The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the best adventure travel destinations in Africa. This is the best place to see both Eastern Lowland Gorillas and the Mountain Gorillas. The country is also home to Okapi Antelope that are native to the country. In Eastern Congo, lies three of the eight Virunga Mountains including the Nyiragongo Mountains, one of the few active volcanoes in Africa.
DR Congo was ranked first among the best budget safari gorilla safari spots in Africa and the most convenient place to watch rare primate species in the world. To experience how beautiful DR Congo is, you must consider exploring the best adventures in the country including Lola ya Bonobos, Virunga mountain gorillas, Kahuzi Biega National Park, Nyiragongo volcanoes, Lake Kivu, Garamba National Park, Kishasha, falls of Zongo, Boyoma Falls and much more. DR Congo is open for tourists year round and am sure you can coincide your plans with all the above tour activities. DR Congo is a neighbors Uganda and Rwanda other two interesting countries to explore in Africa. However, there are endless things to plan for couples, groups and family holidays in Congo.
A Glimpse to the Beautiful and Rich Country of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo is formerly known as Zaire. Some people may have heard of the country from the same movie title in the 90′s or perhaps the heart-breaking news of war and deadly disease epidemic. But behind the politics and poverty there lays a beautiful country that is rich in history, natural resources, and beautiful people.
Brief History of Congo
The rich history of Congolese dates back in 20,000 B.C. And it is proudly the home to the Ishango Bones, one of the most ancient mathematical artifacts in the entire world. This is the oldest lunar calendar and binary counting system. The pre-colonial region of Congo was ruled by federated states. But since its modern founding in 1885 when the country was given as a personal property to Belgian king, his majesty King Leopold II, at the 1884/1885 Berlin Conference, Social justice movements by the Congolese have been engaged in the desire of determining and controlling the people’s own affairs.
Geographic Outlook
The estimated 65 million Congolese is taking refuge to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the heart country of Africa with 9 other bordering countries. The country’s size is similar that to Western Europe’s and considered as the African countries’ 3rd largest. Congo holds the 4th largest when one speaks of population and unlike Japan where most of its population are older people; the majority of Congo’s population are comprised of 18-years old and even younger.
The Bountiful Riches of Congo
When you talk about natural resources, Congo could be considered the richest country in the surface of the earth. Although many may dispute this fact, what they cannot dispute is the reality that Congo’s richness in precious minerals are essentially the reason for the technology everyone has the privilege of experiencing. The strategic location and storage house of minerals is what makes many industries successful – automotive, electronics, technology, military, and aerospace. Under the soil where people walk and hopes to walk on are diamonds, cobalt, copper, gold, tin, tungsten, iron, and the mineral Coltan. Coltan is the key to the efficacy of cell phones, laptops, other technologies and devices that are highly coveted by many industrialized countries across the globe. And by this natural wealth and perfect location in the centre of Africa that Congo has been experiencing uproar for a long 125 years. The intervention and lust for such wealth of many powerful countries has greatly affected the lives of Congolese and Congo itself.
A Bright Future for Mankind
Congolese are such strong-willed and beautiful human spirited that in spite of many adversaries they have faced and still facing, these challenges can be definitely overcome. The agricultural potential of Congo can feed not only the continent of Africa but the whole world by the year 2050 as world’s population is projected to reach a staggering 9 billion. As part of world’s 2nd largest rainforest plays a pivotal part in fighting global warming and climate change. Its hydro capacity can provide electricity to African continent and some to export in the Middle East and Southern Europe.
Top Things to Do
Lola ya Banobos
Viewing the bonobos is Congo is a very wonderful experience that one can’t miss on a Congo safari tour. The rare cute primate creatures are amazing all through and each is special in personality. Lola ya sanctuary is a place worth visiting in Congo and learn something new .Find the bonobo home a few kilometers away from Kinshasha .You only need a day to spend time with these wonderful creatures.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Trekking mountain gorillas in Virunga national park of Congo comes first on every traveler’s bucket list. Seeing gorillas in Congo requires a lot of effort and expense but the experience with the gorillas makes you forget all the hassles that you went through to make it happen. If you are fit and above fifteen year of age its one of the top tourist adventures I would recommend you to do in Congo during your Africa safari tour. Don’t miss a chance to meet up with many other forest creatures that reside in the same forest jungle of Virunga with mountain gorillas.
Low Land Gorilla Trekking
No far from Virunga national is another gorilla’s home low land western gorillas a thing that makes it easy for tourists to track gorillas twice in Congo. If your interest is track both low and mountain gorillas, just head to Congo and get it all done. As if that is the beginning but also at the northern corner of Congo lives another low land gorilla park called Nouabale-Ndoki also a good place to view chimpanzees and wild elephants. The park is very stunning though and known to be the last Eden of earth.
Nyiragongo Volcanoes
Get a real chance to enjoy panoramic views, a night close to the stars and verdant surrounding of Virunga national park and other areas. The only Africa active volcanoes that shows signs of life Nyiragongo is one of the top tourist attractions in Democratic Republic of Congo in Virunga National Park. Adventure waits those willing to trek the great rewarding active volcanoes in Africa.
Kinshasa
Usually capital cities add much to our safari memories and experience , same does when you visit Kinshasa the capital of the Republic of Congo and explore the wonderful sceneries, fishing spots, artfacts,Universities, presidential farm and above all it’s the best place in Africa to enjoy night life.
Falls of Zongo
Looking at water flowing through a jungle canopy to the ground where it cools down from a hilly landscape, Congo falls in Congo is your place to be on your trip to Congo. Find this beautiful falls in just 130 kilometer distance from Kinshasa and carry home memories of the spectacular scenery that sits on Zongo Park.