Considered one of the world’s seventeen “megadiverse” nations, the Democratic Republic of Congo is home to a cast of characters suitable for any traditional African safari. The continent’s “big five” – elephants, leopards, lions, rhinos and buffalo – can all be found here, as well as the world’s only wild population of bonobos.
Virunga National Park, a haven of biodiversity which contains more bird, mammal and reptile species than any other protected area in Africa, has everything from glaciers and lava flows to forest and savannah found within the park’s borders. Perhaps best known as being one of the last places to see mountain gorillas in the wild; the habituation of a handful of gorilla family groups living in Virunga allows travellers to spend time in close proximity with these great apes. Gorillas are far from the only wildlife experience here; a huge variety of birdlife can be seen filling the skies above Virunga, including pelicans and flamingos that hunt for fish in Lake Edward. The Ishasha River, which drains into the lake, attracts a variety of large land mammals and is a great spot for sightings of tree-climbing lions, wallowing hippos, herds of elephant and buffalo. The endangered okapi, a cousin of the giraffe, inhabits the valley below the Rwenzori Mountains to the north.
Weighing upwards of 200kg, the imposing eastern gorilla is the largest of all primates, and is split into two subspecies: the mountain gorilla and the eastern lowland gorilla, both of which are listed by the IUCN as critically endangered. Despite their size, strength and ferocious-looking fangs, gorillas subsist almost entirely on fruit and vegetation and are inherently wary of humans, even to the point of shyness.
Mountain gorillas, as their name suggests, inhabit Virunga’s forested volcanic mountains and the roving groups of between five and 30 individuals can be found at high altitudes, ranging from 7,000 to 14,000 ft. Eastern lowland gorillas, the larger of the two subspecies, are found within Kahuzi-Biéga National Park on the western side of Lake Kivu, a large body of water which abuts onto the southern edge of Virunga. Virunga National Park and the surrounding areas offer opportunities for tracking down and spotting both species of gorilla, with a number of groups having grown accustomed to our presence through years of habituation activity.
Currently being habituated close to Virunga’s park headquarters, DRC is also home to around 40 percent of the world’s chimpanzees which you can track in Virunga National Park.
Closely related to chimps, and to humans, DRC is the only country where bonobos live and the world’s only bonobo sanctuary exists in Kinshasa. These small, peaceful and highly sociable apes are tough to see in the wild.
A unique opportunity to track the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Led by experienced gorilla trackers and guides, this safari will take you face to face with several habituated gorilla families, giving you the chance to observe the behaviour of these captivating creatures in their natural environment.
From 12000 per person
Located in the north-west region of the Republic of the Congo, discover two unique camps inside the pristine Odzala-Kokoua National Park, and a third on a private concession bordering the national park. This is a lowland rainforest characterised by a network of bais, rivers, marshes and swamps. This vast and truly wild region, with its wide range of landscapes and habitat, is home to an incredible diversity of life. Forest elephant, leopard, bongo, forest buffalo, giant forest hog and hippo live alongside the greatest density of western lowland gorilla in Africa.
From 12400 per person
The safari of choice for primate enthusiasts, this epic journey will give you the chance to track both mountain gorillas and western lowland gorillas on six separate trekking excursions (with the possibility of a seventh trek added in for good measure).
From 23400 per person
Track endangered western lowland gorillas, observe forest elephants, bongos, and mangabey monkeys, and join the local Ba'Aka tribe on a net hunt in the dense rainforests of the Dzanga Sangha reserve. Journey to the rainforests of the remote Dzanga Sangha Reserve on this pioneering safari to the Central African Republic. Dzanga Sangha is one of the few places in the world where you can track habituated western lowland gorillas, and is also home to forest elephants and the elusive bongo antelope. Join the local Ba’Aka people as they hunt and gather medicinal herbs, and trek through pristine rainforest in search of colourful birdlife and mangabey monkeys. Staying in the comfortable yet basic Sangha Lodge, this safari is perfect for adventurous travellers hoping to get off the beaten track for incredible wildlife experiences.
Take in the highlights of Rwanda and Tanzania tracking the gorillas and big game of East Africa. This beautiful 11 day safari explores the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater and famous Northern Serengeti, before flying to Rwanda to track the magnificent mountain gorillas. Staying in fantastic accommodation throughout, and offering some of Africa's best wildlife experiences, this is a wonderful safari for those who want to see the best bits. This highlights safari can also be done in reverse, starting in Rwanda, giving you the option of a beach extension to the stunning Tanzanian Coast or 'spice island' of Zanzibar for a bit of relaxation after your adventure.
These elephants are a distinct forest-dwelling subspecies and are found in the dense rainforests of the DRC.
Often referred to as the "forest giraffe," the okapi is native to the dense Ituri Rainforest in northeastern DRC. It's a unique and elusive species.
The DRC's numerous rivers and lakes are home to large populations of hippos and crocodiles.
The country boasts an impressive array of bird species, with some rare and endemic species in the Ituri Rainforest and other areas. The Congo Peacock is the national bird of the DRC, and it's known for its striking blue plumage. You can also find the Great Blue Turaco, African Grey Parrot, black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Shoebill, African Fish Eagle and African Pitta.
The DRC's avian biodiversity is vast and includes a wide range of species, from colorful forest birds to raptors and waterfowl. Birdwatchers and ornithologists have a lot to discover in this country, but the conservation of these species and their habitats is critical due to the various threats they face, such as habitat loss, deforestation, and the illegal wildlife trade.
