Best time to visit Congo

BEST TIME TO VISIT CONGO natural
The Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire, is situated in central Africa. The name Zaire was given by Gen Mobutu Sese Seko, changing it from the Republic of Zaire, which was given after independence from Belgium in 1960.
Gen Mobutu Sese Seko changed the name because he thought that the African name sounds better. The word Zaire means “great river.” The name Congo was derived from the kingdom of Kongo by early colonialists. After the overthrow of Gen Mobutu, the initial name was reintroduced in 1997.
Congo is one of the richest countries in Africa in terms of resources. The country boasts high deposits of copper, diamond, cobalt, gold, and much more.
Best Time to Visit Congo
Congo lies across the equator, therefore experiencing an equatorial and humid climate. The eastern plateau areas experience a montane climate, while the coastal areas experience an Atlantic climate zone influenced by the Benguela current and low elevation.
Due to the size of Congo, being the second biggest country in Africa, the country is divided into four major climatic regions: The tropical climate zone, Atlantic climate zone, Equatorial or sub-equatorial climatic zone, and the montane climate.
Congo is an all-year tourist destination depending on the activity you want to do while in the country. Nevertheless, some months are better than others, so we can look at the best time to visit Congo according to seasons and activities engaged in during these seasons. Most parts of the country have two dry seasons and two wet seasons.
January to February
January to February is the short dry season in Congo. This short dry season is the best time to visit, especially the northern part of the country, as the roads are in good condition. This is also the best time for a photography safari because the vegetation is lush green, just sprouting from the short rains.
March to early June
The wet season starts from March to early June. It’s not advisable to visit the country during this time because the roads leading to most tourism destinations are not in good condition, risking getting stuck in the bush. Tourism activities are disrupted during this time because it can rain while you’re in the middle of an activity, and sometimes it even rains the whole day. The trekking trails are also muddy and slippery, making hiking in rainforests very difficult.
End of June to August
This is the longest dry season, especially in the southern section, and is dubbed as the best time for visiting the country, especially if you’re interested in mountain gorilla trekking or mountain climbing. The long dry season also favors you in terms of wildlife watching, as it’s easy to spot wildlife and traverse the hiking trails because the vegetation is not thick, and the trails are clear and dry.
September to December
Though the rains begin to subside in the northern part of the country, the southern part gets very wet during this time. The roads are not in good condition, and the vegetation is thick, making it hard to spot wildlife.
Unlike wildlife, which is best visited during the dry season, birding is best done during both seasons from November to April when migratory birds from North Africa and some parts of Europe are present in the park. One of the best birding destinations is Virunga Mountains National Park.
The low rainy season is an advantage to budget travelers because mountain gorilla trekking permits are sold at a low cost compared to the dry season. Most accommodation sectors also offer off-season rates to attract visitors to book with them. If you’re going for mountain gorilla trekking during this time, it’s also easy to find the gorilla families because, due to the availability and abundance of food, mountain gorilla families will not forage on higher elevations but prefer the slopes.
The above seasons will be helpful when planning your trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are quite a number of activities you can do while in the country, and some can be seen below:
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorillas are endemic to only three countries in the world: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The cheapest place for trekking mountain gorillas is Congo because they offer the lowest gorilla permit prices compared to Uganda and Rwanda.
Mountain Climbing
Congo is home to two of the most active volcanoes in Africa: Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira. The mountains are part of the Virunga Mountains, straddling across Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. They are habitats to the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and some bird species. The sight of Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira cannot even be well expressed in photos until you visit the place yourself for spectacular views you won’t ever forget.