Democratic Republic of Congo – Interestingly in the news most of the time for the wrong reasons, the country is known for its breadth of biodiversity and natural richness, which includes the largest area of primary rainforest in Africa. A journey to the heart of DR Congo is off the trodden path somewhat, but this often results in a friendly welcome and some heart-warming interactions with the local host communities.
Journeying to DR Congo has lots of potential for exploration for pioneering explorers looking for unique African holiday experiences.
DR Congo perhaps isn’t for the first time African traveler, but the country offers some amazing wildlife viewing and cultural experiences. In this part of the world, you have got access to track the only habituated lowland gorillas, wild chimpanzees, walk with the elephants, the birding experience is number one to none in Africa and a variety of other endemic forest fauna and flora makes this a must-see destination.
Culturally, the Congolese have rich traditions that remain important in their modern-day world and a real sense of character and charm owing to their rich French colonial heritage. French also being the national language, though there is still a strong sense of African identity that coexists alongside this.
This cultural fusion is more evident than in the capital city of Kinshasa, where the hustle and bustle of market life splash the lively colors of the day. In DR Congo, children’s ways of playing in the streets are the norm welcoming the balmy nights that provide an atmospheric African setting for Congolese music.
The beauty of the country spans beyond the banks of the riverfront, the calmness of a lake, the misty volcanic terrains, or majestically in the density of the equatorial rain forest. DR Congo is a country where only a privileged will have had the honor of visiting as an explorer rather than a tourist.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is an intrepid destination for the well-seasoned traveler. This comes with the best chances to experience some of the most beautiful natural spots in Africa, and see some incredible wildlife arenas.
Fascinating activities – Take a walk through the dense jungles, swim in natural pools, take boat trips down the rivers that never end, and also, don’t miss tracking the gorillas.
Explore – A journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo isn’t only about the wildlife, but their habitats too. The experiences are wonderful, with a rich cultural blend to be had; explore the traditional markets, indulge in numerous ports and cities, or simply just take it easy.
Rare wildlife – Track lowland gorillas, enjoy walking safaris to see forest elephants and even night drives to see the nocturnal wildlife species.
The environs around Goma have striking and natural scenery consisting of forests, lakes, hills, and misty mountains. Being a tourist hub owing to its location just a couple of kilometers from the Virunga National Park and the beautiful Lake Kivu with its culturally rich islands, Goma makes Eastern DR Congo to remain competitive with the rest of East African countries. A key feature that should not be missed is majestic and towering like a sentinel, the Nyiragongo Volcano. Goma also has restaurants, museums, and theaters, as we shall see later. If you are in Goma or planning to visit and wondering what to do during your free time, then this might just be the article for you.
Visiting Eastern DR Congo requires more than just traveling. It also requires being updated with the latest security information as Eastern DR Congo is not your ordinary tourism destination. In spite of being endowed with pristine wilderness, landscape and endemic wildlife Eastern DR Congo’s dark history of civil unrest and conflict still hang a dark cloud that may make you ask about your safety while visiting.
With our up-to-date information, the security situation has normalized and the Virunga National Park opened, but still need to know what you might be getting into. Our advice is that it would be important to remain cautious and know the latest security updates especially if you are planning to explore other parts of the Eastern Congo.
Democratic Republic of Congo offers so much more than just the Gorillas. The vast Virunga National Park covers an area of 7,800 square kilometers and is the oldest national park in DR Congo but in Africa. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site with several mountains like Mikeno, Nyiragongo, Nyamuringa, and the Rwenzori Ranges within its boundaries.
Mountain Gorillas are only found in three countries – The Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. In DR Congo, the Mountain gorillas are only found in Virunga National Park.
The Senkwekwe Centre is the only Mountain Gorilla orphanage in the world. One of the advantages of gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park is that you can actually visit this Centre for free – that is if you choose to stay at the luxurious Mikeno Lodge.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park is one of the many UNESCO World heritage sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is located in the Bukavu in the South Kivu region. The park which is named after two dormant volcanoes – Kahuzi and Biega was established in 1970 is home to Eastern Lowland Gorilla that is the star attraction, Chimpanzees, other smaller primates, Bush Elephants, Buffaloes, Giant Forest Hog and countless antelopes among many other creatures. Visit Lake Kivu lies on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Lake Kivu empties its waters into the River Ruzizi, which then flows into Lake Tanganyika further south. Being on a boat or canoe is the most suitable way to explore the lake. It’s also possible to kayak when the weather permits alongside chilling down on the shores of this tranquil water body with amazing scenery, views, and the reflections of the distant Virunga Volcanoes.
Culinary in Goma is one of the main attractions that any traveler must try. The Lake is home to several fish species including Sambaza, Capitaine, and Tilapia. Sambaza, is a special, the most sought-after meal in Goma, and if fried well, the result is always never disappointing. Capitaine and Tilapia can be served whole or in smaller pieces with spices and lemon dice. To sample these, please spare some time to explore Goma hotels and restaurants for the best experience.
