DRC Tourism

    Destination Authority

    Congo River & DRC National Parks Guide

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo protects six flagship wilderness destinations of global significance: Virunga National Park (mountain gorillas, Nyiragongo volcano), Kahuzi-Biéga (the only wild Grauer's gorillas on Earth), Garamba (Kordofan giraffe), Salonga (Africa's largest rainforest reserve and wild bonobos), Upemba (Katanga plateau), and the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Ituri forest). The Congo River itself carries multi-day tourist journeys from Kinshasa to Mbandaka and Kisangani. Best time to visit is June–September or January–February for most parks.

    The Congo River

    The Congo is the world's deepest river and Africa's second-longest, draining the second-largest rainforest on Earth. For visitors, three journeys stand out:

    • Kinshasa → Mbandaka (3–5 days) — the classic tourist cruise through equatorial forest.
    • Kinshasa → Kisangani (10–14 days) — deep-river expedition ending at the Wagenia fishing weirs and the former Stanley Falls.
    • Kinshasa Pool → Livingstone Falls (day trip) — the cataracts below Kinshasa where the river drops 270m in a series of unnavigable rapids.

    Full Congo River cruise details · Rivers of the DRC · Stanley Falls history

    Flagship National Parks — Deep Dive

    Virunga National Park

    Africa's oldest national park. Mountain gorillas and an active volcano.

    Best time
    June–September, January–February
    Wildlife highlights
    Mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, forest elephant, okapi (rare), Nyiragongo lava lake
    Access
    Fly Kigali → drive to Bunagana border → Bukima sector. Virunga Foundation transfer.
    Permits & cost
    USD 400 gorilla permit. USD 300 Nyiragongo summit permit. Book 2–3 months ahead.
    Difficulty
    Moderate for gorilla trek. Strenuous for Nyiragongo (2-day, 3,470m).
    Full Virunga National Park guide →

    Kahuzi-Biéga National Park

    The only place on Earth to track wild eastern lowland (Grauer's) gorillas.

    Best time
    June–September, January–February
    Wildlife highlights
    Grauer's gorilla (endemic), eastern chimpanzee, forest elephant, l'Hoest's monkey
    Access
    Fly Kigali → Bukavu → Tshivanga station. 30-minute drive from Bukavu.
    Permits & cost
    USD 400 gorilla tracking permit via ICCN Bukavu office.
    Difficulty
    Moderate. Bamboo and lowland forest, typically 2–5 hours of tracking.
    Full Kahuzi-Biéga National Park guide →

    Garamba National Park

    African Parks-managed northern savanna. Kordofan giraffe stronghold.

    Best time
    December–April (dry) for wildlife viewing
    Wildlife highlights
    Kordofan giraffe, African elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion, roan antelope
    Access
    Charter flight from Kinshasa or Entebbe to Nagero airstrip. No overland tourism access.
    Permits & cost
    Included in premium safari packages. Independent access not offered.
    Difficulty
    Easy — vehicle-based safari with lodge accommodation.
    Full Garamba National Park guide →

    Salonga National Park

    Africa's largest tropical rainforest reserve. Wild bonobos and forest elephant.

    Best time
    June–September (drier), or January–February
    Wildlife highlights
    Bonobo (endemic to DRC), forest elephant, Congo peafowl, bongo
    Access
    Charter flight from Kinshasa to Monkoto or Watsi Kengo. River access from Mbandaka possible.
    Permits & cost
    Expedition permit via ICCN + WWF Salonga programme. Operator-led only.
    Difficulty
    Demanding. Remote, humid, multi-day forest expedition.
    Full Salonga National Park guide →

    Upemba National Park

    Katanga's high plateau — savanna, wetlands and cultural depth.

    Best time
    May–September
    Wildlife highlights
    Zebra, sable, roan, elephant (recovering), leopard, rich birdlife
    Access
    Fly to Lubumbashi → drive north via Likasi to park headquarters.
    Permits & cost
    ICCN Upemba, purchased via operator.
    Difficulty
    Moderate. 4x4 vehicle-based with camping and lodge options.
    Full Upemba National Park guide →

    Okapi Wildlife Reserve

    The Ituri forest — home of the okapi, the forest giraffe.

    Best time
    June–September, December–February
    Wildlife highlights
    Okapi, forest elephant, 13 primate species including De Brazza's monkey
    Access
    Currently limited to research and specialist operator visits only. Enquire ahead.
    Permits & cost
    By arrangement with ICCN Epulu station.
    Difficulty
    Demanding. Remote and security-sensitive.
    Full Okapi Wildlife Reserve guide →

    Building Your Itinerary

    Most first visits combine one gorilla park (Virunga or Kahuzi-Biéga), a river or Kinshasa cultural leg, and either a bonobo sanctuary visit (Lola ya Bonobo) or a savanna extension (Garamba). Two to three weeks lets you cover the flagship species. Every itinerary is best routed through a verified operator given the remote logistics and permit constraints.

    Plan Your DRC Wildlife Journey

    Tell us which parks, how many days, and your preferred travel window. Our team will draft an itinerary with permits, transfers and lodging within three working days.

    Design My ItineraryBrowse Ready-Made Packages

    See also: All 57 Protected Areas · Gorilla Trekking · Bonobo Tracking

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best national park to visit in the DRC?

    For first-time visitors: Virunga National Park (mountain gorillas, Nyiragongo volcano) or Kahuzi-Biéga (eastern lowland gorillas). For serious wildlife travellers: Salonga (bonobos, forest elephant) or Garamba (Kordofan giraffe, elephant, savanna). For culture-plus-wildlife: Upemba in Katanga. All five are ICCN-managed and accessible with verified operators.

    When is the best time to visit DRC national parks?

    Dry season — June to September and January to February — is best for wildlife viewing, forest trekking and river travel. Roads are passable, trails are drier, and river levels are more predictable. Bird-watching peaks November to April. Gorilla trekking runs year-round; dry season is easier underfoot.

    How do I get a gorilla trekking permit for Virunga or Kahuzi-Biéga?

    Permits are issued by ICCN (Virunga Foundation for Virunga). Virunga mountain-gorilla permits are USD 400, Kahuzi-Biéga eastern lowland gorilla permits are USD 400. Book at least 2–3 months ahead in high season. Verified operators secure permits as part of a package. Permits are limited daily to protect the gorillas.

    Can I cruise the Congo River as a tourist?

    Yes. The classic tourist route is Kinshasa to Mbandaka (roughly 3–5 days by riverboat) or a longer Kinshasa–Kisangani journey (10–14 days). Comfort-level boats operated for tourism differ from local trader barges. Book with a verified operator; do not board a local barge as an independent traveller.

    How much does a DRC safari cost?

    A 5-day Virunga gorilla + Nyiragongo package starts around USD 2,500 per person including permits, ranger fees, transfers, food and lodging. A 7-day Garamba premium safari is USD 8,000–15,000 per person. A 10-day Salonga bonobo expedition is USD 6,500 upwards. Prices reflect the operational cost of accessing remote, protected wilderness.

    Is it possible to see all of the DRC's flagship wildlife in one trip?

    In two to three weeks, yes — a combined Virunga (mountain gorilla, Nyiragongo), Kahuzi-Biéga (eastern lowland gorilla), Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary, and Garamba (Kordofan giraffe, savanna) itinerary covers the DRC's flagship species. A dedicated Salonga extension adds wild bonobo tracking.

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