The development of D.R. Congo is not so different from most African countries that transitioned from their traditional ways of life at the coming of colonialism. The changeover of Congo is tremendous and includes a change of names from Republic of Zaire to Democratic Republic of Congo. The Belgium colonization that happened in 1885 introduced the French language that is widely used in the country.

Colonial rule was later characterized by torture and widespread murder that got Belgium thinking about handing over the country to its owners and in 1960 the country attained its independence. The independence of the country didn’t make anything better as the country has since then battled with various unrests that include the first and second Congo wars but as the rest is history, the country is growing and restoring peace and security in the country following the 2018 elections that held the first peaceful transfer of power since independence.

Best tourist attractions

National parks

The country offers tourists a long thread of national parks that they can choose from to see the wild animals manifest their behavior in their natural habitat. Virunga National Park is famed with its huge mountain gorillas but tourists who miss these shouldn’t miss a glimpse of the lowland gorillas found in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

The biodiversity and exciting nature found in other national parks like Garamba and Salonga national park is quite unique and only a secret that tourists whose destination is one of them can tell in details.

 The volcanoes

These 8 wondrous heartbeats of the earth bordering Rwanda and DR. Congo offer rare natural experiences like sighting melting lava lakes that can be viewed while on mountain Nyiragongo. Besides Nyiragongo, tourists can hike Bisoke, Nyamuragira, Tshibinda and May-ya-moto.

It’s a different experience for any tourist who chooses to spend a night in the wilderness at the summit of mountain Nyiragongo.

Water Falls

Silver and magical waters swishing over a collection of rocks are hair-raising views that tourists get at the sight of these falls in DR. Congo. Tourists hear thundering sounds of water from falls like Boyoma, Livingstone, Inga and Lofio falls while they embark on the interesting history of these falls as they venture into hiking them.

The capital city

Kinshasha the capital city of the country should be frequented by all tourists who are interested in the energy and hype that is given by the different structures that compose the city. Tourists can sight interesting cultural art pieces along the roadsides, the buzzing city market called Marche desvoluers always eager to entice visitors and other places that tourists can visit like places of worship, museums and art galleries among other sceneries in the city.

Lola ya Bonobo

The countrymen of DR. Congo have big hearts because they sympathize with the animals that lose their loved ones. On top of the orphanage center in Senkwenkwe, tourists can also pay a visit to Lola ya Bonobo and show sympathy to the Bonobos babies that have lost their mothers to unearthly acts like poaching where they are hunted for bush meat and sold for pets. This safari and visit are worthwhile as comforting animals is something peculiar in Africa and interestingly done in DR. Congo.

Activities to do while in the country

Gorilla trekking

Walking on the wild side of Virunga is risky but offers rare exhilarating moments that are gotten at the sight of mountain gorillas. As old is gold, the oldest national park in Africa is indeed of much pride for not only its age but also the fact that it habits the silhouette of mankind called the mountain gorillas.

The country has been marked by continuous unrest and political instabilities that scare away tourists but as stability and peace in the country is growing and on a high rise, tourists should feel free to embark on visiting this park that abuts DR. Congo and Rwanda to feel the beauty of nature and be up close to the untasted lush green environment while unfolding tree branches, leaves and skipping fallen trees and shrubs while in search for these thick hairy creatures.

Tourists shouldn’t have any doubt about their security while on this exhilarating hunt because they are always in groups while enjoying the natural trail with an army soldier ready to fight for their lives with his enormous machine guns and his army skills that cannot let tourists be at harm.

Volcano hiking

It is a universal truth that no matter how well one knows a scene, observing it from above is something of a revelation. Tourists interested in having bird’s-eye views of DR. Congo should plunge into strolling mountain Nyiragongo at the eastern part of DR. Congo.

The hikers start their muscle flexing activity at 9:00 am and within 5 hours they have reached the top of the mountain getting far-reaching views of the 8 volcanic mountains that surround it including Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, Sabyinyo, Mikeno and Nyamuragira.  Tourists can also witness the remains of the mountain’s eruption in 2002 that left behind a black gigantic rock.

The summit of the mountain offers tourist wondrous sights of the boiling magma found at the top of the mountain. A night at the summit of this mountain is fascinating and yes with the presence of boiling magma, this area can freeze one to ice therefore tourists should keep themselves as warm as possible and take hot drinks and foods as often. The comfort brought along by the warm clothes offers a chance for the tourists to enjoy their night away at the top of the wilderness and wait for the golden sunrays that mark the end of their stay at the summit.

Sloping down the mountain is not as tedious as the latter and it requires just about 3 hours to be on the normal ground level of the earth, the whole descending process offers equal chances of sighting beautiful and magnificent views from Mount Rwenzori, Virunga volcanoes, Kahuzi Beiga national park and other natural components that the visitors’ eyes can reach out for.

Visit orphaned gorillas at Senkwenkwe

Losing a loved one is a crestfallen moment and anyone who losses a beloved needs to be cared for and sympathized with to help them go through the trying moments, therefore this center was established to look after victimized gorillas that are suffering loss of their loved ones from poaching, animal trafficking and other deaths.

Tourists should show a big heart by passing by to feel the empathy of these creatures and also understand how the caring process is done as this is the only orphanage for gorillas in the world.

Park visits

The country is famed for its plentiful and lush green vegetation and climate that provides a scenic view to tourists therefore tourists should visit the country without taking a second thought because its only in Congo a tourist can take a glimpse of both lowland and mountain gorillas.

The biodiversity of the country also offers a lot more to tourists than just gorillas like rare species of pygmies’ chimpanzees, okapis, Congo peafowls, Bongo among others.

Tourists should joyfully book an itinerary with one of the country’s parks that include Virunga national park, Garamba national park, Maiko, Kahuzi Beiga, Salonga, Upemba and Kundelungu national parks to have a life changing itinerary while in DR. Congo.

When to visit the country

The dry seasons bring comfort to everyone around the universe but it’s intensely attractive for touring and traveling therefore tourists should mark the dry seasons of May to September and January to February fit for all their safaris in the country.

What to park while visiting the country

Travel documents

Traveling to DR. Congo without a passport and the required Congo Visa can only cause disappointment therefore it is vital that travelers pack their travel documents first before embarking on traveling to DR. Congo.

Immunization card

It is paramount for all the tourists that intend to flock the country to have their yellow fever certificates before entering into the country. Following the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, carrying a covid vaccination certificate is also important before going to DR. Congo.

Jungle boots

Nature lovers definitely venture into gorilla trekking and hiking since it exposes them to the untold stories of the wilderness therefore, they should endeavor to pack thick jungle boots that can handle the meandering rough terrain of the country.

Thick clothes

The country has melting lava at the top of some of its volcanoes but the nights are surely cold since the country has an equatorial kind of climate, therefore tourists should carry thick clothes like sweaters, and any other cloth that can add warmth to them during the cold nights.

First aid kits

These shouldn’t be underrated because the tourists might accidentally get an injury while hiking or trekking through the thickets of the forests therefore, dressing the wound before accessing the hospital can save the tourists from suffering major consequences.

Sunscreens and other sun protectors

Hiking and trekking on a long day can be very tiring if it’s doubled by the scorching sun, a good day can end up on bad terms due to the sun therefore it is highly advised that tourists carry with them hats and sunscreens while visiting DR. Congo.

Camping tents

Spending the night in the wilderness is not just fun but raises the spirit of the tourists, therefore tourists who love to be up close with the wilderness out in the cold should mind carrying their personal tents especially those that venture into spending a night at mountain Nyiragongo.

Congolese artists are marked as the Kings of African music and have always filled concerts in big halls which is quite interesting. Music lovers can gather in Congo for music expeditions but they should also remember that the country owns Africa’s oldest national park that is famed for habiting the endangered mountain gorillas. But beyond music and mountain gorillas, the country has a lot of unknown and untold enchantresses that can be unleashed by tourists on their itineraries to the country.