Congo Gorillas Found in Unesco World Heritage Site
The DRC is inhabited by three remarkable gorilla subspecies in the Congo rainforests—Eastern Lowland Gorillas, Mountain Gorillas, and Western Gorillas—which are intelligent, social, and herbivorous, making them fun tourist attractions. Explore Virunga or Odzala-Kokoua National Parks for unforgettable guided treks.
1) The Rare Eastern Lowland Gorilla—Grauer’s Gorillas
The Grauer’s gorillas are one of the major tourist attractions in Congo that you can only see in this great nation when on African wilderness safaris.
The Eastern Lowland Gorillas are a critically endangered subspecies and the largest of the four gorilla subspecies inhabiting tropical rainforests in the eastern Congo.
With only 3,800 eastern lowland gorillas remaining, according to WWF, they are known for their intelligence, social behavior, and physical strength, with males weighing 150-209 kg living in stable groups with complex social hierarchies, showcasing impressive intellectual abilities.
Find them in key populations in UNESCO World Heritage sites like Kahuzi Biega National Park, Maiko National Park, Salonga National Park, Virunga Mountains, Tayna Gorilla Reserve, Usala Forest, and Itombwe Massif through partaking in guided gorilla trekking safaris offering a glimpse into the lives of these gentle giants in their natural habitats.
Other places you can get a glimpse of the eastern lowland gorillas are at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Congo Sanctuary, which cares for eastern lowland gorilla orphans, and the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE), which cares for rescued Grauer’s gorilla species from bushmeat poachers.
2) The Stunning Mountain Gorillas in Congo
These are another of the Democratic Republic of Congo tourist attractions tourists come from far and near to see when on safaris.
The endangered mountain gorillas, the largest primates, are distinguished by their impressive size (1.2-1.9 m tall, 100-220 kg) and unique adaptations, including thick fur and robust builds. Their gentle nature and intelligence make them a captivating sight.
Found in the Virunga Mountains across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda, they inhabit dense, high-altitude forests.
With only 1,075 individuals remaining, they are endangered. Virunga National Park, one of the oldest national parks, is the only national park in Congo home to 350 of these magnificent creatures, plus the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage (only mountain gorilla orphanage), and guided treks support conservation efforts.
3) Western Lowland Gorillas
These are also rare Democratic Republic of Congo tourist attractions to see when on safaris exploring Congo’s lush forests to see these majestic Western Gorillas.
These gentle giants, with brown-grey coats and auburn chests, inhabit dense rainforests and swamp forests.
Adults reach 1.6-1.8 meters tall and weigh 150-220 kilograms. Listed as critically endangered, they face habitat loss due to civil wars, poaching, and disease.
Visit Odzala-Kokoua National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for guided treks, supporting conservation efforts and local communities. Witness their intelligence, social behavior, and gentle nature up close.
Book a Congo safari today and witness these tourist attractions up close!
Beautiful Congo Birds
Among the main Democratic Republic of Congo tourist attractions, these rank highly.
With over 1,139+ bird species, including 21 endemics (e.g., Congo Peafowl, African Grey Parrot, Congo Bay Owl, River Martin, Congo Sunbird, Prigogine’s Greenbul, Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Yellow-billed Stork, and Congo Shoebill Stork, among others), the nation is a birdwatcher’s paradise.
They inhabit the Congo rainforest, savannas, wetlands, national parks, lakes, and rivers in top birding sites, e.g., Virunga National Park, Upemba National Park, Itombwe Mountains, Maiko National Park, Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Mount Hoyo Reserve, Lendu Plateau, Garamba National Park, Lomako-Yokokala Nature Reserve, Ngiri Forest, Luki Forest, Salonga National Park, Kahuzi Biega National Park, Lake Kivu, Sangha, and Congo Rivers, etc.
You can get a glimpse of these beautiful birds of paradise by partaking in birding tours, gorilla trekking safaris, boat cruises, nature walks, hiking, mountain climbing, etc.
Don’t hesitate to book the Democratic Republic of Congo birding safari today and get a glimpse of these tourist attractions!
Other Primate Species in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Besides Congo gorillas, the nation is home to several other primates that are popular tourist attractions in Congo, and they are as listed below:
1) The Rare Bonobo Monkey
Bonobos, formerly known as pygmy chimpanzees, inhabit the lowland rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, south of the Congo River.
With a population of 15,000-20,000, they’re renowned for their peaceful nature, intelligence, and distinctive features like long limbs and pink lips.
They are found only in the Congo around the Kasai River, Lualaba River, Lake Tumba, and Lake Mai-Ndombe.
Visit these tourist attractions on a trekking expedition in the wild, exploring sanctuaries like Lola ya Bonobo, Maringa-Lopori-Wamba, and Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba when on Congo safaris.
2) Stunning Chimpanzees in Congo
These are among the main Congo tourist attractions often seen on African wilderness safaris in the nation.
Chimpanzees inhabit the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with estimated populations of about 20,000-30,000 individuals in Virunga National Park (UNESCO World Heritage site), Kahuzi Biega National Park, Garamba National Park, Ituri Forest, Tchimpounga Sanctuary, and the Bili-Uéré reregion. With a large population, they’re a sought-after primate species for tourists.
The Congo Chchimp cane found in equatorial forests, with unique behaviors like ground-nesting in the Bili-Uéré region.
You can view these primates through chimpanzee trekking, which is available in Virunga National Park, with tours starting at 7:00 am.
Sanctuaries like Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary care for rescued chimpanzees (~83 chimps), while conservation efforts protect their habitats.
3) Additional Monkeys in Congo
These are an amazing Democratic Republic of Congo tourist attraction worth seeing when on African safaris.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to a diverse range of other monkey species, including:
| Lesula | Guenon | Western red colobus | Angola colobus |
| Greater spot-nosed monkey | Moustached guenon | Crested mona monkey | Agile mangabey |
| Hamlyn’s monkey | Red-tailed monkey | Dryas monkey | Malbrouck |
| Tshuapa red colobus monkeys | Foa’s red colobus | Bouvier’s red colobus | Wolf’s mona monkey |
| Oustalet’s red colobus | Kinda baboon | Black crested mangabey | Gabon talapoin |
| Dent’s mona monkey | Salonga Monkeys | Allen’s swamp monkey | Golden-bellied mangabey |
| Grivet | L’Hoest’s monkey | Semliki red colobus | Blue monkey |
| Mantled guereza | Grey-cheeked mangabey | De Brazza’s monkey | Golden monkey |
The Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary cares for about 105 monkeys from 12 species. Monkeys can be found in various national parks, including Lomami and Virunga. The lesula, a slender, medium-sized monkey, is a rare discovery found only in the Congo Basin.
Congo safaris offer opportunities to see these unique primates in their natural habitats when you partake in gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, nature walks, birding tours, etc., supporting conservation efforts and responsible tourism.
Book your next tour to Congo and see all these tourist attractions up close for lifelong memories!
The Outstanding Forest Elephants in Congo
These outstanding mammals are another of the unique Democratic Republic of the Congo tourist attractions you can expect to see on African wilderness safaris in the nation.
African Forest Elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis), the smallest elephant species, reach 2.4 m in shoulder height and inhabit West and Central Africa’s humid tropical forests in the Congo Basin.
They live in family groups of up to 20, led by a matriarch, and feed on leaves, seeds, fruits, and tree bark.
With a population decline of over 86% according to Wikipedia due to poaching and habitat loss, they’re critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Congo safaris offer opportunities to see these elusive animals in Virunga, Garamba, Odzala-Kokoua National Parks, and Okapi Wildlife Reserve, with conservation efforts in place to protect them.
Other Wildlife Species in Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo boasts an impressive array of mammalian diversity in its rainforests, with a staggering 400 wildlife species calling the country home and being major Congo tourist attractions. They include;
- Big Five: elephants, leopards, lions, buffalo, and the last known population of white rhinos (Garamba NP)
- Antelopes: bushbucks, sitatungas, duikers, and kudus
- Other Mammals: aardvarks, pangolins, rare okapis, African forest hogs, bongos, and hippopotamuses
- Reptiles: crocodiles (e.g., African slender-snouted crocodile), snakes (including cobras, vipers, and pythons), and turtles, among others.
These are found in several UNESCO World Heritage sites, Congo national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries, such as Virunga National Park, Garamba National Park, Kahuzi Biega National Park, Salonga National Park, and Okapi Wildlife Reserve, among others.
You can see these tourist attractions when you engage in wildlife-viewing safaris, birding tours, nature walks, photography, hiking, and mountain climbing.
Don’t miss out on the fun; book your Congo trip today and see these firsthand.
The Stunning Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu, a vast freshwater lake in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, is a unique tourist attraction, spanning 2,700 km². Its unique ecosystem boasts 28+ fish species like the Nile tilapia, is home to exotic birds and aquatic / animal life, and supports local communities.
Visitors enjoy relaxation, water sports, fishing, and island hopping in a scenic setting. Free from hippos, crocodiles, and bilharzia, Lake Kivu is a haven for swimming and water activities, perfect for unwinding after a Congo safari.
Congo River
The Congo River is a major tourist attraction, known to be Africa’s second-longest river, and stretches 4,700 km through six countries, supporting incredible biodiversity and hydroelectric power.
It’s the world’s deepest recorded river, home to over 713 species of fish, crocodiles, hippos, and birds.
The river crosses the equator twice, offering breathtaking scenery and adventure opportunities, from day trip excursions to week-long expeditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Vast Congo Rainforest
The Congo River Basin Forest, covering 2 million square kilometers across six central African countries, is the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest.
This vast ecosystem is home to an incredible array of biodiversity, including western gorillas, chimpanzees, and okapi, as well as over 10,000 plant and animal species.
As the ‘lungs of Africa,’ the Congo Basin rainforest plays a vital role in supporting local livelihoods, regulating the climate, and producing oxygen.
However, deforestation poses a significant threat, prompting conservation efforts by organizations like WWF and initiatives like CAFI to protect this critical ecosystem.
Mount Nyiragongo Volcano
Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano in Virunga National Park, boasts the world’s largest lava lake. With 34 eruptions since 1882, it’s a closely monitored site.
Visitors can hike to the summit, explore lava tubes, and witness the breathtaking lava lake on a two-day climb (the Nyiragongo hike costs $300 per person).
This thrilling experience can be combined with gorilla trekking and visiting the Serengeti/Masai Mara for an unforgettable safari adventure.
Mount Nyamuragira
This is an active volcano in Virunga National Park, and is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, alongside Nyiragongo. Its summit features a permanent lava lake, making it a fascinating natural wonder.
While often overshadowed by Nyiragongo, Nyamuragira offers a unique hiking experience, especially for those who have already conquered its neighboring volcano.
Additional Democratic Republic of Congo Tourist Attractions
Beyond those listed above, the nation is home to various Congo tourist attractions as described below that are worth visiting when on African safaris.
The Mayombe Forest
This tourist spot spans four countries: Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa, Gabon, and Angola. This vast forest covers low mountains, deep forests, and mangrove swamps and is home to diverse wildlife, including chimpanzees, gorillas, antelopes, and manatees.
Visitors can explore the forest’s wild coast and stay in tree huts, taking in breathtaking views of the lush surroundings.
The Livingstone Waterfalls
The Livingstone Falls, named after explorer David Livingstone, is a series of rapids on the Congo River, stretching from Malebo Pool to Bas Congo.
This breathtaking attraction is a must-visit on any Democratic Republic of the Congo safari, showcasing the river’s raw power and beauty.
The Zongo Falls
They are a natural wonder and tourist attraction in the Democratic Republic of Congo, offering breathtaking scenery and a tranquil escape from Kinshasa’s chaos.
Visitors can marvel at the falls, swim below, or explore the surrounding area. Accommodation options range from campsites to tent setup areas, making it an ideal getaway for backpackers and nature lovers alike.
Idjwi Island
Located in Lake Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa’s second-largest inland island, covering 340 km², is a renowned Congo tourist attraction. Home to 200,000 people, the island’s economy relies on subsistence farming and small-scale fishing.
With a rich cultural heritage, Idjwi Island offers tourists a unique experience, including hiking, cultural tours, and exploring Lake Kivu. Visitors can reach the island by boat from Bukavu and then explore by bike, motorcycle, or on foot.
Symbolic Historical Buildings and Congo Museums
Discover the Congo’s vibrant cultural heritage through its world-class museums, including the National Museum in Kinshasa, the largest city, and those in Lubumbashi, Butembo, and Kananga.
To explore the city, consider hiring an experienced private guide or tour operator, easily arranged through your hotel or local contacts.
Kinshasa’s Marché Central
Located in Matongé is another top tourist attraction in Congo that offers a vibrant glimpse into local life.
Visitors can mingle with locals, observe daily business, and shop for fresh produce, second-hand clothes, and Congolese fabrics, gaining a unique insight into the city’s culture and way of life.
Melodious Congolese Music
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is renowned for its rich musical heritage, which is a major tourist attraction, producing legendary guitarists and iconic artists like Papa Wemba and Koffi Olomide.
Congolese music styles, including Ndombolo, rumba, and soukous, have captivated audiences across Africa.
The country’s musicians have long been admired for their high-quality recordings, making Congolese music a must-experience, with vinyl records a great souvenir to take home.
Popular Congolese Food
This is another of the major things to see in Congo when on safari. Congolese cuisine blends French, Belgian, and African influences, featuring mayonnaise-based dishes, grilled meats, and local specialties like poulet à la mwambe.
Popular dishes include fufu, ndole, and moambe chicken. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking methods are characteristic of Congolese food.
Contact a reputable Congo tour operator to customize an itinerary that will enable you to see all these tourist attractions when on safari tours!
Bonus Tourist Attractions in Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to several other tourist attractions worth exploring when on African safaris, for example,
| Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in Pointe-Noire | Pointe-Noire Beach |
| Congo Ocean Railway Museum | Marché du Port |
| Diosso Gorge in Pointe-Noire | Pointe-Noire Lighthouse |
| Congo River Delta | Ngoyo Beach in Pointe-Noire |
| Boyoma Falls | Inga Waterfalls |
| Valle de la Lufira | Lualaba River |
| Chutes de Lukaya | University of Kisangani |
| Catholic Cathedral at the Central Market | Musée National de Kinshasa |
| Palais de la Nation | Laurent Kabila’s Tomb |
| Palais du Peuple | Académie des Beaux-Arts |
| Nôtre Dame Cathedral or The Roman Catholic Cathedral | Église Ste Anne |
| The Congo Bloodhounds | Serpents du Congo |
| Jardin Botanique de Kisantu (botanical gardens) | Symphonies Naturelles |
| Kinkole Fish Market | Plage Mondaine |
| Plage Du Peuple | Mvassa Beach |
| Muanda Beach | Pointe Indienne |
Don’t miss out on the fun, bookfun;r summer vacation now and explore more Democratic Republic of the Congo tourist attractions today!
Congo Tourist Attractions FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Why Do Tourists Visit the Congo?
Tourists visit the Democratic Republic of Congo because it is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise blessed with its rare and endangered species, including majestic gorillas, elusive okapi, and other unique animals, set amidst the country’s breathtaking rainforests and diverse landscapes.
- What Is a Famous Landmark in the Republic of Congo?
The Republic of Congo boasts an array of awe-inspiring landmarks, with the iconic Congo River being one of its most renowned tourist attractions.
As Africa’s second-longest river by discharge volume, it’s a remarkable natural wonder that sustains both human settlements and diverse wildlife, offering a unique opportunity to explore remote villages and lush forests and experience the local culture firsthand.
- What Is the Congo Republic Known For? | What Is Famous in The Congo? | What Is Special in Congo?
The Congo Republic is known for
- Unique Wildlife (Congo gorillas, bonobos, elusive okapi, Congo peafowl)
- Congo River (2nd longest river in Africa)
- Rain forests (Congo Basin, 2nd largest tropical rainforest)
- Rich Mineral Deposits (diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt)
- Vibrant Music and Dance (rumba, soukous, traditional dances)
- Diverse Heritage (over 450 ethnic groups)
- Breathtaking Landscapes (waterfalls, mountains, savannas)
- Unique Congolese Cuisine
- Adventure Tourism
- Is Congo Good for Tourists?
Yes, Congo is good for tourists because it offers a unique tourist experience with stunning natural beauty and rich culture for those on safaris.
With all these Congo tourist attractions enveloping fauna, flora, and two extinct volcanoes, among other things, you can be assured of maximized fun. So don’t miss out; contact our professional team today to customize your safari package and enjoy Congo safari tours!
