Nyiragongo molten lava, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo

The DRC is a country of vast jungles and dark corners, endangered primates and tribal strongholds, equatorial rainforests and active volcanoes.

They say that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the country around which all other African countries revolve and that you can only know Africa if you know the DRC. Two-thirds of the size of Western Europe and home to nearly 300 different languages and tribes, the DRC is a country of vast jungles and dark corners, endangered primates and tribal strongholds, equatorial rainforests and active volcanoes. It is easy to see the appeal.

Nyiragongo molten lava, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo
Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo
Acacia Tree, D.R.Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo
Eastern lowland (Grauer's) gorilla, Kahuzi Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo
Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

Ideas for a Democratic Republic of Congo Safari

  • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kahuzi-Biega, home to Grauer’s gorillas, as well as a wealth of bird and animal life
  • Take a helicopter safari over the Virunga Mountains, spending time on active volcanoes
  • Head north, into Virunga National Park’s savannah grasslands and stay at Lulimbi Camp, beside the Ishasha River
  • Visit Idjwi Island, located in the centre of Lake Kivu and untouched by conflict but isolated from the outside world
  • Meet the park’s anti-poaching bloodhounds and go chimp trekking from the beautiful Mikeno Lodge.
Bonobo with Stick, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bonobo, Democratic Republic of Congo

Discover extraordinary in the DRC

  • Visit Kinshasa’s Ethnographic Museum, which includes the original boat that Stanley used to travel down the nearby rapids
  • Head to Lola Ya Bonobo, a sanctuary for orphaned bonobos – indigenous to the DRC
  • Set off deep into the DRC’s interior, heading to the Lomako Reserve in search of wild troops of bonobos

Explore Democratic Republic of Congo

  • Kahuzi Biega National Park
  • Virunga National Park

Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

Silverback eastern lowland (Grauer's) gorilla, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo

Trek in Search of Grauer’s Gorillas

Go gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, home to habituated Grauer’s gorillas.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Great Blue Turaco, Uganda
Democratic Republic of Congo

Birding in Kahuzi-Biega

Discover Kahuzi-Biega’s 200 resident bird species, including the Congo peacock and Rwenzori turaco.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Upemba National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo

Explore Virunga’s Savannah

Head north, into Virunga National Park’s savannah grasslands and stay at Lulimbi Camp, beside the Ishasha River.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Bbay gorilla playing, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo

Gorilla Sanctuary

Visit Senkwekwe – the only orphan mountain gorilla sanctuary in the world.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Anti Poaching Bloodhound and Ranger, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo

Anti-Poaching Demonstration

Meet the park’s anti-poaching bloodhounds and witness a demonstration for their abilities.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Looking out from Nyiragongo towards Rwanda, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo

Helicopter Safari

Take a helicopter safari over the Virunga Mountains, spending time on active volcanoes.

Mountain gorilla, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo

Track Mountain Gorillas

Go in search of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Lake, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo

Relax Beside Lake Kivu

Have some downtime amidst crumbling colonial mansions beside the shores of Lake Kivu.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Chimpanzee Portrait, Kibale Forest, Uganda
Democratic Republic of Congo

Track Chimpanzees

Follow chimpanzees through the forests, tracking a habituated family.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Lake Kivu
Democratic Republic of Congo

Visit Idjwi Island

Take a boat trip to Idjwi Island, located in the centre of Lake Kivu and swim in the cool waters.

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Nyiragongo Summit Shelter £££££

  • Democratic Republic of Congo

They are very much shelter and not much else. These fibre-glass huts keep out the wind and stay surprisingly warm but are very spartan. Inside each hut are small foam mattresses, which lie directly on the floor. However, after the hike to the top, they will feel like a king-size bed.

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Tchegera Island Lodge £££££

  • Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Tented Camps

Definitely one of a kind, this excellent tented camp sits on the exposed ridge of a collapsed volcanic caldera in the middle of Lake Kivu. The handful of safari-style Meru tents lie directly on the black sandy shores, with small verandas under canvas. From here you can sit back and admire the view or watch birds and butterflies amongst the trees, which help provide shade and privacy. Inside the tents are simple, spacious and clean, with flushing loos, bucket showers and power from a generator.

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Mikeno Lodge £££££

  • Democratic Republic of Congo

This is a great little lodge and the only small, boutique-style property in the area. Each of the 12, solid lava stone and natural thatch bungalows sit in the heart of Virunga National Park, overlooking the forest or valley with Nyiragongo and Mikeno volcanoes in the distance.

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Bukima Camp £££££

  • Democratic Republic of Congo

Bukima means the place where there are monkeys and whilst it was originally built as a base for researchers, it is now used as the starting point for Virunga mountain gorilla treks. The six, large meru-style safari tents (4 doubles and 2 twins) are all en-suite (flushing loos and bucket showers) with a small dresser and simple safari chairs, with a similar, but much larger main mess tent, where wholesome, simple meals are taken and where batteries can be charged.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Chris Johnston

Chris is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Africa.

25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Frequently asked questions about Democratic Republic of Congo

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Fallen Rangers, Congo

Centre for Wildlife Studies - Fallen Rangers

We support projects right across the planet. For example, in the Democratic Republic of Congo we have donated to the Centre for Wildlife Studies. The Rangers of Virunga National Park lay down their lives to protect the amazing biodiversity of the park; which means, in turn, the park has a duty to look after those who are left behind. In 2016, Virunga National Park, in collaboration with the NAT GEO Rainforest, developed the Widows Workshop to protect and empower the widows of the rangers.

When planning your trip speak to our experts about how you can also support the destinations you are visiting.

Why Choose Steppes?

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