BY MADI KHADIM
January 28, 2022

‘Boat view on Kivu Lake’ © Florian Lancon via Shutterstock

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Central Africa is an underrated country with a lot to offer. While it’s not typically a tourist destination, just a glimpse of the country will convince you that it deserves all the attention. So, here are some travel destinations in the Democratic Republic of Congo that will blow your mind away.

1. Kahuzi Biega National Park

Up first on the list, we have the Kahuzi Biega National Park in Bukavu, DRCongo. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kahuzi Biega National Park surrounds the volcanic Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega. It is pretty popular for its population of gorillas, but you’ll spot a couple of eastern chimpanzees, owl-faced monkeys, genets, and needle-clawed bushbabies. Luckily for birdwatchers, the national park is also home to African Green Broadbill and Rockefeller’s sunbird among many others.

2. Garamba National Park

Another natural landmark in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the Garamba National Park which presents itself as a collection of green savannahs and grasslands. One of Africa’s oldest parks, the Garamba National Park was established in 1983 and has been caring for elephants, hippopotamuses, white rhinos, and giraffes ever since. If you’re a sucker for nature, head over to this park because you’ll be surrounded by over 130 mammal and 280 bird species.

3. Zongo Falls

Yes, the Democratic Republic of Congo is filled with parks but if you tend to lean with the intricate side of nature, make your way to the Falls of Zongo, 4 hours from Kinshasa. The Zongo Falls flow from a 65 m high cliff and rush down through the local jungle, inviting you to a really picturesque adventure. If you really love testing your legs and believe in taking an adventure that demands agility and strength, then there’s nowhere better than the Zongo Falls.

4. Boyoma Falls

Another natural gem in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the Boyoma Falls, which are situated in close proximity to the city of Kisangani. Impressively, the Boyoma Falls are the largest waterfall by volume, and are formed by the combination of seven cataracts. If you really want to take a look at the waterfalls which even surpassed the Niagara, then take a small trip there from Kisangani and spend the day just marvelling at the view.

5. Mount Nyirangongo

Mount Nyiragongo is an active strato-volcano which stands erect in the Virunga National Park, Virunga Mountains. Although the mountain’s lack of dormancy makes it a place of hesitation for some, daredevils and nature explorers claim it to be among their best explored places. But don’t worry; while the volcano is active, it is rarely terrifying as most explorations are headed by field experts who know how to avoid dangerous situations. It is still recommended to check in with the local authorities before planning. So, if you’d really like to take a deep look at the volcanic mountain and don’t mind the hike that comes along the way, you know where you’re headed!

6. Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu borders Rwanda and the DRC and is the sixth largest lake in Africa. Lake Kivu is a relatively relaxing trip to make, partly because of its serene environment and partly because it rarely involves encounters with local animals. For a relaxing and even romantic afternoon, book a boat tour of any part of the Lake Kivu on the DRC and enjoy breath-taking views.

Share your favorite DRCongo travel destinations with us in the comments below.