Democratic Republic of Congo differs from Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville) but the mostly gifted Congo is the Democratic Republic which is highly known for the protection of the rare mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and Eastern Low-land gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Enjoy the Congo safari tours can take place in its national parks of which the following are some of its major Parks:

Virunga National Park found in northern Congo is the mostly visited Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo since many tourists go there for the exploring of mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. A Congo gorilla permit is sold to gorilla trekkers at US$ 400 however it can also be bought at US$ 200 during April to May and in mid October to mid November. Gorilla permits are reserved by your desired tour company such as the Nature Adventure Africa Safari Limited plus all other bookings including hotel reservations and transfer you from the airport on your arrival. Most tourists prefer accessing Virunga National Park from Rwanda due to its direct flights and then drive from Kigali city (Rwanda) to Goma where Virunga is found though tourists can still access Congo through its airport. Therefore due to the flight fatigue, tourists will not do any activity instead they will camp in the Parks best lodges such as Mikeno lodge, Tchegera Island tented camp and Bukima tented camp.

Bespoke gorilla trekking tours in Virunga National Park takes place in Bukima sector where trekkers will meet all the eight habituated gorilla families in the Park and all the activities are guided by well trained and armed Park rangers who will guide you through the tracking and protect you as well. Tracking all the eight families will give a tourist a great experience since all those families have different behaviors. There are only four Parks protecting the rare endangered mountain gorillas in the whole world and due to this scarcity, tourists usually invade those four Parks for gorilla tours but what makes Virunga tours memorable is that the Park comprises of Nyiragongo volcano which has the largest and violet Lava Lake.

This Lava Lake on Mount Nyiragongo is best seen when one hikes the Mountain of which the whole hiking will take two days for a tourist to enjoy this historical and memorable Lava Lake which is clearly seen at night. To hike the Nyiragongo volcano, a hiker should have a Nyiragongo volcano hike permit which is sold at the Nyiragongo head offices and it costs US$ 300. At the climax of the Volcano there are good shelters where hikers will spend their night (Nyiragongo Volcano summit shelters). From these shelters, a tourist will enjoy the whole and beautiful display of Virunga National Park and at the summit is the only place in Congo where one can enjoy Democratic Republic of Congo’s display too.

Kahuzi Biega National Park is Congo’s best Park for viewing the endangered eastern low-land gorillas, the Park is found in Bukavu County which is in the eastern parts of Democratic Republic of Congo. The Park is made up of two extinct mountains (Mountain Kahuzi and Mountain Biega) of which through a combination of the names of these two Mountains, Kahuzi-Biega was named so. The Park is one of the last refuges of the Low-land gorillas and many tourists who visits Virunga National Park also want to visit the Low-land gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park in order to make their gorilla safari tour complete thus making Democratic Republic of Congo the most ideal country for gorilla safaris since you will be able to see both the low-land gorillas and the rare mountain gorillas being the only country to protect both gorilla types. A gorilla permit for Kahuzi Biega National Park costs US$ 400 just like that of Virunga National Park .

Mangrove National Park is also one of the best destinations in Congo tourists should not leave without giving it a visit because it is the country’s only marine Park and it is mostly known for its mangrove forest. The inhabits the endangered manatee which are situated at the mouth of Congo River and the Park’s mangrove differs from that in South Asia thus attracting many tourists to go and view such a distinct mangrove. The Park is also a habitant to Crocodiles, Hippos, Southern reed buck, Snakes plus bush bucks.

Lomani National Park is also a must visit Park in Congo which is situated within the middle basin of Lomami River. The Park’s savanna Islands in the south and hills in the west give it a spectacular view to tourists who visit it and the Park is also a home to Okapis, Congo peafowl, Lesula which has been discovered recently as another primate species in the Park. The Park’s other inhabitants include a sight to over 500 African elephants which are found in the northern forests of the Park, Dryas monkeys, African grey parrots and Rain forest giraffes. However, the Park is mostly recognized for its apes and primates which include Lesula which is the new primate in the Park, Dryas monkeys, Lomami red Colobus, bonobo, Northern black mangabey, Katanga red-tailed monkey and many others.

Lake Kivu is also a better place for tourists to visit especially after the tiresome activities in Congo’s Parks like Nyiragongo hike and gorilla trek in Virunga National Park and other Parks. At the Lake, tourists will involve in various luxurious activities such as boat cruises. Through fishing, tourists will be able to identify and enjoy the fish species caught from Lake Kivu. Tourists can taste the sweetness of the fish species caught from Lake Kivu and will also enjoy the extraction of methane from the Lake as well as viewing aquatic birds. At the Lake you will enjoy the scenic views of various Islands situated on the Lake such as Tchegera Island of which you can still decide to go and interact with the local people found there because the local people at Tchegera Island are friendly and cooperative of which they can prepare for you a special meal of roasted and fried fresh fish.

Other destinations in Congo best for safari tours include; GARAMBA NATIONAL PARK which is a home to white rhinos, SALONGA NATIONAL PARK, KUNDELUNGU NATIONAL PARK, MAIKO NATIONAL PARK, OKAPI WILD RESERVE which is most famous for inhabiting Okapis, UPEMBA NATIONAL PARK among others thus making Democratic Republic of Congo to be one of the mostly visited African countries due to its distinct Parks and many other attractive places.