Popular Congo Tours – Best Types 0f Congo Safaris
Gorilla Trekking Safari Tours

Congo safaris & tours take you to is an a unique yet undiscovered gorilla trekking destination, particularly because the country holds two species of gorillas, which more so leave close to each other.
Congo safari tours will allow you to see both the Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park and the mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. Thus, gorilla safaris are the major tourist attraction in the country.
These two gorilla species are also similar to the Western Lowland Gorillas of West African countries like Congo, Angola, Cameroon, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea. The Western Lowland Gorilla species are therefore spread in countries within the Congo basin.
Eastern or Western Lowland gorilla trekking and mountain gorilla trekking is a very rewarding experience in the Congo basin.
Tracking the Eastern and Western Lowland Gorillas will allow you to meet one of the habituated Gorilla families with whom you will spend one hour with.
The Western Lowland Gorilla species/western lowland gorillas can majorly be seen at the Congo Brazzaville.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park
There are 8 habituated mountain gorilla families in Congo’s Virunga National Park and two are in the habituation process.
The habituated Mountain Gorilla groups in Virunga National Park include:
- Kabirizi Family
- Bageni Family
- Mapuwa Family
- Rugendo Family
- Lulengo Family
- Munyaga Family
- Humba Family
- Nyakamwe Family
Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park

There are about 400 Eastern Lowland Gorillas in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park and they live in about 9 groups. 5 of these groups are habituated and they include
- Mpungwe family
- Chimanuka family
- Mugahunka family
- Nganwa family
- Bonnani family
Cost of Congo Gorilla Permits
During Congo tours, foreign citizens pay $400 for a permit while East African citizens pay $200 for a Congo gorilla permit for Gorilla trekking in both Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park.
How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Congo? – How Expensive is Congo?
DR Congo is among the cheapest countries to travel to for your trip experiences in Africa. From transportation costs to the Congo cost of activities and lodges, the country is cheaper compared to other destinations in Eastern and Central Africa.
Below is an average breakdown of the cost for travellers in the DRC.
Visa: The cost of a tourist visa to DR Congo will depend on your nationality and this will range from about $100 to $200.
Other Primate Safaris in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Other than the Mountain Gorillas and the Eastern Lowland Gorillas, Congo is also a great home to many other primates that you can explore on your primate adventures in the country.
You can track the Bonobos at Lomako Yokokala Faunal Reserve.
Other primates in the country include
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Golden Monkey trekking
- Baboons
- Black and White Colobus Monkeys
- Blue Monkeys
- Central African Red Colobus
- Grey Cheeked Mangabey Monkey
Bird Watching Congo Tours – Birding in Congo Safaris
Birding safaris in Congo are arguably one of the best in Africa.
Congo is home to some of the most sought after bird species in Africa including the adding to about 1,185 bird species in the country, 21 that are endemic, 32 which are globally threatened and 3 that are rare.
You can especially see these birds in the natural habitat on nature walks and night walks while in the different birding destinations like rivers, lakes, forest areas etc.
Examples of birds endemic to the DR Congo include the
- Congo Peacock
- Schouteden’s Swift
- Congo Bay-Owl
- Bedford’s Paradise Flycatcher
- Prigogine’s Greenbul
African Grey Parrot
- Lake Lufira Weaver
- Rockefeller’s Sunbird
- Chapin’s Babbler
- Grauer’s Cuckooshrike
- Yellow-crested
- Helmetshrike, among others
Other common birds to see during your Congo safaris include the White-Faced Whistling-Duck, Helmeted Guinea fowl, Flamingos, African Grey Parrot Great Blue Turaco, and the Africa Jacana, etc.

The wild animals of Congo are likewise an interesting expedition especially in the safari parks.
Congo tours take you to a destination home to various wildlife species for example the Gorillas, the forest Buffalo, Forest Elephant species, Lions, Giant Forest hogs, Congolese Giraffes, Hippos, Spotted Hyenas, Giant Forest Hog and various Antelope species, among others.
You can spend time and explore these animal species through various trip activities in the country for example game drives, boat cruises on lakes and rivers, nature walks, birding, hiking, among others.
Tourist Places in the Democratic Republic of Congo
There are various places in the Congo that you can visit and explore during your Congo Republic safari. However, the major Congo National Parks & destinations and places to go to are the national parks, which include:
- Virunga National Park
- Kahuzi Biega National Park
- Odzala Kokoua National Park/Odzala National Park
- Salonga National Park
- Mangroves National Park
- Garamba National Park
- Lomami National Park
- Upemba National Park
- Kundelungu Park
- Maiko Park
- Goma, the country’s capital city
Let us look at some of these destinations in the Congo Republic.
Virunga National Park
The Virunga National Park is the oldest park in Africa, created in 1925.
It was formerly called Albert National Park after King Albert I of Belgium. The park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area which also covers parks in Uganda and Rwanda.
This park stands between Lake Albert (shared with Uganda) and Lake Kivu (shared with Rwanda) and is famous for its biodiversity and primates conservation, especially the endangered Mountain Gorillas.
Its rich biodiversity made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, as it protects about half of the Sub-Saharan treasures of Africa. Among this rich biodiversity, there are 2 active volcanic mountains which are Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano and Mount Nyamuragira.
The endangered Mountain Gorillas and the Golden Monkeys are among the over 300 species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley found in this park, thus making it a rich destination for Congo Gorilla safaris.
Other wildlife in this park are the chimpanzees, monkeys, bird species, the active volcanic mountains, and various butterfly and moth species.
Lake Kivu, Lake Albert, Lake George, Lake Edward the mighty Congo River, the Nile and Semuliki Rivers are other beautiful major attractions in and around the park.
Explore one of the largest national parks in this Republic of the Congo protects the last remaining Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi rainforest.
This park on the western bank of Kivu Lake is a worthwhile destination to discover during your Congo safaris.
The park was designated a UNESCO site in 1997 because of its wide biodiversity, including about 349 mammal species, 136 species of birds, and more than 1, 178 plant species.
Salonga National Park
The Salonga National Park, created in 1970 is one of Congo’s most treasured UNESCO World Heritage Sites which harbors the largest tropical rainforests reserve in Africa.
In this park, you will meet bonobos, leopards, bongo antelopes, dryas monkeys, and black-rested mangabeys, among others.
You can also participate in other activities like nature walks and viewing wildlife, which is one of the places that you go to while on your Congo safari.
Mangroves National Park
Mangroves Park was created in 1992! This is the only marine park in the Republic of the Congo which is also a Ramsar site, protecting an extensive level of mangrove forests.
The park mostly protects aquatic wildlife species like the Manatee, Snakes, Crocodiles, Hippos, and the Southern Reedbuck, etc.
Garamba National Park
Garamba Park was also designated a UNESCO heritage site in 1980 for its protection of rare species like the Northern White Rhinoceroses, Hippos, Giraffes, Giant Forest Hogs, and African Forest Elephants.
With the other biodiversity to find in this place, it is one of the places that you ought to experience when for a Congo safari.
Below are the major attractions to see when you go to visit Republic of the Congo.
1. Congo Mountain Gorillas:
As you will witness during your trip to Congo, this country is also famous for the mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. This explains why Congo gorilla safaris are famous due the remarkable Congo gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. Virunga National Park in Eastern Congo has about 300 Mountain Gorillas out of the remaining 1063 in the wild. This makes it another beautiful destination for Gorilla trekking in Africa.
The other destinations are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which protects the highest gorilla population about 500 members and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both in Uganda, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
2. Lowland Gorillas:
In addition to mountain gorillas, the Democratic Republic of Congo also protects the eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s Gorilla) in Kahuzi Biega National Park. You can therefore go trekking with lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega Park.
The presence of both species makes Congo a famous Africa gorilla trekking safari destination because only here you can trek and compare Africa’s mountain and low land gorillas.
3. Bonobo Monkeys:
There are many other primates like the endemic Bonobo monkeys also known as the Pygmy Chimpanzees. When you visit Congo interior in the Southern forests of the Congo River, you can track and see these rare Bonobos – the closest relatives to humans, and the most endangered species among the great apes.
4. Chimpanzees:
This nation Chimpanzees in her forests and orphaned ones left in sanctuaries such as the Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary near Kahuzi Biega National park. For those that are fanatic for seeing Chimps during their safari in Congo, you can have an excursion to this sanctuary and take an hour interacting with them.
5. Other Primates:
You can see on your Congo trip. These include, Golden Monkey species, Central African Red Colobus, and the Dent’s Mona Monkey. Just like the Gorilla, the Golden Monkey is also endemic to the Virunga region and they are also an endangered species.
6. Wildlife Animals:
Even though Congo wildlife safaris are not as famous compared to Congo gorilla trekking safaris, they are also breathtaking adventures. Common destinations for Congo wildlife safari tours include the Kahuzi Beiga National Park and Okapi Wildlife Reserve. They include Cape Buffaloes, African Elephants, Cheetahs, Wild Dogs, and Jackals among many others.
7. Mount Nyiragongo Active Volcano:
A Mount Nyiragongo hike forms an adventurous part of many memorable Congo safaris. As part of your Congo safari, you can enjoy a day hike to and a night spectating at this active volcano that last erupted on 22 May 2021. It is home to the world’s largest lava lake found in Eastern Congo which makes the Nyiragongo hike in Congo one of the most adventurous activities you can do on a trip to Congo in Africa.
8. Extensive Tropical Equatorial Rainy Forests:
The Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa is widely known for its extensive rain forests that spread to parts of other countries like the Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon. Consequently, this extension creates the second-largest rainforest in Africa protecting a large biodiversity of over 10,000 animal species and 600 tree species. DR Congo has at least 450 mammal species and it is known to be the African country with the highest number of bird species, that is over 1,088 species. All these you can see on your Congo safari vacation.
Major Congo Tour Activities
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is an amazing destination to experience various activities like
- Gorilla trekking
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Birding
- Hiking
- Scenery viewing
- Game drives
- Boat cruises
- Nature walks
Best Time to Visit the Democratic Republic of Congo on Congo Safaris
This Republic of the Congo is a great place to go to all year round!
However, this Republic of the Congo can best be visited in the dry season when the trekking paths are drier thus easier to pass through during your African trip. The dry season runs through the months of December through February and June to September.
On the other hand, the wet season is also an amazing destination to have amazing experiences. Most travelers can enjoy discounted costs on especially accommodation since there are few travelers in the national parks.
What to Wear for Congo Safaris

Comfort is key when choosing what to wear for your Congo tours.
Below are some of the most important clothes to wear for your Congo safaris.
- Long-sleeved shirts and trouserswill protect you from the harsh conditions of the environment, like the weather or insect bites during the day and coldness during the night.
- Strong, sturdy shoes or trekking boots will make your movement much easier and simpler during your walking experience.
- A hat or capewill protect you from the heat of the sun in case it is too much.
- Sunglasseswill likewise protect your eyes from direct sunlight in case there is much sunlight, hence giving you incredible views of wildlife species.
What to Pack For your Congo Safaris
It is also important to enjoy what to wear for your African safaris.
- A sunscreen lotion
- Insect repellant
- A waterproof back bag
- A camera
- Pair of binoculars
- A guidebook
- Snacks and bottled water
Congo Safari Lodges
Congo safari lodges are great for all kinds of travelers, offering budget, midrange and luxury accommodation.
Some of the lodges to stay in during your different Congo safaris are:
- Mikeno Lodge
- Lulimbi Tented Camp
- Tchegera Island Tented Camp
- Nyiragongo, and Hotel Royal
Frequently Asked Questions About Congo Tours – Safaris
Is it Safe to Visit Congo?
The Republic of the Congo is a country that has been affected by various instabilities but that does not mean that it is unsafe.
With the right travel advice, travelers can have an adventurous experience and safe stay in Congo like the other thousands of travellers in the country.
Also, avoid moving in the night in lonely places, especially when you are alone.
What is Congo Famous for?
Congo is a beautiful country, famous for preserving two gorilla species which are the Mountain Gorillas and Eastern Lowland Gorillas.
Where is the Congo Jungle?
The Congo Jungle is found in the Central African area and it spans 3 countries, which are Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
Are there Lions in the Congo Rainforest?
The Congo Rainforest is home to various animal species including the Lions. Other animals in the rainforests include the gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants, and Hippos, among others.
Does Congo Have Safaris? – Why do Tourists Visit the Congo?
Yes, Congo has amazing African safaris for example Congo gorilla trekking safaris, chimpanzee trekking safaris, birding in Congo tour expeditions, mountain climbing adventures, nature walks and scenery safaris of the surrounding landscape, among others.
Accommodation & Food: Accommodation options are important and they range from budget to midrange to luxury. Budget accommodation ranges between $30 to $50, midrange accommodation ranges between $80 to $150 and luxury accommodation ranges between $150 onwards.
Transportation: Transportation options vary from public means, hired or those catered for by your tour company. This will range between $200 to $1000 per week.
Activities: Gorilla trekking, the major activity in DR Congo goes for $400 per person. Therefore depending on the adventurous traveller choices, your activities will cost about $400 onwards.
How Many Days are Enough for a DR Congo tour?
Depending on the number of the experiences that you want, about 3 to 7 days are enough to enough to enjoy a general overview of the DR Congo.
What is the Best Time to Visit Congo?
You can explore Congo tours all year round and spend time with these great apes in the rainforest at any time to gain a deeper understanding of its tourist attractions. However, the dry season from around December through February and June to September are the best to have a remarkable experience.
Can a US Citizen Travel to Congo?
Yes, a US Citizen can travel to Congo as long as they have a visa.
In conclusion, DR Congo is an amazing destination to discover while for your African trips.”
Get the opportunity to enjoy awesome but unique activities like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, birding, etc.
Inquire and book with us your Congo safaris today for an amazing tour experience.