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Heroes and Heroines Kahuzi Biega National Park
Founded in 1939 and later a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, Kahuzi-Biega National Park remains the last stronghold of the…
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
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.
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.
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
Idea
Democratic Republic of Congo
Grauer’s Gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega
Explore the UNESCO-listed Kahuzi-Biega National Park in DRC, home to rare Grauer’s gorillas, beautiful birdlife and volcanic peaks. Trek in search of this critically endangered gorilla subspecies, before soaking up the colourful, colonial charm of the…
Places to stay
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
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.
Bridget Cohen
Aged five and with my Curious George toy safely tucked under my arm, I set off with my family to travel around Europe in an orange VW minibus. Looking back on the adventures we had along the way, I now know that this was where my love for travel and exploring began.
Talk with our experts
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Chris Johnston
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.
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Where can I see gorillas in DRC?
You can trek in search of habituated gorilla families in two places in DRC, Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The former is home to mountain gorillas, whilst the latter safeguards one of the last remaining populations of Grauer’s gorillas.
Can Steppes arrange trips to areas outside of eastern DRC?
Unfortunately not. Currently, we only offer trips to Virunga National Park, Lake Kivu and Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Although tourism is still underdeveloped in these areas, facilities do exist. In the rest of the country, the logistical challenges are simply too great for us to arrange trips.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
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Speak to our experts
Our team is waiting to help you tailor a trip that will leave you with stories for a lifetime. Call us on
01285 601 784
The Steppes Fund For Change
Centre for Wildlife Studies - Fallen Rangers
We support projects right across the planet. Explore below to see where and how we’re making a difference – in some cases, we can even arrange a visit as part of your tailor-made itinerary.
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.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise sets us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary?
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