Congo Safaris or Congo tours have not been very popular with travellers because exaggerated negative media reports about the DR. Congo which has scared away travellers from taking trips to Congo. It is true that the country formerly known as Zaire has experienced prolonged periods of instability caused by armed rebellions, corruption and poor governance structures. In fact, caution should be exercised while on a trip to Congo to uncover the undiscovered destinations in Congo which hosts the largest UN peacekeeping mission. However we cannot afford to generalize the Security situation in DR Congo as we are talking about very large country. But all you need to know as you plan your trip to Congo for the Congo tour or Congo Safari or Congo River tour is not all parts of the country is unsafe as it is sometimes claimed. The government and park wardens take the security of tourists seriously and visitors should expect to undergo several security protocols and be escorted by armed rangers within and outside the parks. Mountain Gorilla trekking in Congo is usually suspended if the management of the Virunga national park deems it unsafe to tourists who are visiting Dr Congo for the amazing Congo Tours.

Security aside, the country has great tourism potential and the people of Congo are extremely welcoming and friendly to travellers who Visit Congo for the Congo Tours or Congo safaris. The country has some of the world’s most beautiful National parks that teem with a large variety of wild plant and animal species. Travelers on a Congo wildlife safari will bear witness to the stunning landscapes, endless green forest, water bodies and unique species like the elusive Okapi. If total peace prevailed, the country could easily become Africa’s number one safari destination.

The capital Kinshasa with its strong diplomatic community and over 10 million residents has interesting places to visit such as the “Symphonies Naturelles” with its cool forests and beautiful paths.  While in Kinshasa, one can marvel at the street art or visit historical buildings, the Musée National de Kinshasa, the snake farm (serpents du Congo) and the central Market of Matongé (Marché Central). Nungi Safaris is pleased to organize your Congo safaris or Congo Tour. Many of our 2023 Congo tour packages involve combined tours that involve hooping between DR Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.  You can choose to book this best Congo group tour in 2023 or any time or year of your choice.

CONGO WILDLIFE SAFARIS OR CONGO TOURS – WHERE TO GO FOR A SAFARI IN CONGO?

Kahuzi-Biega National Park: This national park is found in found in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo – near the border with Rwanda and close to Lake Kivu. Kahuzi-Biega National Park is another of the many UNESCO World heritage sites in Congo. It gets its name from two extinct volcanoes known as Kahuzi and Biega. These two volcanoes paint the landscape and are joined together by a small stretch of forest. Kahuzi-Biega National Park offers travelers that complete wilderness charm and feeling that only the Congo can provide these days. The park is an excellent travel destination for travelers who desire to do something different or discover Africa’s last remaining true wildernesses.

Other than pristine wilderness, Kahuzi-Biega National Park is one of the last strongholds for the largest gorilla species on earth – the Grauer’s gorilla.  About 400 individuals are found in the park with others found in Maiko National Park and some other reserves in the neighboring areas. In total, about 5,000 Eastern lowland gorillas remain on earth and they are all found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Interestingly, despite not having the largest population of the primates, Kahuzi Biega is the best place to see the Eastern Lowland gorilla. Eastern Lowland Gorilla trekking is the most popular activity but tourists can also register for chimpanzee tracking, visiting the chimpanzee sanctuary in Lwiro, birding, mountain hiking and nature walks to discover amazing waterfalls. Eastern Lowland gorilla permits cost $400 per person.

Virunga National Park: The Virunga is the oldest national park in Africa and one of the many UNESCO World heritage sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This national park was established in 1925 and is located in the eastern part of the country. Virunga was at first named Albert National Park and by then included the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and parts of Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda. Virunga is the most visited national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo by travelers who book trips to Congo. What stands out about it apart from volcanoes and gorillas is the remarkable biodiversity. Virunga is home to lions, leopards, chimpanzees, elephants, hippopotamus and rare creatures like the okapi. Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park is the most popular activity followed closely by hiking Mount Nyiragongo. You can choose to book this Congo tour 2023 with your friends, family and we also have the best Congo group tour packages for 2023 or any other years. Check us our if you are interested in a trip to Congo.

Garamba National Park: Though less visited, this is one of Africa’s great national parks and a UNESCO World heritage site. Visitors on a tour of the park should expect stunning views of unending African savanna and grasslands. The park is home to giraffes, hippos, rhinoceros, antelope and several species of birds. Unfortunately, the stunning collection of large mammals found in the park is threatened by massive poaching. Caution should be taken while visiting the park on a safari as rebels and armed groups from neighboring countries have sometimes taken refuge in the deeper areas of the park.

Salonga National Park: This is Africa’s largest rain forest and is one of the many UNESCO World heritage sites in the country. The sheer amount and variety of fauna and flora makes visiting this park a must. Visitors will spot peacocks, forest elephants, dwarf chimpanzee and the slender-snorted crocodile among many more species. So, if you are planning a trip to Congo, please ask the tour operator if it is possible to visit this beautiful national park while on the breathtaking Congo tours or Congo safaris with Nungi safaris.

Mount Nyiragongo Volcano: The Nyiragongo Volcano brightens the skies of Goma City and the Virunga National Park. The most recent eruption occurred in 2021 leaving over 100,000 homeless and surrounding areas filled with ash. The solidified mountain of lava created the largest Crater Lake in the world that still sends smoke up the sky and attracts thousands of visitors every year. Trekking up the Nyiragongo Volcano is a two day event that includes sleeping on top the volcano after being rewarded with a breathtaking close view of the boiling crater. But as you plan your trip to Congo, please ask your Congo travel expert to let you know if it will be possible to hike the Nyiragongo while on your visit to Congo for the breathtaking Congo Tours, Congo safaris and Congo cultural expeditions.

Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary: One of the attractive places to visit in Congo while in Kinshasa is the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary. Bonobos are endangered pygmy chimpanzees that in the wild are only found in the DR Congo. The Bonobos are relatively peaceful compared to their larger cousins but have faced great persecution and are hunted for their meat. Covering a forest area of about 30 hectares, the sanctuary helps protect youngsters left orphaned after the killing of adults.  Staff and volunteers at the sanctuary feed them and protect them from being sold as pets in illegal markets.

There are many other activities that visitors can get involved in while on a wildlife tour in Congo, Congo Safari or Congo Tour that may not have been described in detail above. Some of them include: –

• Game drives to other national parks in Congo like Maiko which is near the capital Kinshasa.
• Visiting water bodies like the great river Congo – or Lake Kivu with its beautiful islands and boiling methane gas.
• Visiting the Livingstone and Boyoma Falls
• Hiking mountains like Nyamuragira (near Nyiragongo) which is Africa’s most active volcano.
• Visiting stone age caves like Dimba, Matupi , Thysville and Kakanda.
• Visiting the Okapi Wildlife Reserve