity to differentiate the two gorilla taxa. Kahuzi Biega National Park also has Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega from which the park derived its name, that travellers can hike thereby making their experiences all the more enjoyable.
Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Odzala-Kokoua National Park is one of the top Congo safari destinations that is popular for hosting large numbers of forest elephants. Odzala-Kokoua National Park has a blend of savannah vegetation, rainforest and rivers that make Congo safari tours here all the more memorable with wild game viewing, boat safaris among so many other activities.
Tchegera Island
Tchegera Island is a beautiful U shaped collapsed volcanic caldera island found in the northern shore of Lake Kivu which is shared by both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Though little known to travellers, Tchegera Island is one of the top Congo safari destinations that travellers on a Congo safari tour should visit so as to relax. Tchegera Island is befitting to visit after a long gorilla trekking experience in Virunga National Park and also hiking Mount Nyiragongo. Most Congo safari tour packages have visiting Tchegera Island as the last activity on the itinerary given it is a perfect relaxation destination. Tchegera Island has a variety of animal and plant life as well as various species of birds and butterflies that are worth encountering.
Tchegera Island is only 15-20 minutes boat ride from the Goma harbour. With a great and comfortable lodging option available, Tchegera Island is a perfect relaxation destination as well as a honeymoon destination.
With so much that the Congo has to offer as a tourist destination, visiting on Congo safaris to encounter and experience some of the mentioned top Congo Safari destinations and activities should be considered by travelers after a wild Africa safari experience for the Congo is a gem awaiting to be fully explored. Get in touch with a reputable and knowledgeable tour operator to help you put together amazing Congo safaris.
