Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary is the world's only sanctuary dedicated exclusively to bonobos, located just outside Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Founded to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect bonobos orphaned by illegal wildlife trafficking, Lola ya Bonobo plays a critical role in global bonobo conservation.
Bonobos exist nowhere else on Earth but the DRC. Lola ya Bonobo ensures that victims of poaching and trafficking are given a second chance—while educating the world about the urgent need to protect Congo's forests.
What Is Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary?
Lola ya Bonobo is a rehabilitation and education center, not a zoo. Its mission is to rescue bonobos confiscated from illegal trade, rehabilitate them in semi-wild forest enclosures, provide lifelong care for non-releasable bonobos, educate Congolese youth and international visitors, and advocate for rainforest and bonobo protection.
The sanctuary is internationally respected for its ethical standards, animal welfare, and conservation impact.
Why Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary Matters
Bonobos are classified as Endangered, facing threats from illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking, habitat destruction, and human encroachment.
Lola ya Bonobo addresses these threats by removing bonobos from the illegal trade pipeline, raising awareness at national and international levels, supporting law enforcement and conservation policy, and training the next generation of Congolese conservation leaders.
Visiting Lola ya Bonobo Responsibly
Visits to Lola ya Bonobo are carefully managed to protect the animals: guided visits only, strict distance and behavior rules, no feeding or physical contact, and education-focused interpretation.
A visit offers a powerful opportunity to learn about bonobo intelligence and social behavior, understand the realities of wildlife trafficking, and see conservation action in practice.
This is ethical wildlife education, not entertainment.
Lola ya Bonobo & Ethical Tourism in the DRC
Responsible visits to Lola ya Bonobo contribute to daily care and veterinary support for rescued bonobos, education programs for Congolese schools, and conservation advocacy and awareness campaigns.
When combined with wild bonobo tracking or Congo Basin eco-tours, a sanctuary visit provides a complete conservation journey—from rescue to protection in the wild.
Discover our Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary visits and bonobo conservation experiences and support ethical wildlife protection in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
