Congo is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa and the second largest in the African continent. The country was formerly known as Zaire but later changed to what we now know as The Democratic Republic of Congo. The Bantu people are the dominant tribal group in the country while Lingala is the main language of communication. The Democratic Republic of Congo was colonized by Belgium and because of that has a heavy French influence. French is widely spoken and is an official language of communication.
Regardless of what is written in the press and the civil wars still affecting the north-eastern part of the country, the Democratic Republic of Congo is a country you must visit in your lifetime. The country has so much to offer and will become one of the leading tourism destinations in Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the few countries in Africa that still has vast areas with pristine and unspoiled wilderness. It is a country that allows you experience the Africa of old. A safari in Congo will take you to discover places rarely visited by tourists, dense forests, giant crater lakes with boiling magma, rare creatures like the okapi, bonobos and the amazing gorillas. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the only country where one can observe both mountain and lowland gorillas in the wild.
The capital Kinshasa is one of the most vibrant and interesting cities in Africa. With over 10 million people of various cultural backgrounds, Kinshasa allows the local people forget and live for the moment. You will find the affluent class living in the more developed areas while the less privileged in vast suburbs. Government offices are built at the center and in secluded suburbs with clean streets and modern infrastructure. Kinshasa has large shopping centers where you can taste spicy Congolese food and buy the authentic African attire. Other places to visit in the capital include the parliament building, the Musée National de Kinshasa and other prominent historical buildings.
Why is Congo lagging behind other African countries despite having vast tourism and other natural resources? The simple answer is political instability. Ever since she got independence, the country has never known total peace. Tourism infrastructure remains poor developed because some parts of the country have limited government control. Small pockets of rebels still operate in the North-Eastern part of the country and this has scared away many tourists. Despite the insecurity and governance issues, the Democratic Republic of Congo is simply irresistible. Every year, thousands of tourists still go to enjoy all that the country has to offer. Gorilla trekking in Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Park draws a lot of visitors but hiking the Nyiragongo Volcano is equally special. If total peace prevailed and more resources are channeled to improving infrastructure, the opportunities for tourism is limitless.
Congo Safaris – Places to go to while on a Congo Wildlife tour
If you are planning to go for a safari in Congo, don’t hesitate. Not every part of the country is unsafe. National Parks like Virunga have invested a lot in ensuring that tourists are protected. An army of Rangers patrol the park and protect tourists at all times. You will come back from your trip with some of the most beautiful memories of Africa. Let’s discuss some of the places to visit while on a Congo safari
Virunga National Park: This is the most visited national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is part of the wider Virunga conservation area which also includes the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. 
Virunga is Africa’s oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its amazing biodiversity. The park is home to rivers, lakes, thick forests, volcanoes (Mikeno, Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo), rare animals like the bongo and okapi. The Virunga National Park is also home to the endangered mountain gorilla. Gorilla safaris are very popular but an equal number of tourists visit the park to observe the largest lava lake in the world (found on top of mount Nyiragongo). Apart from mountain gorillas, Virunga national park is home to African forest elephants, buffaloes, red river hogs, duikers, de brazza monkeys, common monkeys and over 800 species of birds.
Garamba National park: Garamaba is located in the 
north-eastern part of Congo and is one of the oldest national parks in Africa. It is a UNESCO heritage site under the management of Africa parks. Like many national parks in Congo, Garamba remains pristine and undiscovered. A large part of the park is comprised of short savannah grassland hence offering tourists clear views of the park and its amazing collection of wildlife. One can spot rhinos, antelopes, giraffes, lions, elephants, hippos and so much more. Unfortunately, Garamba has been greatly affected by poaching – especially for elephant tusks. Human and rebel encroachment into park land is also a problem for now.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park: This national park is located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of 
Congo. It derives its name from two dormant volcanoes – Kahuzi and Biega. These two mountains are not the only attractive features in the park, there is also the beautiful Lake Kivu adjacent to it. Kahuzi-Biega is home to the Eastern Lowland Gorilla – also known as the Grauer’s Gorilla. Eastern lowland gorillas are the largest species of gorillas. Less than 5,000 remain in the wild. These gorillas are only found in Democratic Republic of Congo (In Kahuzi-Biega and Maiko national park). Kahuzi Biega National Park also has elephants, giant forest hogs, chimpanzees, olive baboons, otters and many other animals. A tour of Kahuzi-Biega National Park is special because you get to experience pristine/unspoiled wilderness.
Salonga National Park: Salongo national park was founded in 1956 and was formerly known as Tshuapa National Park. This UNESCO world heritage area has one of the largest tropical rainforests area in Africa. The park cannot be accessed by road but by water though the great Congo River. Salonga National Park has bonobos, chimpanzees, elephants, peacocks, pangolin, mongoose and many species that are unique to the area. A safari in Salonga National Park is ideal for those who want something different. It will reward nature lovers and those who want to see the beauty of Africa in its raw form. This is where you get to experience the Africa of old – unspoiled and no crowds.
Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary: Lola ya Bonobo means “paradise of bonobo” is Lingala. This sanctuary is located in the capital Kinshasa. Bonobos or pygmy chimpanzee are only found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are the closest relatives to humans along with the common chimpanzee. Extensive poaching for bush meat forced the government and conservationists to open up this sanctuary to protect individuals rescued from poachers or left orphaned. The Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary is one of the most visited places in Kinshasa. The sanctuary sits on 30 hectares of forest hence allowing the primates to live in an environment similar to the forests.
Mount Nyiragongo Volcano: The active Mount Nyiragongo is located within the Virunga National Park. We felt compelled to list it as a separate attraction because of its uniqueness. Mount Nyiragongo last erupted in 2011. During this last eruption, lava flowed out of the summit at great speed reaching Goma town and Lake Kivu in only 10 minutes. This eruption destroyed homes, took away lives and left a mark on over 200,000 people. After cooling and settling down, it was once again opened to tourism. It is considered the most stable and suitable place to observe a lava lake in the world. Hiking to the summit of the volcano not only rewards visitors with amazing sights of a lava lake but also the wider Virunga ranges. If you want to do something memorable, different and extremely rewarding, then you should consider hiking Mount Nyiragongo.
Other activities while on a Congo safari
- Visiting the Okapi Wildlife Reserve and hunting with pygmies.
- Game viewing in other national parks and reserves around the country.
- Relaxing along the shores of Lake Kivu or taking a boat to discover the wild Congo river.
- Visiting the Boyoma and Livingstone falls.
- Climbing mount Mikeno and Nyamuragira in Virunga National Park.
- Discovering the mysterious and ancient caves like Kakanda, Thysville, Matupi and Dimba.
