15 Best Places to Visit in the Democratic Republic of Congo
-
Loading... - Colbie Messina
- 30 Aug 2022
- 90 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC and formerly Zaire) has a history that’s difficult to take in. From the mismanagement of Belgium’s King Leopold, to the corrupt leader Mobutu Sese Seko, to the battlegrounds of Africa’s horrific “world war,” the country has experienced long periods of instability. But the second largest African nation is staging a comeback and by most accounts, is headed in the right direction. There are regularly travel advisories for DRC, but during times of stability, there is a magic wilderness to explore here. The country is covered in UNESCO designated national parks. They’ve got active volcanoes, raging rivers, and all the wildlife you expect of Africa. Caution is needed but the DRC is the literal and figurative heart of Africa. Let’s have a look at the best places to visit in Congo!
1. Kinshasa
The capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as one of the 11 provinces, is Kinshasa. It’s chaotic and buzzing with energy and really huge – with over ten million residents. Established by Henry Stanley in the late 19th century as a trading post it’s now likened to an African New York City. Enjoy a boat ride on the Congo or a BBQ picnic on its shores. The Marche des voleurs, or the city market, is colourful and intense and loads of fun. There is a great street art culture here and if you sit in one of the small cafes off the 30 Juin Boulevard, the artists will come up and show you their pieces for sale. It’s a great way to talk to locals and relax.
2. Lola Ya Bonobo
Lola Ya Bonobo is a sanctuary for orphaned bonobos and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Kinshasa area. The bonobos are hunted for bush meat, and when a mother is killed, the babies are often taken and sold on the black market as pets. The sanctuary tries to recover as many as possible so that they can live out their lives in safety. One of the four great apes, bonobos have been relatively isolated until the 20th century. The sanctuary covers 30 hectares of forest and you can visit the several feeding stations that the staff use to help track the apes. The sanctuary also accepts volunteers.
3. Kahuzi Biega National Park
Named after the 3,000+ metre Mt. Kahuzi and the 2,700+ metre Mt. Biega this spectacular national park is located in the South Kivu Province and stretches from the Congo River basin to Bukavu. Kahuzi and Biega are extinct volcanoes that now afford some incredible hiking. It was created in 1970 in order to protect the Eastern Lowland Gorillas and just ten years later was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gorilla poaching has been a problem for decades but thanks to the park authority, a dedicated education effort is ongoing. Today, the gorillas are still endangered, but their quality of life has improved and conditions are improving year each year. You’ll find incredible biological diversity in the park like endemic plants, elephants, chimps, genet, antelope, and serval.
4. Nyiragongo Volcano
The skyline of Goma in the DRC is dominated by Nyiragongo. This unbelievable, 3,000+ metre volcano last erupted in 2011, destroying up to 15% of the surrounding land and leaving over 120,000 homeless. Erupting 34 times in the last 130 years, Nyiragongo is located at the junction where the African tectonic plate is breaking. The landscape around Goma is striking, with black solidified lava so wide that the place looks like an above ground coal mine. There is an active lava lake inside the crater which can sometimes be visited. The area has recovered nicely from the last blast and you’ll find plenty of new shops and markets to discover. Read More...
