The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) located in east Africa covers an area of approximately 2.3 million square kilometers, and famous for its various landscapes and verdant biodiversity. This land size and numerous ecosystems establish DRC as a premier location for tourism activities. DRC is bordered by the Republic of Congo to the west, the Central African Republic to the north, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and Rwanda to the east, Angola to the southwest and Zambia to the southeast. DRC is nestled in geographical coordinates of about 5^o N to 13^o S latitude and 12^o E to 31^o E longitude.

History of the Democratic Republic of Congo

DRC has a complicated history, involving the region being initially occupied by a variety of indigenous ethnic groups, and later becoming the Kingdom of Kongo. This Kingdom thrived from the 14th to the 19th century before the European colonialists came in. Around that time, King Leopold II of Belgium established the Congo Free State, and exploited the regions natural resources.  Later, the region became to be known as the Belgian Congo before attaining its independence in 1960, to be called the Republic of Congo-Leopoldville. Over a decade later, it was renamed Zaire under President Mobutu Sese Seko, and since 1997 it has been called the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Safety and Security in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Since the country’s independence, the DRC has faced significant challenges, that include civil wars and political unrest. Despite these the country has remained resilient with efforts towards peace and economic development. The safety and security in the country have been concerning due to the civil unrests and aggression in the eastern part of the country. Nevertheless, the Congo government along with various international bodies have been working diligently to reduce the conflicts.

Major cities, including Kinshasa, Goma and Lubumbashi have had significant improvements in infrastructure and security, hence making them safe for travelers. However, potential visitors ought to be informed with current conditions by consulting the local authorities and reputable tour companies.

Culture and People of the Democratic Republic of Congo

With at least 250 ethnic groups and about 700 languages, the Democratic Republic of Congo is a cultural mosaic. Ethnic groups include the Luba, Kongo and Mongo among others, and French is the country’s official language. Other languages used include Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo and Tshiluba among others. There are numerous traditional ceremonies and festivals that are integral to Congolese life, and showcase vibrant attires, music and dances among other things. Some of their music and dances have gained critical acclaim internationally. The people in the country are also hospitable and love to share their cultural heritage with visitors.

Unique Tourism Destinations and activities in the DRC

Travelers to the DRC will explore a plethora of distinct tourism destinations and activities, that establish the country as a tourism powerhouse. These comprise;

Virunga National Park; spanning 7,769 square kilometers in the eastern part of DRC, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Africa’s oldest national park. Virunga National Park is popular for the endangered mountain gorillas. Virunga comprises diverse habitats, that range from savannahs to volcanic mountains. Other wildlife species include elephants, hippos, lions, okapi and colobus monkeys among others. There are bird species in Virunga comprising of the Rwenzori batis, African olive pigeon, Angolan swallow and grey-throated barbet among others. Gorilla trekking is the prime tourist activity. Additionally, visitors can engage in birdwatching, chimp habituation, hiking the Nyiragongo volcano, nature walks and sightseeing among others.

Kahuzi-Biega National Park; covering about 6,000 square kilometers in eastern DRC, is another UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for the eastern lowland gorillas. The vegetation comprises both mountainous and lowland terrain. Kahuzi-Biega is also home to a range of wildlife species including the buffalos, elephants, chimpanzees, bats and owl-faced monkeys among others. Bird species include the African green broadbill, Congo peafowl and the Rockefeller’s sunbird among others. The key tourist activity in Kahuzi-Biega National Park includes lowland gorilla trekking adventures. Others including hiking Mountains Kahuzi and Biega, birdwatching, exploring the chimpanzee sanctuary and birding among others.

Garamba National Park; located in northeastern DRC spans about 4,920 square kilometers. Garamba is known for its massive savannahs and a wide range of wildlife species. The main tourist activity here is the game drive, the offers visitors the opportunity to spot the elephants, hippos, giraffes, rhinos, hyenas and antelopes among others. Other tourist activities include birdwatching, guided nature walks, fishing and boat cruises among others.

Salonga National Park; covers about 36,000 square kilometers in the central basin of the Congo River, in central DRC. This is the largest tropical rainforest reserve in Africa as well as a UNESCO Worl heritage Site. Visitors access it by river to encounter the endangered bonobo, a primate closely related to humans. Other wildlife species include the elephants, leopards, bongo antelopes, black crested mangabeys and okapi among others. Bird species in Salonga include the Congo peafowl, black stock, grant parrot and yellow-billed stock among others. The main tourist activities include wildlife viewing, birdwatching, fishing, nature walks and cultural encounters among others.

Climate and when to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo

The DRC experiences a tropical climate with some variations depending on the region. There is an equatorial climate in the central region, characterized by high humidity and heavy rainfall throughout the year. The northern region of DRC experiences a wet season from April to October and a dry season from December to February. In the south the wet season occurs from October to May and a dry season from June to September.

The best time to visit DRC basically depends on the specific destination and desired activities. Visitors desiring gorilla trekking adventures in either Virunga or Kahuzi-Biega, the best time to visit is during the dry season from June to September and from December to February. During this time, the trails are less muddy and the weather patterns are relatively more predictable, thus enhancing the trekking experience. In the Garamba National Park wildlife viewing is best done during the dry seasons when the vegetation cover is less dense and the animals are gathered around main water sources.