Our Team
Our Tour Experts
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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![Amy Waters snow biking]()
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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![William Dalrymple]()
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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![Liz Bonnin]()
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
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Kahuzi Biega National Park
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Virunga National Park
Experiences
Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.
Idea
Democratic Republic of Congo
Primates and Volcanoes
This pioneering adventure to DRC explores two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – home to great apes, active volcanoes and the world’s largest lava lake. Have the unique chance to trek for two subspecies of gorilla, as well as chimpanzees.
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Democratic Republic of Congo
Virunga Volcano Climb in the D.R.C
Climb Mount Nyiragongo, a volcano in Virunga National Park in eastern DRC. Spending a night on its peak, ascend to the rim of the crater and look down at the world’s largest lava lake – found within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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 tropical lakeside town of Bukavu.
Idea
Democratic Republic of Congo
Primates and Volcanoes
This pioneering adventure to DRC explores two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – home to great apes, active volcanoes and the world’s largest lava lake. Have the unique chance to trek for two subspecies of gorilla, as well as chimpanzees.
Idea
Democratic Republic of Congo
Virunga Volcano Climb in the D.R.C
Climb Mount Nyiragongo, a volcano in Virunga National Park in eastern DRC. Spending a night on its peak, ascend to the rim of the crater and look down at the world’s largest lava lake – found within a UNESCO World…
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 tropical lakeside town of…
Where 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.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Nyiragongo Summit Shelter
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…
Democratic Republic of Congo
Tchegera Island Lodge
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…
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
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
Where can I see gorillas in DRC?
Can Steppes arrange trips to areas outside of eastern DRC?
Start planning your trip
Sustainability
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?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. 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 once again?
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