The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country located in East Africa, bordered by the Central African Republic to the north, the Republic of Congo to the northwest, South Sudan to the northeast, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Rwanda to the east, Zambia to the south and southeast, Angola to the southwest and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is blessed with a vast array of unique experiences and sites that attract tourists from all over the world throughout the year. Over 12% of the country comprises protected areas, including seven national parks that are home to incredible species.
D.R. Congo is a perfect destination with many tourism hotspots, including:
Mountain Nyiragongo
This is an active stratovolcano approximately 3,470 meters above sea level, located near Virunga National Park. The main attraction here is the lava lake within the main crater, which is about 2 km wide and at least 250 meters deep. The lake contains liquid lava that illuminates the sky with a beautiful red mist, mesmerizing climbers.
Hiking is the primary activity on Nyiragongo, with hikers accompanied by trained and knowledgeable guides on the journey to the summit, which typically takes 5-6 hours.
What is the best time to visit Nyiragongo for hiking?
Mountain Nyiragongo is surrounded by tropical rainforest, making hiking difficult in the rainy season. The best time to visit is between June and October, as well as December to February, which are the dry seasons, making hiking easier.
Gorilla Trekking in D.R. Congo
Gorilla trekking is a popular activity in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest national park. With only around 1,063 mountain gorillas worldwide, approximately 300 are in D.R. Congo. Gorilla permits in D.R. Congo are the most affordable compared to Uganda and Rwanda. Trekking times vary depending on the gorilla family being visited, with tourists guided by park rangers.
What is the best time to visit Virunga National Park for gorilla trekking?
While gorilla trekking is available year-round, the dry season is the best time to visit D.R. Congo for this activity. The rainy season, caused by the vast rainforests in D.R. Congo, brings heavy rains that make gorilla trekking challenging, as the paths become slippery and muddy during March, April, October, and November.
Fewer tourists visit during the rainy season, leading to lower accommodation prices, which is ideal for budget travelers; however, proper weather gear is essential due to the heavy rains. Most visits occur during the driest months, July to September, which are perfect for gorilla trekking.
Lola ya Bonobo in Kinshasa
This sanctuary is the only one of its kind in the world for orphaned bonobos, one of humankind’s closest relatives. “Lola ya Bonobo” means “paradise for bonobos” in Lingala, the main language in Kinshasa, D.R. Congo’s capital. The sanctuary hosts over 60 bonobos within 30 hectares of primary forest located south of Kinshasa, near Les Petites Chutes de Lukaya waterfalls, just 20 miles away.
What is the best time to visit Lola ya Bonobo?
The sanctuary is open every day except Monday, welcoming tourists throughout the year from various parts of the world. As with other tourist activities, visiting Lola ya Bonobo is best during the dry season, which includes January, February, June, July, August, September, and December.
Bird Watching in D.R. Congo
Birding is a prominent activity in D.R. Congo, home to over 1,139 bird species, some endemic to the country, making it a prime destination for bird watching. The savanna vegetation, abundant rainforests, and numerous water bodies attract a variety of bird species.
Some notable bird species found here include the Congo sunbird, black stork, African open-billed stork, woolly-necked stork, marabou stork, Congo bay owl, Congo peafowl, river martin, and Prigogine’s greenbul, which can be spotted in locations like Virunga National Park, Lake Kivu, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, and Salonga National Park, among others.
What is the best time for bird watching in D.R. Congo?
Bird watching is best and easiest during the dry season, from June to August and December to January. Migratory bird species are also present between November and April each year.
