Interested in having a safari to the Democratic Republic of Congo? Or knowing what Congo has in terms of wildlife and national parks? Here is a List of National Parks in DR Congo, including their unique attractions, location, and activities. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a nation that has had an amazing recovery from the bad past; tarnished by wars, political turmoil, and rebel insurgencies. We can now proudly talk about the rolling hills, security, a wide range of flora and fauna in the different national parks, unmatched cultures, intact vegetation, and the rare wildlife species in her budding conservation areas.
National parks are open for visitors in all corners of D.R. Congo, to reunite with their relatives, the Endangered Mountain Gorillas, mammals, encounter unique birds and make exciting nature stories. A combination of Mountain Nyiragongo; one of the world’s most active mountains, The eastern lowland gorillas and the mountain Gorilla, breathtaking scenery and the giant Lake Kivu at its eastern border.
D.R. Congo is one of the largest countries in the continent of Africa, after Liberia. It is located in central Africa, neighbored by Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Angola, South Sudan, and Burundi among others. Congo has nine national parks, spread across its different regions, though the most famous is Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega national park; home to the rare gorilla species. Lets dive into it. Below is a List of National Parks in DR Congo.
Virunga National Park.
This is the most visited national park in D.R. Congo; offering asylum to the endangered mountain gorillas, only found in the continent of Africa, in the Virunga Mountains. Virunga national park is located in the eastern province, next to the shores of Lake Kivu, the republic of Rwanda and Uganda. It is one of the oldest and largest in Africa, established in 1922, and declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
Tourists who visit this park encounter the endangered mountain gorillas, hike Mountain Nyiragongo; one of the most active volcanic mountains on earth, engage in birding, nature walk, and research among others.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
This is one of the jewels in Congo, located in the eastern province, and marked by swamps, tropical rain forests, and a variety of vegetation types, marshland, and cool climate in a 6000 sq.km land. It was established in about 1970 and declared a UNESCO world heritage site thereafter. The activities in this park include among others; lowland Gorilla tracking, community visits, birding, hiking Mountain Kahuzi and touring Bukavu city.
Salonga National Park.
Located at the shoreline of the Congo River basin, this 36,000sqkm forest cover is one of the biggest in the continent of Africa, marked by grasslands, rainforest, and wetlands among others. The park is gifted with a variety of lush flora and fauna, and mammals such as the Salonga monkeys, leopards, Okapi, African golden cats, bonobos, and the Congo peacock among others.
This park is also home to a variety of bird species notably; black stork, yellow-billed stock, and the egrets among others. Visitors can engage in Birding, nature walk, and primate trekking among others.
Lomami National Park (Parc National de la Lomami).
This park is situated at the Basin of Lomami River, spanning through Tshopo and Maniema provinces. It was established in 19992 but declared a national park on 7th July 2016, and sprawling through, 8,879km2 land.
The park is marked by the lowland rainforests and savannah and harboring the rare Salonga monkeys, forest elephants, bonobo, and Okapi among others.
Garamba National Park.
This park is compacted with diverse woodland, lush grassland, and verdant forest among others, occupying approximately 4,920sqkm land, besides a river shore. This park is home to four of Africa’s big5, plus the rarely spotted hyenas, Congolese giraffes, the northern white rhinos, forest hogs, hippos, cape buffaloes, and the forest elephants among others.
Resident primates in this park include among others include; diurnal primates and the endangered chimpanzees among others. Among the activities to grab include; game viewing, birding, and nature walk among others.
Upemba National Park.
This is located in the southeast of Congo in Haut-Lomami, Lualaba province. It was gazetted in 1939 under the Belgian royal decree. The park is home to zebras, Katanga impalas, leopards, cheetahs, and lions among others.
Maiko National Park.
With the name changed from Bakumu hunting reserve, the park was established in 1949 and covering approximately 10,885sqkm in the remote region of Congo. It is home to the Congo peafowls, forest elephants, okapis, eastern chimpanzees, and Grauer’s Gorillas among others.
Kundelungu National Park.
This park is located in the southeastern Katanga province, next to the renowned Upemba national park. It covers a 7600sqkm, with residents such as Lofoi falls, savannah grassland, buffaloes, hippos, cheetahs, snakes and lions among others.
Mangroves National Park.
This is the only marine park in the country, dominated by a variety of mangrove forests. It is the smallest national park, and one of the most gifted Ramsar sites, with the dominant residents being the manatee.
Visiting any of Congo’s national parks is an amazing decision to take, with a variety of wildlife flora, and fauna. After covering the List of National Parks in DR Congo, we believe you have a full scope of what to expect. Book a Congo trip today and make your dream come to life.
