All details about the Congo wildlife safari and tours are discussed below for you:

Best Tourist Places in Congo for Tourists on Congo Wildlife Safari Tours

When you miss the following destinations or national parks in Congo on your vacation, don’t count yourself among travelers who have undertaken an African safari in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The most amazing places to visit in Congo:

1. Virunga National Park

Established in 1925, Virunga National Park was created to conserve the endangered mountain gorillas in the Virunga mountain ranges.  Of all the gorilla families in Congo Virunga Park, 8 gorilla families are habituated open for tourism.

This park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located close to the Congo’s borders with Rwanda and Uganda.

Putting aside mountain gorillas, Virunga Park is also known for its incredible variety of flora and fauna. This park is home to about 196 mammals, including primates such as golden monkeys, blue monkeys, chimpanzees, Dent’s mona monkey, Central African red colobus, Hamlyn’s monkey, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. It’s possible to spot the mentioned as you track gorillas in Virunga Park.

In the central sector of Virunga National Park, travelers can spot Forest buffalo, forest elephants, common warthogs, hippos, okapis, blue duikers, harnessed bushbucks, waterbucks, etc.

706 bird species reside in Congo’s Virunga Park.

The main tourist activities for tourists on Congo safari tours in Virunga include; the gorilla trekking experience and Mount Nyiragongo hiking adventures. It’s also possible to explore the nearby Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center, the only gorilla sanctuary globally.

2. Kahuzi Biega National Park

Located in southern Kivu, the Kahuzi Biega National Park is so-called because of the two mountains that make up its name: Kahuzi and Biega. Visitors on Congo wildlife safari tours basically visit Kahuzi Biega Park to track Eastern lowland gorillas.

Despite a long history of poaching, the government, conservationists, and other concerned citizens have managed to boost the population of Eastern Lowland gorillas. Today, the population in Kahuzi is estimated to be over 250 individuals.

A small population of western lowland gorillas also dwells in Kahuzi Biega Park. Just like the Eastern lowland gorillas, western lowland gorillas also dwell in lowland tropical rainforests.

3. Garamba National Park

Though Garamba National Park is less visited, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best national parks in Uganda to go for game viewing tours.

The endless savannah plains of Garamba National Park are habitats to an array of unique wildlife species, including bird species, giraffes, rhinos, lions, Forest buffalo, spotted hyenas, forest hogs, western lowland gorilla, and antelopes, plus various primate species, including olive baboons.

4. Salonga National Park

Travelers on the Congo wildlife safari holiday should explore Salonga National Park and witness its amazing biodiversity.

Within this Salonga Park, the biggest rainforest in Africa, tourists can spot endangered species including the Bonobos, Congo peafowl, Bongo antelopes, slender-snorted crocodiles, black-crested mangabeys, Western lowland gorilla, Giant forest hog, as well as Forest elephant.

Other unique tourist sites in Congo to explore by visitors on Congo wildlife tours;

• Tchegera Peninsula
• Okapi Nature Reserve
• Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary
• Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center—the world’s only gorilla sanctuary
• Living Stone Falls
• Maiko National Park- Congo’s Maiko National Park is a great site to spot forest elephants, lowland gorillas, okapis, eastern chimpanzees, Western lowland gorilla species, Congo peafowl, and other rare wildlife species.
• Odzala National Park- DR Congo’s Odzala Kokoua National Park is home to a healthy population of Forest elephant species, eastern lowland gorillas, Western lowland gorilla species, and various primate species.
• Lake Kivu
• Musée National de Kinshasa

Top Things to Do in Congo By Travelers on Congo Wildlife Safari Tours

Travelers visiting Congo for Congo wildlife safari vacation have a lot of things to do in this country; however, during Congo safaris and tours, visitors should never miss out on gorilla tracking in Virunga National Park- the oldest national park in East and Central Africa.

Gorilla tracking is an amazing adventure where visitors meet face-to-face with the endangered mountain gorillas in their wonderful, misty natural environment.

A detail about all things to do in Congo Africa, by tourists on wildlife Congo tours;

1.  Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park

Trekking gorillas in Virunga National Park is the safari highlight of most African wildlife safaris in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mountain gorilla trekking is a really exciting wildlife viewing adventure that starts early morning with a gorilla trekking briefing around 8 am.

Travelers on Virunga Park gorilla tracking expeditions are grouped into groups of 8 to visit each endangered mountain gorilla family. In the company of park rangers, you’ll enter the misty rainforest to encounter the allocated gorilla group.

In the Republic of Congo, gorilla treks usually last between 2 and 8 hours. During the Congo gorilla trek, expect to go through challenging terrain  If you go on the gorilla walk,  expect to go through a lovely, rough terrain in the rainforest; therefore, you should put on jungle boots & long-sleeved shirts and trousers to cover your body well.

An encounter with these cool giants is only limited to one hour; however, it’s worth it! Come with a camera to take photos and videos of these majestic giants—mountain gorillas in Congo Virunga National Park.

Congo gorilla trekking expeditions cost $400 and can be done year-round.

2.  Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park

Eastern lowland gorilla tracking expeditions in Kahuzi Biega National Park are almost the same as mountain gorilla trekking adventures in Virunga Park. This delight also starts early in the morning at around 8 am with the gorilla trek briefing!

The only difference between these two memorable adventures is that Eastern lowland gorilla tours take place in a lowland terrain, while mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga Park takes visitors to higher altitudes with challenging terrain.

If time allows, tourists on Congo safaris and tours should track both mountain gorillas and the eastern lowland gorillas to find out the variation between these two gorilla species.

Note:

• The eastern lowland gorillas of Kahuzi Biega National Park are bigger than the mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. Mountain gorillas also have much farther to help them keep warm as they live in cold mountainous areas.
• The Congo Kahuzi Biega National Park is the only place in East Africa where tourists can see Eastern lowland gorillas.

3.  Tracking Chimpanzees in Virunga National Park

Travelers on wildlife Congo safaris- (Congo gorilla trekking safaris) can go chimpanzee trekking in Virunga National Park; however, this expedition is less popular than Congo gorilla safari tours in Virunga Park.

Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga Park takes place in Rumangabo, just close to Virunga Park headquarters. Within this Virunga NP, there is one habituated chimpanzee community having over 12 members.

In Virunga Park, each person needs to pay about $100 for a chimpanzee trekking permit.

4.  Boat Riding on River Congo in Congo Basin

Boat cruising on River Congo is a thrilling wildlife-viewing adventure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As you explore the calm waters of the River Congo, be expectant to encounter many water birds and other bird species, Forest Elephant species, and hippos, as well as crocodiles along the river banks.

A boat ride on the Congo River in the evening is a wonderful way to see the sun go down.

About 40 power plants have been built along the Congo River and it’s believed that this mighty river in the Congo basin is capable of generating hydroelectricity power for the whole of the African continent.

5.  Visit Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center

Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage is the only sanctuary of gorillas on Earth. This gorilla sanctuary is open to both tourists. Travelers staying at Mikeno Lodge can visit the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage for free.

Congo’s Senkwenkwe gorilla orphanage center is home to over 7 gorillas and most of these are orphans after losing their parents due to poaching.

The orphanage center was named after the Senkwenkwe silverback gorilla, which was killed by poachers when he tried to protect his family and free a child who had been taken by wildlife traffickers.

Since the center is in a forest, visitors on Congo wildlife tours can spot monkey species that dwell here and even birds like the African grey parrot.

Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center does not have any Western lowland gorillas. The best place to spot or track western lowland gorillas in Congo is Odzala Kokoua National Park.

6.  Hiking Mount Nyiragongo Active Volcano

All Congo safari tours without hiking Mount Nyiragongo active volcano is an incomplete African safari adventures in DR Congo. Mount Nyiragongo is more than 3,470 meters above sea level.

A hike to the top of the mountain usually takes about 6 hours, but that depends on how fast you walk.

When you get to the top of Nyiragongo Volcano, you’ll observe its breathtaking 1.3-wide lava-boiling crater lake. The world’s largest lava lake is here! A lot of tourists on Congo safari tours spend the night at the top of Mt. Nyiragongo to see the glowing views of the magma in the night.

Nyiragongo climbing tours are best in the dry months, especially from June to early September.

A hiking permit for Mount Nyiragongo costs $300.

Other memorable adventures to supplement on wildlife Congo tours;

1. Enjoy nighttime in Kishasha
2. Relaxing on Lake Kivu
3. Bird watching in the DR Congo basin
4. Enjoy Nature walks in Congo’s Virunga National Park- A great site in the East African region for primate conservation.
5. Wildlife viewing in Odzala National Park

Packing List for Congo Wildlife Safari Tours

Planning a safari trip in Congo Brazzaville and wondering what to pack? The following is a list of everything you will require on your wildlife Congo tours:

1. Friendly safari clothes
2. Camera for photography for example while in destinations such as; Virunga Park, Odzala Kokoua National Park, Garamba Park, etc.
3. Warm jumper
4. Raincoat
5. Personal toiletry items
6. Binoculars
7. Insect repellants
8. Rainproof daypack
9. Medical kit with Basics
10. Sandals for evenings when you’re at your hotel
11. Sleeping bags. For visitors likely to climb the Nyiragongo volcano
12. Flashlight, ideal in the night
13. Sunhats and sunglasses during the dry months
14. Travel documents, including your passport

Best Time to Go for Congo Wildlife Safaris—What Is the Best Time to Visit Congo?

Having organized East African safaris in Congo for many years, we know the best time to travel to Congo for Congo gorilla safari tours and even other game viewing expeditions.

Dry months offer the best safari experience in the Republic of Congo. Congo’s dry season runs from January to February as well as June to early September.

Being mostly covered with extensive rainforests, a visit in the dry season allows you to explore this country without rainfall inconveniences. Also, the temperatures are pleasantly warm.

Within the Democratic Republic of Congo Brazzaville, rain falls most throughout March-May and October-November in most hours of the day. Most lodges in the Democratic Republic of Congo during this season offer discounts to guests to keep in business as it’s an off-season.

FAQs About Congo Wildlife Safari Holidays

1.   Can You Visit the Congo Jungle?

Yes, the Democratic Republic of Congo welcomes all travelers and tourists across the world. In most cases, travelers who visit Congo are interested in Congo gorilla safari tours in Virunga Park as well as Mount Nyiragongo volcano hikes.

Though all the safari destinations in the Republic of Congo are safe for visitors, always check first for the security situation in this country or inquire from your local travel company in the DRC.

2.   Is Congo Safe to Visit for Safari?

It can be noted that the Democratic Republic of Congo is safe. Kinshasa City is recorded as being even safer than Johannesburg and Nairobi, where the crime rate is high. However, like other cities, there are parts of Kinshasa that one should not walk into alone at night.

Despite the negative media coverage positioning Congo as a land of war-torn people, safari destination Congo is steadily rising from the civil war conflict, especially to the east of the country, and presents a harmonious travel platform for world travelers. But the issues of men in uniform still remain, though they could be avoided with a friendly gesture and compliance.

3.   How Much Does It Cost to Go to the Congo Safari?

On average, a budget safari in all African countries costs $150-300 a day, while a standard vacation is from $300-500 for each person a day. Then, for luxury safaris, expect to spend roughly $500 each day per person on your stay but this rate can change based on your lifestyle.

In most cases, travelers on Congo safaris also explore other safari destinations like Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda to mention but a few.

4.   How Much Does It Cost to Go Gorilla Trekking in Congo Virunga Park?

Congo gorilla permits in Virunga National Park costs $400 to international travelers. The gorilla permits in Congo are the cheapest among gorilla tracking destinations in Africa. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park gorilla tracking permits cost $1500 and Uganda’s is $800.

In Rwanda, gorilla tours are done in Volcanoes National Park while in Uganda its Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park. There are no other national parks where you can spot mountain gorillas in East Africa.

5.   Why Do Tourists Visit the Congo in Africa?

Travelers all over the world undertake Congo safaris and tours mainly to enjoy mountain gorilla trekking expeditions and Nyiragongo hiking adventures, to mention but a few. This wonderful country holds numerous amazing destinations with unique attractions, for example, Virunga Park, Odzala Kokoua National Park, Garamba Park, among many others.

6.   Does Congo Have Safari?

There are various Congo tours and the most popular include gorilla tours in Virunga Park and even Mount Nyiragongo hiking tours. Bird-watching tours, nature walks, and cultural encounters can be experienced on your visit in this country.

7.   Is Congo Good for Tourists?

With no doubt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a wonderful destination for tourists on African safari tours.

In the Republic of Congo, visitors can do mountain gorilla tracking, eastern lowland gorilla trekking, and also climb Mount Nyiragongo active volcano to explore the largest boiling lava lake in the world. Other safari experiences can be included on Congo safaris and tours.

8.   Do You Need a Visa to Go to Congo?

Travelers must have a visa and a passport to travel to Congo.  Only East African citizens can enter Congo without a visa.

For all inquiries about Congo wildlife safari tours, contact us. We have extensive knowledge in tailoring various Congo safaris, including gorilla trekking safaris and Nyiragongo hiking tours.