The Best tours in Congo
Mountain Gorilla trekking and Lowland Gorilla Tours
The D.R. Congo is a home to both the endangered mountain gorillas and the Eastern lowland gorillas making it a must visit gorilla safari destination in the world. Gorilla tours are the main highlights of all visits to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The main areas of interest for Congo safari holiday makers are Virunga National Park for mountain gorilla trekking and Kahuzi-Biega National Park for lowland gorilla trekking.
Virunga National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and notably the oldest African National Park lying suitably along the Eastern part of the D.R. Congo. Virunga was officially founded as a National Park in Congo in 1925 and the main purpose was to shelter a portion of the 1063 mountain gorillas that are left on earth today. This makes it one of the four National Parks in the world where the highly endangered mountain gorillas can be viewed.
Virunga National Park is a vast protected area, occupying up to 7800sq.kms of land area and other than mountain gorillas, it protects diversity of other important wildlife species. These include warthogs, okapis, bird species etc.
Interestingly, Congo offers the most affordable gorilla safaris with gorilla permits costing USD450 per person compared to USD1500 for Rwanda and USD700 for Uganda. The cost of gorilla permits in Congo applies to both Kahuzi-Biega National Park and the Virunga National Park. Lowland gorillas in the D.R. Congo also thrive within Maiko National Park though this protected area isn’t open for gorilla trekking yet.
While on Congo safaris, the essentials for your gorilla trekking or the must haves include valid Congo gorilla permits, a good camera without flashlight, daypack-waterproof, rain jacket/coat/poncho, hiking boots-waterproof. You also need to have medical kit/first aid kit, long-sleeved shirt, passport, yellow fever certificate, trousers, a bottled water, snacks, insect repellents, visa and sunscreen.
Nyiragongo Volcano/Mountain
Nyiragongo Mountain is one of the top attractions in Congo that attracts most of the enthusiastic hikers on Congo safaris. Mount Nyiragongo is one of the stunning and powerful volcanoes in the world, standing on altitude range of 3470m within the Virunga National Park. Nyiragongo Volcano is part of the 8 Virunga Volcano chain set along the Virunga Region and offers the most thrilling hiking experiences to hikers or climbers on Congo safaris. Hiking to the top to witness its boiling lava crater on the summits takes from 4 to 6 hours though this may depend on the climbers’ physical wellness.
Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary
Located in Kinshasa, Lola Ya Bonobo is one of the best places and attractions worth exploring while on Congo safaris. The sanctuary shelters the highly endangered bonobos-the pygmy chimpanzees that thrive only in the D.R. Congo. Lola Ya Bonobo extends to cover an area of 30ha and shelters the orphaned bonobos. The bonobos are amazing creatures of their own and compared to some primates, they are relatively peaceful.
Other places to visit in the D.R. Congo
Garamba National Park
Garamba National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and notably, one of the least National Parks in the D.R. Congo. The Park is most famous for its breathtaking endless savanna and grassland which offer Congo safari holidaymakers a chance to sight variety of wildlife. The Park’s wildlife species to look out for include giraffes, birds, rhinos, hippos, antelopes etc.
Salonga National Park
Salonga National Park in DRC features as the biggest rainforest Park and it is amazingly one of the few designated UNESCO Heritage Sites. The park boasts of its huge concentration of fauna and flora with important species including the slender snorted crocodiles, peacocks, forest elephants, the dwarf chimpanzees and others.
Major activities to do on Congo safaris
The top activities you should expect to engage in while on safari in Congo include gorilla trekking, game drives, visiting the greater River Congo, Lake Kivu; exploring the Boyoma and Livingstone waterfalls, climbing Nyiragongo/Nyamulagira, visit the Okapi Wildlife Reserve or explore the Stone Age Caves of Matupi, Kakanda, Dimba and Thysville.
When is the best time to visit Congo-Central Africa?
Tourists can visit Congo all year round. However, the best time to have excellent Congo safari holiday is during the dry season which occurs starting from December – March, June – October when rains are minimal and the ground is relatively drier. These are the best months of the year if you plan to go gorilla trekking in the Virunga National Park or in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the D.R. Congo.
Cost of a Congo safari
The cost of a safari in Congo varies depending on the days you plan to spend in the D.R.Congo and if you plan to go for budget, mid-range or luxury. A 4 days gorilla and Nyiragongo hike tour may cost you USD1600 per person and it includes midrange lodge for accommodation, gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo climbing experience etc. 6 days Virunga luxury safari may cost visitors about USD2200 per person and includes visiting mountain gorillas in the Virunga National Park, spending a night in a luxury lodge or tented camp. 3 days lowland gorilla tour in Kahuzi-Biega National Park costs about USD1200 and takes you through Eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. 10 days primate safari in D.R. Congo may cost USD2700 per Person for midrange and covers Virunga National Park, Mount Nyiragongo, Bukavu, Kahuzi-Biega. Feel free to select any tours from the range we offer and we shall ably send you a quote. Contact us
Animals to see in Congo
The best animals to see on a Congo safari include; Mountain gorillas in the Virunga National Park or Eastern Lowland gorilla encounters in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. D.R. Congo is blessed with diverse animal species and they include among others okapis, African golden wolf, giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, bohor reedbucks, elands, oribis, lions, giant forest hogs, mongoose, African civet, cheetahs, bonobos and many more. Birds to look for on Congo safaris include flamingos, Congo peacock, lake lufira weaver, Congo bay owl, prigogine’s greenbul, Chapin’s babbler, bedford’s paradise flycatcher, etc.
Is Congo safe for tourists?
Congo is safe to visit for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park but before you consider taking a trip, check with your embassy for current updates about on safety and security matter of the country. D.R. Congo isn’t safe in some areas due to civil unrest, armed conflicts but government and other agencies are committed to restore peace and stability in this extensive country.
Civil unrest in D.R. Congo are commonly experienced and areas to avoid include North Kivu, Ituri Province, Eastern D.R. Congo especially Kasai Oriental, Kasai-Central and Kasai that make up the Kasai Province. The Eastern Congo region and Kasai Provinces also experience ambush, armed robberies etc especially South Kivu, Haut Lomami, Tanganyika etc.
Vaccination requirements for Congo
Essential vaccinations into Congo include the yellow fever vaccine which requires the tourists to arrive with a copy of your vaccination card.
The covid-19 proof of vaccination is also requires recently when crossing into Congo. Other routine vaccinations you can have: Malaria treatment while traveling in tropical countries, influenza, chickenpox, Zika, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis. Others include cholera, Hepatitis A and B, rabies, meningitis, measles. Please check with your local passport health clinic early to ascertain if vaccination is done in your locality.
Packing for a Congo safari
There are lots of things to pack on Congo holiday but they differ depending on what you plan to do while there. If it is gorilla trekking, then the main items you should consider packing for a Congo safari include first aid kit, waterproof hiking/climbing boots, rain jacket or coat, camera that is free of flashlight, long sleeved shirts, insect repellents, toiletries, daypack, safari hat, sunglasses, gardening gloves, snacks, bottled water and a lot more.
Congo visa requirements and fees
Tourists require an up to date passport and visa before arriving into Congo. The Congo tourist visa costs USD105 for single entry and this is valid for 90 days, 30 days of stay. We normally help our clients to obtain their Congo visas when they book a safari into Congo. Congo visas must be obtained early through diplomatic missions except citizens from exempted countries or a country whose citizens can obtain Congo on arrival or those from countries without Congo embassy.
Other important requirements for entry to Congo include valid passports, health form, Negative covid-19 test. On arrival, masks are required to be put on while in public places.
Tipping on Congo safari and currency
Tipping on Congo safari can be done by cash and we encourage visitors to have their currencies exchanged into Congolese franc (CDF). In most safari destinations in D.R. Congo, there are tip boxes for visitors to place their tips. Tipping on Congo safari is done at someone’s own will and how much somebody tips all varies from one person to the other. How best you can tip on safari in D.R. Congo-here is the guide.
Trackers, rangers and porters-while on primate safari in Congo, visitors are led by an experienced park guide or ranger or two to ensure that safety and security while in the wild. A visitor can decide to tip the park trackers or guides for the service rendered and you can tip as an individual or as a group. Hotel and lodge service providers are among the people you can tip. You can tip waiters and waitresses, chefs, housekeepers, maintenance etc for the good service offered.
Safari driver guide-in order for you to reach your destination in D.R. Congo, a driver guide service is needed. The driver guides are among the group who usually benefit from tipping. Tipping driver guides, park guides, site guides, waitresses, waiters etc for the service rendered plays a great role in their lives though you may not see it. The tip you give lets them meet a number of basic needs back in their homes.
