The Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s second-largest country and amazing natural wonders are scattered all around it. Some of the very best are safely tucked away inside Congo’s breathtaking national parks. Here are a few that you shouldn’t miss while exploring this country.
Virunga National Park
Congo’s oldest national park has been established in 1925 and it’s home to two active volcanoes—Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira. Virunga is also known for its diverse wildlife and it’s home to a quarter of the world’s mountain gorilla population.
Kahuzi-Biéga National Park
Named after two dormant volcanoes on its grounds, Kahuzi-Biéga National Park is located near the Rwandan border and it’s best known for being home to some of the last surviving Eastern lowlands gorillas.
Salonga National Park
Salonga is Africa’s largest tropical rainforest reserve, covering an enormous area in the Congo River basin, and it serves as a habitat for many rare species including colobus monkeys and bonobo apes.
Garamba National Park
One of Africa’s oldest national parks, the Garamba National Park was established in 1938, and it now serves as a home to some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife species, from northern white rhinoceroses and elephants to hippopotamuses and giraffes.