Wildlife Reserves in Congo

The vast expanse of Congo is home to numerous national parks. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) stands as Africa’s second largest nation and the most expansive in Central Africa. She shares her borders with Uganda, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Angola, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia. Congo boasts an astonishing array of wildlife and lush vegetation, positioning itself to be one of the most sought-after destinations in Africa in the years to come.

Exploring the national parks in Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a unique destination where one can encounter both lowland and mountain gorillas. The nation offers so much more than just its gorillas. Congo presents a thrilling chance to trek up volcanoes, delve into diverse cultures, encounter fascinating tribal communities such as pygmies, and observe the iconic wildlife of Africa. A safari in Congo presents an exciting opportunity to encounter rare species such as the Congo peafowl, bongo, okapi, pygmy chimpanzees (bonobos), and many others. Congo stands apart as it is wild, untouched, and brimming with opportunities for exploration. The Democratic Republic of Congo is among the rare destinations where travelers can immerse themselves in the Africa depicted in classic hunting or safari literature.

Regrettably, even with its abundant natural resources and stunning biodiversity, the Congo has faced ongoing conflicts for an extended period. Many of the national parks in Congo are rarely visited and stay hidden from the world. The Eastern part of the country is notably tumultuous, highlighted by the deployment of one of the largest UN Peacekeeping missions in the world. Although the world has yet to fully uncover the wonders of this stunning country, hope shines brightly on the horizon.

Premier game parks in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Mangroves National Park

Wildlife reserves in DRC The CongoMangroves National Park, also known as Muanda Marine Reserve, is the tiniest national park in the DRC. The park sits proudly by the banks of the majestic Congo river. Spanning just 768 square kilometers, this area was officially designated in 1992. Though compact, the Mangroves National Park has earned the prestigious Ramsar wetland designation due to its incredible biodiversity and extensive mangrove forests. Mangroves National Park stands out as the sole marine park in the country, featuring mangrove forests that are unique compared to those in South Asia. The park boasts a vibrant array of wildlife, including snakes, crocodiles, hippos, bushbucks, southern reedbuck, and various species of primates.

Kahuzi-Biega National Park

This is one of the remarkable UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is located in the southeastern region of the country, close to the town of Bukavu and the shores of Lake Kivu. The Congo game park was established in 1970 by Adrien Deschryver, a Belgian conservationist and photographer. Kahuzi-Biega spans approximately 6000 square kilometers, featuring vast expanses of lowland rainforests, bamboo forests, swamps, bogs, and marshland. The park gets its name from the majestic Kahuzi and Biega mountains. Kahuzi Biega National Park boasts a vibrant array of wildlife, including Eastern Lowland Gorillas, eastern chimpanzees, bush buffalo, forest elephants, owl-faced monkeys, bongos, otters, bush squirrels, aquatic civets, and galagos, among others. The Eastern Lowland Gorilla, often referred to as the Grauers Gorilla, stands as the largest among the gorilla sub-species. Embarking on a journey to trek the Eastern Lowland Gorilla is an exhilarating experience that captivates many adventurers. During a thrilling gorilla trekking expedition, visitors have the option to embrace bird watching, conquer mountain climbing, and explore the vibrant city of Bukavu.

Salonga National Park

Spanning approximately 36,000 sq. km., Salonga stands as the largest forest national park in Africa, nestled along the Congo river basin – positioned between Kisangani and Kinshasa. The park came into existence in 1956 and expanded its boundaries in 1970. In 1984, Salonga National Park earned its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized as one of the premier game parks in Congo. The park boasts a diverse landscape of wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, and lush rainforests. The park is home to an array of remarkable wildlife, including the rare Salonga monkey, bonobos, Angolan slender mongoose, African golden cats, leopards, Congo Peacocks, African slender-snouted crocodiles, long-tailed pangolin, and the elusive Okapi, among others. Salonga is an incredible destination for birdwatching in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Birders can look forward to encountering cattle egrets, black storks, yellow-billed storks, and various other species that are unique to the region. Similar to numerous national parks in Congo, the expansion of tourism has been hindered by instability and difficulty in access caused by inadequate roads. Accessing the park requires a journey along the river Lokoro.

Virunga National Park

A captivating wilderness in the heart of DRC CongoAnother UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its astonishing biodiversity and home to one of the last populations of mountain gorillas. Founded in 1922, Virunga stands as Africa’s oldest national park. Once, it held the title of the largest national park before it was divided into Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. Virunga is situated in the Eastern region of the country, near the borders of Rwanda and Uganda. The park boasts three magnificent volcanoes – Mikeno, Nyamuragira, and Nyiragongo. Due to the persistent turmoil in Eastern Congo, Virunga has been designated as a site at risk. In addition to mountain gorillas, Virunga boasts a remarkable array of wildlife, including the elusive okapi, chimpanzees, forest elephants, African buffaloes, Ugandan Kobs, hippos, giant forest hogs, waterbucks, warthogs, topi, duikers, lions, colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys. In this vibrant ecosystem, you will discover 706 species of birds, 65 species of amphibians, and 109 species of reptiles, each contributing to the rich tapestry of life.

The park offers thrilling experiences such as trekking with mountain gorillas, exploring the world of chimpanzees, embarking on nature walks, and hiking the majestic Nyiragongo volcano. Virunga National Park features a diverse landscape of savanna grasslands, swamps, rainforests, steppes, three majestic volcanoes, and numerous water bodies. The most significant challenges facing Virunga National Park include poaching, the invasion of park territory, and the presence of rebel factions in certain areas of the park. Militias active in the park have launched multiple assaults on park rangers, leading to a decline in tourism. The finding of crude both inside and outside the park could emerge as one of the most significant challenges ahead.

Lomami National Park

Lomani National Park is nestled in the heart of the Lomami River, located within the provinces of Maniema and Tshopo. Founded in 1992, it officially welcomed visitors in 2016. The park spans an impressive 8,879 square kilometers, featuring a variety of hills on the western side and a captivating mix of rainforest and savanna to the south. The park boasts a vibrant array of wildlife, including African forest elephants, bonobos, okapi, Congo peacocks, grey parrots, salonga monkeys, lesula monkeys (exclusive to the park), the elusive dryas monkey, and various smaller primates. The hidden depths of Lomami National Park and its expansive forests are brimming with opportunities for exploration. The pursuit of bush meat and elephant tusks poses the most significant danger to the park. While the heart of the park remains pristine, the majestic creatures roaming the outskirts of the forest have fallen prey to poachers.

Garamba National Park

Exploring the game parks in CongoThis national park is among the largest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Garamba, founded in 1938, has earned its place as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Situated in the eastern region of the country, bordering South Sudan, it spans approximately 5,200 square kilometers. The park is a tapestry of woodlands, vast savanna grasslands, flowing rivers, and lush forests. Garamba boasts a vibrant array of wildlife, including lions, leopards, forest hogs, African elephants, forest elephants, buffaloes, the unique Congolese giraffes, spotted hyenas, chimpanzees, hippos, and various species of antelopes. The Garamba National Park remains a unique sanctuary for the elusive northern white rhinos in the wild.

The park is overseen by African Parks, an organization that also takes care of various national parks across Africa, such as Nyungwe in Rwanda. Rangers from the Congolese government and the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) safeguard the park, yet poachers, refugees, and militias continue to infiltrate its boundaries. Garamba experienced a significant decline in its wildlife due to the tumultuous Congo and Sudan wars of the 1980s and 90s, yet numerous international conservation agencies have joined forces to protect and restore this biologically rich national park. The World Wildlife Fund, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and Frankfurt Zoological Society are among the numerous organizations that have played a vital role in restoring the park. A fresh challenge for visitors to the park arises with the emergence of the Kony Rebels. After being driven from Uganda and South Sudan, they have sought shelter in various areas of the park.

Upemba National Park

This expansive national park is located in the southeastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, adjacent to Kundelungu National Park and nestled within the Lualaba Province. Upemba National Park was established in 1939 and is one of the two oldest national parks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Spanning an impressive 13,000 sq. km, it stands as one of the largest national parks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park serves as a vibrant haven for cheetahs, zebras, buffaloes, lions, leopards, elephants, and the unique Katanga Impala, which is native to this region. Birders can look forward to encountering the wattled crane, shoebills, and spotted ground-thrush, among others. Upemba, much like many national parks in Congo, encounters challenges from poachers and militias. The park is home to human settlements, leading to challenges such as poaching, deforestation, and encroachment on its land.

Kundelungu National Park

Kundelungu National Park, much like Upemba, is located in the southeastern region of the country, specifically in the Haut-Katanga province. Spanning approximately 7600 square kilometers, it began as a private hunting ground within the Game parks of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The thrill of sport hunting came to a halt as the area transformed into a protected national park. The park boasts a vibrant array of wildlife, including crocodiles, porcupines, jackals, buffaloes, small primates, various species of antelope, hippopotamuses, leopards, lions, zebras, and snakes, along with many other fascinating creatures. A major highlight in Kundelungu National Park is the stunning Lofoi Falls. These waterfalls soar to an impressive height of 1,120 feet and stand as one of the largest on the continent. To draw worldwide focus on the vital conservation efforts required to safeguard the park, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has designated it as a Category II park.

Maiko National Park

A captivating park in CongoThis national park spans an impressive 10,885 square kilometers and is nestled in one of the most secluded regions of the country. Maiko began its journey as a hunting reserve before being officially designated in 1949 by the Belgian colonial government. The park offers an incredible opportunity for those eager to encounter the unique wildlife of Congo, such as the Congo peafowl, aquatic genet, okapi, African forest elephants, chimpanzees, and the Eastern lowland gorilla. Maiko National Park is a fantastic destination for discovering the wonders of chimpanzee conservation.

Adventure awaits in the Congo game park.Sadly, even with the incredible variety of life in the park, the presence of rebel activities poses a significant threat and has greatly impacted tourism in the area. Following their defeat in 1964, the surviving Simba rebels sought refuge in the park, turning to poaching and illegal mining as means of survival. Other rebel factions, such as the Hutu extremists responsible for horrific acts during the Rwanda genocide, also made their home in various areas of the park. Amidst the challenges, there shines a beacon of hope as global wildlife organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society, ICCN, WCS, and WWF have rallied to support the park at various times.