Salonga Congo National Park is home to Africa’s largest tropical rainforest and reserve located in the heart of the Congo River basin.  The Park is just 100km south of Boende and between the cities of Kinshasa and Kisangani.

It was first established as a nature reserve in 1933 but later was declared a national park in November 1970. In 1984, it was listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site although in 1998, it became a Heritage Site in danger due to civil wars in the area and increase animal poaching.

The entire park covers am estimated 3, 600,000 ha on a lowland plateau crisscrossed by several rivers and dense rain forest gallery.  There are two sections in the park with the north in the Equateur province and the south block located in the provinces of Equateur, Ksai and Bandudu. Much of the park is a tropical rain forest although a few parts especially the river beds and deep valleys have marsh swamps.

The Park‘s two sectors run along a series of parallel southeast-northwest trending river watersheds, covering three types of landscape: low swamp-forested plateaux, river terraces and high dry-forest plateaux, each with its distinct vegetation. In the northern block, between the Lomela and Loile rivers, valleys in the west are large and meandering with marshy banks. In the higher land in the east, the valleys are deeper and rivers may run below cliffs up to 80m high. The southern block lies between the Luilaka and Lula rivers. Soils are a thin humus layer over clayey sands with several lateritic flushes. In the lower western valleys up to half the soil cover is hydromorphic.

Wildlife

There are several species of wild animals in the park and the most importantly the dwarf chimpanzees also called bonobo. These primates are the endemic to the southern Congo River basin rainforests. The other species of mammals in Salonga National Park include long tailed pangolin, congo aquatic civet, pygmy buffalo, bushbuck, sitatunga, aquatic chevrotain, bush pig, yellow backed duiker, Angolan mongoose, golden cat, giant ground pangolin, tree pangolin, leopard, elephant, hippo, okapi, dwarf crocodile, bonobo, side stripped jackal, serval, red river hog  and the cape buffalo among other species.  Other primates;  endemic black  colobus monkey , West African red colobus, dryad monkey, golden bellied mangabey, red tailed monkey, potto, mona monkey, Allen’s swamp monkey, Thollon red colobus and the dwarf bush baby among others

Some of the birds in the park include the cattle egret, congo peacock, black stork, black-bellied bustard, grey parrot and the yellow billed stork among many others. More than 300 birds are recorded in the rain forest of Salonga National park while half of which are residents.

Travel Guide

Salonga National Park lies in the equatorial region and thus receives nearly 1700mm of rainfall every year with flooded region for most of the days. The dry season is June to August and is the best time to visit the park.

There are airstrips at Mundja, Monkoto and Anga that receives charter and private flights to Salonga National Park for most part of the southern section. Some sections of the park are practically inaccessible except by boat.

Located south east of the country, Upemba National Park is named after Lake Upemba that borders the park to the west in Katanga Province. Other park boundaries are marked by Lualaba river-Upper Congo River also in the west. The park lies on Kibara plateau which is 1750m above sea level thus covering more than 11,500sq km. Grasslands, wooded grasslands, riparian forest and swamps define the vegetation in the park.

The rainy season brings floods to the park with temporary swamps filling up with water and permanent water ponds over flowing. An average of 1200mm of rainfall is recorded for Upemba Park and the Lake basin every year with the heaviest rains in February and March In the dry season, the grasslands often catch wild fires due to intense heat and winds.

Lake Upemba

This Congo River Lake measures to the depth of 3.2m although its waters flacutate according tot the seasons and rainfall amounts. The water level is high during March to June while the dry season of October to January drains the lake as animals also visit for some water to drink

Wildlife

There are several birds in the Lake Upemba basin with notable species like Wattle crane, Chestnut owlet, bee-eater, Racket tailed roller, shoebill. Dickinson’s Kestrel, barbets, Angola Lark, Cisticola, Souza shrike, honeyguide greenbul, leaf-love, Warblers, Nicator, Miombo rock thrush, flycatchers, sparrow weaver, paradise, seed eater, firefinch and many others.

One of the popular National parks and reserves in DR Congo, Virunga National Park is located on the slopes of the Virunga volcanic mountains. Formerly referred to as Albert National Park, this Congo Park is bordered by Virunga Mountain in the south, Rwenzori Mountains in the north, Volcanoes National park (Rwanda) and Rwenzori National Park Uganda respectively. Other national parks in the neighborhood include Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.

The park covers 700sq km and was established in 1925 becoming the very first gazetted national park in Africa. In 1975, the park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site which protects the endangered mountain gorillas that share a habitat as far as Rwanda and Uganda.

These include Africa’s two most active volcanoes, Nyamuragira (3,068m) and the neighbouring Nyiragongo (3,470m), which alone account for two-fifths of the historical volcanic eruptions on the African continent.

More than 2000 higher plants have been identified, of which 10% are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Approximately 15% of the vegetation are Afromontane forests. the park protects both tropical rainforest and eastern steppe species, and its range of altitudes adds to the habitat variety. The diversity includes: bamboo and Hagenia forest on the mountains; equatorial forest along the Semiliki; wooded savannah of the Rwindi; steppes; various low savannahs; swamps and transitional habitats; dry thick forest; Neoboutonia macrocalyx forest on the lava plains; wet thick forest; alpine forests; and sparse vegetation above 4,300 m comprising mainly lichens and spermatophyta, although Graminae have been found growing at over 5,000m

Wildlife

There are several mammals in the park but the most popular are the giant gorillas. The Park is home to two species of gorilla-mountain gorilla and the eastern lowland gorillas. An estimated 22 species of primates are found in the park with other species like eastern chimpanzee. Other mammals in the park total to 218 species and they include the buffaloes, forest elephants, pygmy, defassa waterbuck, warthog, kob, hippo, buffalo, forest hog, bong, okapi, giraffe, Rwenzori duiker and others. More than 706 birds (including forest ground thrush, Nahan’s francolin, shoebill and papyrus warbler among others) , 109 reptiles and 38 amphibians are recorded in the park

Activities

Some of the adventures in the Virunga National Park include gorilla trekking safaris, mountain climbing at Nyirangongo Volcano and Rwenzori and also trekking for Tongo Chimps-a habituated chimpanzee family in Tongo hills in southern Virunga National Park. It is important to have and book your gorilla trekking permit in advance before you arrive at the park entrance.

Accommodation

Lodging and accommodation for tourists in the park is available from Mikeno lodge which is one hour drive form Goma town, camping at Senkwekwe Gorilla centres, Bukima partrol post for camping facilities and Nyirangongo crater cabanes for hiking adventures.

Garamba National park is located in the north eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of the oldest national parks in Africa established in March 1938 and today is listed as an endangered habitat on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

The park is bordered by Southern Sudan to the north east and occupies an area of 4020 sq km. the park’s vegetation is mainly made of grasslands, papyrus marshs, savannah woodlands, and riparian forests . It is estimated that there are approximately 1,000 vascular plant species, of which some 5% are endemic. Rivers Aka, Garamba and Dungu are part of the water catchment system in Garamba Park.

Wildlife

The park was named on the list of endangered parks in Africa since more activity by poachers for white rhinos and elephant ivory was on the rise. Some of the mammals in the park include savannah giraffe, forest elephants, hippo, forest buffalo, waterbuck, olive baboon, hartebeest, colobus monkey, kob, golden cat, warthog, bush pig, roan antelope, mongoose, de brazza monkey, chimpanzee, colobus monkey, vevert monkey and the endangered white rhinos.

Kahuzi-Biéga National Park is another national park in DR Congo that is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. This park is found in eastern DR Congo on the foot hillsof the extinct volcanoes of Kahuzi and Biega that stand to a height of more than 3,308m and 2790m aboce sea level respectively.

The eastern border of the park is marked by Mitumba Mountains, the Great Rift valley forms the western border of the park with Congo rain forests for the Zairean central basin. Riveres Lungulu and Luka flow in the park both draining in Lualaba river.

Since the area is deeply mountainous and with deep v-shaped valleys, there is a wealth of wild vegetation mainly of high-altitude forests, swamps, bamboo forest, peat bog, water logged forests and heather among other exotic forest species and plants.

Wildlife

The eastern lowland gorillas are the major tourist attraction in Kahizi-Biega National park. There are 200-300 gorillas in this park living in the high altitude zones of 2100-2400m above sea level. Some of the gorillas however move to the low altitude zones and rainforests. Kahuzi-Biega National Park is where Dian Fossey first saw wild gorillas. It is the first park to allow tourists to get near them, for a price that provided local people with a good living. It is very important to have your gorilla safari in Africa and trekking permits processed before arrival at the park.

Other mammals in the park include duiker, eastern chimpanzees, black & white colobus monkey, forest hog, lesser galago, Alexander bush squirrel, forest buffalo, owl faced monkey, Ruwenzori otter shrew, water civet, giant genet, Maclaud  Horseshoe bat, Mt Kahuzi Africa climbing mouse, forest elephant, Tana river red colobus and the African forest elephants among others.

The park is a rich birding habitat with more than 220 birds of which 42 are endemic to the region. Some of the birds recorded in the park include Rockefeller sunbird, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Crimson wing, African green broadbill, Congo peacock, Alberitne owlet, Chaplin mountain babbler, paradise fly catcher, olive greenbul, Kivu ground thrush, and many other species

Getting there

The park is 50km west of Bukavu, a town on the eastern border of DR Congo, Lake Kivu and Rwanda. The park entrance is at Tshivanga on the eastern side of the park.

Accommodation

There is a tourist hut and camping site near the main gate at Tshivanga offering basic wild accommodation and camping.

Maiko National Park is found in the remote regions of north eastern DR Congo in the states of Nord Kivu, Maniema and Orientale. This park occupies more than 10,800 sq km of thick rain forests. North of the park is Okapi National park which is popular for the okapi and other animals.

It was established in November 1970 and is one of the most important habitats for the eastern lowland gorillas of Congo.

Wildlife

The park’s wildlife includes the eastern lowland gorillas, okapi, forest elephants, Congo peacock, chimpanzee, bongo and the Congo Peafowl. There are an estimated 800 gorillas in Maiko National Park making it one o f the richest gorilla habitat in Africa. The park’s gorillas are an endangered species whose conservation is supported by the Fossey Fund since 2003.

This park in north eastern region of Ituri DR Congo is sometimes recognized as just a wildlife reserve. Okapi National Park is named after the endangered antelope species Okapi that only live in this area of central Africa.

The park is dominantly filled by the Ituri forests which mark the boundary with Sudan and Uganda in the east and thus occupy more than 70,000sq km. the park only occupies a fifth of the forest area which is 14,000sq km.

The forest is drained by three rives Epulu, Nepoko and Ituri which also meander through the reserve area.

Wildlife

More than 4000 African forest elephants are recorded in the park, together with 5,000 okapi antelopes and 2,000 leopards. Other animals in the forest include chimpanzees, bonobo, crocodiles, water chevrotain and forest buffalo. The reserve also nests more than 300 species of birds.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the largest countries from central Africa. It is actually ranked the second largest in Africa after Algeria.  Commonly referred to as DRC OR DR Congo, this nation is most popular for its mineral and unfortunate history of civil wars and unrest.

It shares borders with Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi in the east, Central African Republic & Southern Sudan in the north, Zambia and Angola to the south, Republic of Congo in the west and the Atlantic Ocean also covers the coastline to the west. Lake Tanganyika however marks the border of DR Congo with Tanzania in the south east

History of DR Congo

The first settlers in DR Congo lived around 650 BC and created settlement near the fertile banks on Congo River. History of the Bantu People of Africa that occupy Eastern and Southern Africa is traced from the Congo river basin areas of Cameroon, DR Congo and other parts of Central Africa.

Congo has thus been around since the years of the early explorers and missionaries such as Dr. David Livingstone in the early 18^th century. Many early explorers such as HM Stanley were sent to trace the origin of Congo River but such expeditions fell short on the rise of the colonial Era.

King Leopold II of Belgium sought major interests in Congo and his move to secure the nation for his monarch marked the beginning of the infamous Scramble of Africa. In 1848 to 1850 Leopold tries to sign as many treaties with the local chiefs in Congo tricking them into handing over their land for cheap gifts and cloths. In the conference of Berlin 1885, Congo was claimed under Belgium and was thus called Congo Free State or Belgian Congo later in 1908.

Rubber trees were grown in Congo Free State and this marked the start of ruthless reign of Belgian’s Leopold as many people were brutally made to work to produce rubber for the cars and automobiles in Belgium. Belgium took over the country from the king in 1908 and named it Belgian Congo as a result of increased pressure to suppress the bad acts and oppression of the natives in the former Congo Free State.

Congo also participated in the world wars and in 1948 worn a series of wars against Italy in northern Africa. The search for independence soon began by 1958 under leadership of Partrice Lumumba. Many political parties sprung up in 1960 and on 30^th June 1960, Republic of Congo attained its independence from Belgium. Two nations were created in middle congo and other parts- Congo Leopoldville and Congo Brazzaville each named after their capital cities.

The early 60s were filled with political unrest and discontent among the highest political leaders. Mobutu, then chief of Army took over Congo with support of the army and changed the name to Republic of Zaire. A few changes came in 1970 with the different cities and towns renamed- Leopoldville became Kinshasa now the capital of DR Congo. Other cities whose names were changed included Kisangani (Stanleyville), Lubumbashi (elisabethville) and Mbandaka (Coquihatville),

In the 1990s there were demands for political changes and in 1996, Rwanda and Uganda made invasions and civil wars in eastern Zaire in the disguised desire to conquer the mineral rich Zaire region. In 1998, the country was taken over by Laurent Kabila with the help of the Rwandan and Uganda armies returning its name Democratic republic of Congo. The many political struggles were based on the desire to keep mineral deposits in the north and eastern parts of DR Congo such as Diamond, coltan, zinc and copper.

The long history of unrest has led to many deaths, tribal massacres and forced migration of the natives of Congo into Uganda and other countries.

People and Culture

DR Congo is one of the largely populated countries in Africa with nore than 65 million people. There are an estimated 250 tribes and ethnic groups in DR Congo but the biggest are the Kongo, Mongo, Luba and Pygmies from the congo rain forests.

The widely spoken languages include French, Lingala, Kongo Tshiluba and Swahili although each of the different tribes has unique indigenous languages. French is however the official language used in public administration and public offices.

Christianity is widely practiced in the country largely protestants and Roman Catholics. Other religions practiced include kumbanguism, animism and other obscure religious beliefs with traditional roots in Congo.

The country boosts diversity in culture with roots from the different tribal groups. Notable features include dressing, music, art and lifestyles. Some of the popular musicians who rose to fame in DR Congo and beyond include Kofi Olomide, Papa Wemba, Tshala Muana Awilo Longombaa and many others.

Tourism and Attractions

The landscape is largely made of rolling hills and lush valleys. On the eastern borders are active volcanoes such as Nyamirunga and another that have exploded more than twice in the last decade. The central and eastern parts are covered under dense rain forests are a habitat for different species of mammals and primates such as gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobo, and vervet monkeys among others. Other animals in DR Congo include hippos, African elephants, rhino and many others.

The country has 5 national parks that have been gazetted as World heritage sites under UNESCO and they include Garumba, Salonga, Okapi reserve, Kahuzi-Bienga and Virunga National Park.  There eastern border shared with Uganda and Rwanda is famous for the Mountain gorillas, an endangered primate species. The country’s tourism sector attributes 40% growth to Gorilla safaris and gorilla tracking tourism.

The Congo River is dotted with several rapids, waterfalls, dense riparian forest with endemic tree species and has sustained Agriculture and fishing activities in the country.

Travel Guide

The country is accessed by using ferry, road and air. There are flights to Kinshasa N’djili International Airport from Paris, Addis Ababa, London, Nairobi, Brussels and South Africa every week using international airlines such as South Africa Airways, British Airways, Kenya Airways, SN Brussels, Ethiopia Airways

There is a ferry for bulk goods and passengers from the Atlantic coast in the south west. Boats are available to cross Congo River. Alternatively, catch a train from Johannesburg to Lubumbashi. You can also travel by road using bus or private car crossing through the different border points.

Hotels and Accommodation is available in the capital Kinshasa while other parts of the country are not very secure for the evening!

The best time to visit DR Congo is the dry season which runs December to February in the northern part s while April to October is best for southern areas. Increased chases of showers and thunderstorms as you travel inland and further into central Congo.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is located in the heart of Africa sheltered by dense tropical rainforest that stretch across its borders in north east for Rwanda and Uganda. The rich tropical rainforests are home to some rare endemic species like Chimpanzee, mountain gorillas, okapi and the white rhino.

Tourist Attractions in DR Congo

Although rarely visited, the country is gifted with several game parks such as the Virunga volcanoes park it share with Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in DR Congo is quite popular in this park and regular sights include the coy Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and some 200 species of wild birds. Ituri forest reserve is occupied by Okapi wildlife reserve home to some 1500 mammals like large populations of the okapi, scenic views of waterfalls from Ituri river and epulu river. Other interesting game parks include Garamaba, Lantoto and Kahuzi-biega national park. Animals here include hippos, savannah giraffe, buffalos, hartebeest, golden cat, leopard, lions, warthog, antelopes, mongoose among other game species. Birds within these parks include herons, ibisis, egrets, bitterns, duck, geese, darters, cormorants, skimmers, shoebills, open bills, ospreys, gulls, francolins, warblers and weavers can also be found in National Parks at Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lake Edward and Albert bordering Congo with Uganda are some other spectacular places for fishing, boat rides, bird watching and schools of hippos. Take some time off and experience the culture and lifestyle of the Batwa people and pygmies living within central Congo forests. Buy your self Congo crafts and sculptures for gift and safari memoirs

Flights to Congo

International travel and arrivals into DR Congo are handled in Kinshasa, the capital city. The city is located near Congo River and is particularly known for its gold mining and fishing communities. N’djili airport is another hub for arrivals and domestic flights.DRC has other airports of about two hundred and other airstrips spread around the country. It’s acknowledged that air is the viable mode of transport and there are other domestic airlines operation and it’s the only way you can tour round  the Democratic Republic of Congo

International and regional airline that service DR Congo include Air France, Brussels airlines, Hewa bora Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Wimbi Dira Airways and other smaller regional fliers. Departures cities in Europe include London, Southampton UK, direct flights to Kinshasa from Paris and other African major towns like Nairobi Kenya , Johannesburg South Africa, Entebbe, Accra Ghana, Lusaka Zambia .

DRC is famous for its four worldwide airports and these include Bangoka international Airport offering services to the middle town of Kisangani, Lubmubashi international Airport serving the southern provinces and Goma international Airport in the region of Goma in the south of the Country

Book your air tickets to Congo and find cheap Congo flights from different websites that offer cheap travel fares into Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Luano and also Kolwezi airport. Travel in the low season January to March for the cheap DR Congo Flights and also in April to September. There are also some Congo tour and travel operators who can book and arrange cheap flights to DR Congo as part of your DR Congo safari and tour package.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is found in the heart of Africa sharing boundaries with Congo Republic, Rwanda, Sudan, Angola, Central African Republic (CAR), Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda…it is really a big country. The country is embedded in awesome tropical rainforests stretching to the borders of Rwanda and Uganda, scenic volcanic mountains shared with Rwanda, mineral rich regions such as Katanga, and the lower Congo River basin that sustains wildlife within the DR Congo. Tourist on DR Congo holidays and travel should look forward to a fascinating country and more so embrace mountain gorilla trekking in south eastern Congo

Tourist Attractions

There are a few national parks in DR Congo with Kahuzi-Biega National park and Virunga National park from Kivu being more famous than others. These share boundaries with Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda and are particularly protected areas for mountain gorillas.

Nyirangongo volcano is the home of Mountain gorilla trekking in Congo in Virunga National park. Other national parks in DR Congo from the Congo Basin area include Garamba, Salonga, Okapi wildlife reserve and Maiko National park

The Congo River basin occupies a large part of Congo fringed by lush rain forest. Take a cruise on the river Congo in a boat from Kinshasa to Kisangani.  Epulu river is a tributary off the Congo river and is good for fishing.

The “Academie des Beaux-Arts” is often considered a touristic site and is in itself and with its gallery a good place to meet the famous artists of this country. The central Market of Matonge in Kinshasha is a fascinating place to visit, good for fresh food supplies, souvenirs and gift items.

Other interesting places and tourist destinations in DR Congo include Kisantu botanical gardens, Symphonies Naturelles in Kinshasha and AAC Bonobo Nursery Sanctuary in Kinshasha. This sanctuary protects and cares for orphaned chimps, Bonobs (pygmy chimps) and other endangered apes that are rescued from poachers.

When to go

DR Congo tours are perfect all through the year. However remember that it lies in a tropical equatorial region with high records of rainfall. The region is malarial zone and you need your Malaria drugs and prescription. It is not safe in any way to visit Congo by your self, get DR Congo tours and travel packages from different Congo tours and safari operators inclusive if DR Congo flights, hotels in Kinshasha or from any other city a

Enjoy your DR Congo tours and holidays