Congo Safaris – Gorilla Trekking : Gorilla Safaris Africa
Congo safari is a perfect gorilla destinations in our final bucket-list for pioneering travelers interested in trekking both mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas in their natural habitats, volcano hiking and bird watching.
Gorilla trekking being one of the most selling activities in Congo because it has the cheapest gorilla trekking permit around in gorilla destinations, climb to the top of Mount Nyiragongo whose summit hosts the world’s largest lava and it is hard to know where to start to describe this very special country.
The country has great tourism potential and the people of Congo are extremely welcoming and friendly to visitors. The country has some of the world’s most beautiful parks that teem with a large variety of wild plant and animal species. Visitors on a Congo safari will bare witness to the stunning landscapes, endless green forest, water bodies and unique species like the elusive Okapi.
Congo Safari – Where to go for a safari in Congo
Kahuzi-Biega National Park
The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is named after the mountains Kahuzi and Biega and is located in the south of Kivu. A UNESCO World heritage site, the Parc National de Kahuzi-Biéga is famous for habituated Lowland gorilla trekking. Unlike mountain gorillas, tracking eastern lowland gorillas gorillas is relatively easy. Gorilla Permits to Kahuzi Biega can be got on short notice and the need to trek long distances on steep mountain slopes is avoided. Apart from gorillas, visitors on Congo wildlife safari can go to spot elephants, chimpanzee and several species of antelope.
Virunga National Park
The Parc National des Virunga is the oldest park in Africa and was formed in 1925 to protect the mountain gorillas. Found near Congo’s border with Uganda and Rwanda, the park is designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. The Stunning landscape and biological diversity found in Virunga National Park make it one of the most beautiful places to visit on earth.
However visitors on a Congo safari can also spot the endangered but elusive okapi – a cross between a giraffe and a zebra. Visitors can choose to marvel at the forests, valleys, plains, savannah and swamps or spot Lions, hippopotamus and over 400 bird species. After mountain gorilla trekking in the Virunga National Park, visitors on a Congo safari can pay a visit to the world’s only mountain gorilla orphanage – the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage near the Mikeno Lodge.
Garamba National Park
Though less visited, this is one of Africa’s great national parks and a UNESCO World heritage site. Visitors on a tour of the park should expect stunning views of unending African Savannah and grasslands. The park is home to giraffes, hippos, rhinoceros, antelope and several species of birds. Unfortunately, the stunning collection of large mammals found in the park is threatened by massive poaching. Caution should be taken while visiting the park on a safari as rebels and armed groups from neighboring countries have sometimes taken refuge in the deeper areas of the park.
Salonga National Park
This is Africa’s largest tropical rain forest reserve covering about 36,000 km2 and is one of the many UNESCO World heritage sites in the country. The sheer amount and variety of fauna and flora makes visiting this park a must. Visitors will spot peacocks, forest elephants, dwarf chimpanzee and the slender-snorted crocodile among many more species.
Mount Nyiragongo Volcano
Congo is a center for volcano hiking safaris. The country is home to Mount Nyiragongo whose summit hosts the world’s largest lava lake. Travelers on congo safari have an opportunity to hike and peep into the larva lake with bubbling fumes which is clearly seen at night.
To have a clear taste of it, travelers have an overnight at the summit of Nyiragongo volcano to clearly witness the dazzling at night. Also, Congo is home to Mount Nyamuragira which is the most active volcano among the Virunga volcanoes. Nyamuragira hiking tours are however discouraged due to the active nature of the volcano which is no safe for travelers.
Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary
Lola ya Bonobo is the world’s only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos and one of the attractive places to visit while in Kinshasa. Lola ya Bonobo means ‘paradise for bonobos’ in Lingala, the main language of Kinshasa. Lola ya Bonobo is home to about 60 bonobos who live in 30 hectares of primary forest. The Bonobos are relatively peaceful compared to their larger cousins but have faced great persecution and are hunted for their meat. The sanctuary helps protect youngsters left orphaned after the killing of adults. Staff and volunteers at the sanctuary feed them and protect them from being sold as pets in illegal markets.
Activities on a Congo safari
There are many other activities that visitors can get involved in while on a wildlife tour in Congo that may not have been described in detail above. Some of them include:-
Game drives to other national parks in Congo like Maiko which is near the capital Kinshasa.
Visiting water bodies like the great river Congo – or Lake Kivu with its beautiful islands and boiling methane gas.
Visiting the Livingstone and Boyoma Falls
Hiking mountains like Nyamuragira (near Nyiragongo) which is Africa’s most active volcano.
Visiting stone age caves like Dimba, Matupi , Thysville and Kakanda.
Visiting the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
Congo safari is full of adventure because Congo has both lowland and mountain gorillas, mountain gorillas can be found in Virunga National Park and lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park. On your Congo Safaris you will not miss the gorilla trekking activity which is a darling for most travelers.
Book your trip with us and find out the beauty of Congo.