Democratic Republic of Congo

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Why visit Congo?

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A land of muggy jungles hiding half the world's lowland gorillas, masses of forest elephants, and hooting, swinging troops of chimpanzees; the Congo is on the cusp of becoming one of the finest ecotourism destinations in Africa. Parc National Nouabalé-Ndoki and Parc National d'Odzala are two of the most pristine forest reserves on the continent and between them they are arguably the highlight of the whole of Central Africa.
Despite this impressive resume, the Congo remains an unknown quantity to most outsiders and currently receives very few visitors. But for those ready to notice the call of the wild, and not afraid of adventure, the Congo awaits you.

What does Congo bring in mind?

Basilique Sainte Anne

This modernist 1949 building was the crowning achievement of French architect Roger Erell, who was known for fusing Western architectural ideas with local building techniques. One of the most beautiful modern churches in the world.

Reserve de Lesio Louna The journey to the Lésio-Louna Natural Reserve is an enjoyable two-hour trip by road, from Brazzaville to the northwest of the country. The Lésio-Louna Gorilla reserve is located in the Lefini Forest, in the heart of the Republic of Congo, about 130 kilometers from the capital. The park is dedicated to the protection of the gorillas and their reintroduction in their habitat.

Charles de Gaulle House When Brazzaville was the capital of the "Free France" of the 1940s, Charles de Gaulle had a house built for him, the site of which is popular among visitors till today.

Odzala National Park

Odzala-Kokoua National Park is managed by the Odzala Foundation, a partnership between African Parks and the Congolese Government. In the heart of the world's second largest tropical rainforest, second only to the Amazon, lies a vast expanse of protected frontier forest, Odzala-Kokoua National Park. Situated in the north-west of the Republic of Congo, this 13,546 km2 of pristine wilderness is home to the incredible biological diversity that is characteristic of such an extraordinary and complex ecosystem.

Nouabale-Ndoki National Park Nouabal-Ndoki National Park is a national park in the Republic of the Congo. Established in 1993, north of Congo, it is mostly populated with elephants, apes, ranging from Western Lowland Gorillas to chimpanzees and bongo

Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on the border of Uganda and Rwanda. Virunga is Africa’s oldest national park and is also the continent’s most biologically diverse protected area. The park’s 7800 square kilometers includes forests, savannas, lava plains, swamps, erosion valleys, active volcanoes, and the glaciated peaks of the Rwenzori mountains. Virunga is home to about a quarter of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Garamba National Park Garamba National Park, located in Orientale Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa, was established in 1938. One of Africa's oldest National parks, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Lola Ya Bonobo - Kinshasa

A short distance from Kinshasa (maybe an hour depending on road conditions), this is an exceptional educational place to visit. Lola ya Bonobo is the world’s only organization to provide lifetime care to bonobos orphaned by the illegal trade in endangered wildlife.

Fun things not to miss in Congo

• Brazzaville: The capital city of Brazzaville is situated on the west side of Malebo Pool on the River Congo. Its sights include the beautiful Basilique of Sainte Anne, the colorful suburb of Poto Poto, the Temple Mosque, the markets at Oluendze and Moungali, the National Museum, the Municipal Gardens and the house constructed for de Gaulle when Brazzaville was the capital of Free France.

• Congo Rapids: Venture onto the Congo Rapids. Waterskiing on the Congo and Kouillou rivers is a popular sporting activity in peacetime.

• Fishing: Some good fishing is available at Lac Bleu.

• Linzolo: The first church in Congo was built in 1882 by a French priest and is located in Linzolo, at around 30 kilometers from the capital. The city is also home to the regional seat of the World Health Organization.

• Loufoulakari Falls: Find a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside at the Loufoulakari Falls (held to be the most impressive falls in the region) and the Trou de Dieu.

• M'Bé: The historic village of M'Bé is the capital of King Makoko.

• Play golf: Play golf at the golf course in Brazzaville, the Cité du Djoué.

• Pointe-Noire: The main town on the coast is Pointe-Noire (with its lively evening market), and there are several good beaches close by in the region known as the Côte Sauvage. Around 20 kilometers from the city, are the villages of Loango and Diosso. Loango was the main embarkation port for slaves and it is estimated that more than 2 million people were transported from here. The Gorges of Diosso, spectacular cliffs formed by the erosion of the sea and the wind, are worth visiting.

• Valley of Butterflies: Visit the Valley of Butterflies.

Top Tourist Destinations in Congo

Brazzavile

Founded in 1880 on the Stanley Pool (called Malebo Pool in the DRC) area of the Congo River, 'Brazza' has always been the junior partner economically with Kinshasa (DRC), which tempts and taunts from the other shore; though for travelers it's the more laid-back, and safer, town. Low-key and unassuming, with most evidence of the war years washed away, Brazzaville has a lot of charm and many visitors claim that it's the most pleasant city in Central Africa.

Pointe-Noire

Pointe-Noire is the second largest city in the Republic of the Congo, following the capital of Brazzaville, and an autonomous department since 2004. Before this date, it was the capital of the Kouilou region (now a separate department). It is situated on a headland between Pointe-Noire Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Pointe-Noire is the main commercial centre of the country.