Discover the Congo National Parks that pack some of the most remarkable hidden gems and natural resources in the whole of Central Africa and the world, visible to tourists visiting Congo for safari excursions.

Congo, known for its rich biodiversity, hosting over 3,000 faunal and floral species, with many endemic to the Albertine Rift, is a haven for nature lovers, boasting lush rainforests, rare wildlife, and extraordinary biodiversity.

From the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mountain gorillas and active volcanoes to the Republic of Congo’s pristine rainforests, these game parks offer unforgettable safaris.

Explore iconic sites like Virunga (home to three volcanoes, namely Mikeno, Nyamuragira, and Nyiragongo), Salonga, and Odzala—protected havens for forest elephants, golden cats, and lowland gorillas for unforgettable safari experiences in a nation expected to become one of Africa’s most visited countries in the future.

List of National Parks in Congo | What Is the Name of the National Park in the Congo? 

Embark on amazing Congo safaris tours to see any of these safari parks for remarkable experiences!

Let us delve into the detailed breakdown of these Congo national parks!

DRC National Parks 

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is part of the great Congo Republic and it is bordered by the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north; Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania (via Lake Tanganyika) to the east; the Republic of the Congo to the west—featuring a complex 1,775 km boundary including land and river sections—and Zambia and Angola (including Cabinda) to the south.

These are some of the safari parks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the most visited countries in the eastern Congo Republic, next to the Central African Republic and South Sudan in the north.

Virunga National Park (Formerly Albert National Park) 

Virunga Park (formerly Albert National Park) is Africa’s oldest national park and one of the most visited parks in Congo, established and gazetted by Belgian authorities in 1925.

Located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, it covers over 8,090 km² and borders Lake Edward (southern sector), Lake Kivu (northern shore), the Semuliki basin (northern sector), and the larger Virunga Conservation Area shared with Volcanoes NP in Rwanda and Mgahinga NP in Uganda.

This Heritage Site (UNESCO) and Africa’s first Category II Park under IUCN standards is famous for its populations of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

ATTRACTIONS IN VIRUNGA PARK

Mountain Gorillas (most sought-after attraction); over 706 bird species (Albertine Rift endemics like the Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, and Kivu Ground Thrush), Mount Mikeno & other two active volcanoes—Mount Nyiragongo (Africa’s most active volcano) and Mount Nyamuragira; Lake Edward; other primates and wildlife species (Chimpanzees, forest elephants, bush buffalo, okapis, forest hogs, leopards, hippos, and Nile crocodiles); and other diverse landscapes (bamboo forests, lava plains, and alpine meadows)

ACTIVITIES AT VIRUNGA PARK

Top activities include mountain gorilla trekking, hiking Mount Nyiragongo, Nyamuragira mountain climbing, birdwatching, nature walks in the local community, and nature conservation tours.

ACCOMMODATION IN VIRUNGA PARK

Visitors touring Virunga National Park can stay at top-rated safari lodges and camps like Mikeno Lodge, Bukima Tented Camp, and Kibumba Tented Camp, which offer eco-luxury stays.

BEST TIME TO VISIT VIRUNGA PARK

The best time to visit is during the dry seasons of June–September and January, which are ideal for gorilla trekking and wildlife viewing conditions.

GETTING THERE

To get to Virunga National Park, Travelers typically fly into Goma, the nearest city in the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can also cross the border from Rwanda via Gisenyi, which is well-connected by road. From Goma, park transportation can be arranged to the headquarters in Rumangabo.

THREATS TO VIRUNGA PARK

Despite threats like armed conflicts from rebel groups, poaching, illegal bush meat trade, oil exploration, and several deadly attacks that endanger park rangers and visitors, Virunga National Park remains a must-visit Congo national park in Africa, offering once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters.

Visit the most visited and popular national park, Virunga, for amazing Congo safari experiences!

Kahuzi-Biega National Park in DRC (A Popular Eastern Lowland Gorilla Habitat in The World) 

Located in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega NP spans over 6,000 km², protecting the only habitat of eastern lowland gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri), the largest gorilla subspecies of the four subspecies on Earth.

Named after Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, this World Heritage Site (UNESCO), located near Bukavu on the western shore of Lake Kivu, was established in 1970 by Adrien Deschryver and is a highlight among Congo national parks.

The park features lowland rain forest, bamboo forests, and marshlands of the Congo River Basin.

ATTRACTIONS IN KAHUZI BIEGA

During Congo safaris, travelers can get a glimpse of several rare attractions in Kahuzi-Biega, including the eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s Gorillas), monkey species (Owl-faced monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and others), rare wildlife species (forest elephants, golden cats, chimpanzees, and giant alexander bush squirrels), over 349 bird species, and the Lwiro Chimpanzee sanctuary (a leading chimpanzee conservation sanctuary).

ACTIVITIES AT KAHUZI BIEGA NP

Safari Activities enjoyed by travellers visiting Kahuzi-Biega NP include lowland gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, volcano hiking, bird watching, cultural experiences, and guided nature walks.

KAHUZI BIEGA NP ACCOMMODATION

Tourists visiting Kahuzi-Biega NP can stay at any of the nearby facilities, including L’Orchids Safari Club, Mount Kahuzi Hotel, and Coco Lodge, among others.

BEST TIME TO VISIT KAHUZI BIEGA NP

The best time to visit Kahuzi Biega National Park is during the dry seasons, which run from June–October and December–February, when trails are drier.

GETTING THERE

Accessible from Bukavu via road or flights to Kamembe Airport (Rwanda),

This park is a hidden gem in Central Africa’s national park network, ideal for eco-tourism and conservation-focused travel.

Book a Kahuzi-Biega National Park safari now to journey and see this popular national park in Congo!

Garamba National Park (One of The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in DR Congo) 

Garamba National Park, in the northern sector/north-eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo near South Sudan and the Central African Republic in the north, is one of Africa’s oldest national parks, gazetted in 1938.

A UNESCO Heritage Site since 1980, Garamba spans over 5,200 km² and features savanna grasslands, woodlands, rivers, and equatorial forests.

ATTRACTIONS IN GARAMBA NP

Garamba protects unique species like Kordofan giraffes, okapis (endemic Congolese giraffes), African forest & bush elephants, forest hogs, olive baboons, and over 550 bird species. Once home to the now critically endangered northern white rhinoceros, the park still shelters lions, chimpanzees, leopards, hippos, and forest buffalo, among other attractions worth seeing on Congo wildlife safaris.

ACTIVITIES DONE AT GARAMBA NP

Top activities done by visitors touring Garamba include birdwatching, game drives, wildlife viewing, fishing, boat cruises, and nature walks.

GARAMBA NP ACCOMMODATION

Visitors stay at Garamba Lodge or basic ranger facilities.

BEST TIME TO VISIT GARAMBA NP

The most optimal time to visit Garamba National Park is during the dry months of December–March and June–July, with drier trails and active wildlife.

GETTING THERE

Access is via flights from Kinshasa or roads through Isiro or Dungu.

The park management of Garamba is done by African Parks and ICCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature), and patrolled by park rangers who have worked hard to support and rehabilitate Garamba National Park over various years.

Garamba remains a vital conservation hub in Central Africa’s Congo National Parks system despite losing so much of its wildlife due to poaching during the conflicts in Congo in the 1980s and 1990s.

Traverse one of the best national parks in Congo -Garamba for unforgettable safari experiences!

Maiko National Park in DR Congo (Habitat for All Congo Endemic Species) 

Maiko National Park, located in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the most isolated and untouched national parks in Central Africa, stretching across the provinces of Tshopo, Nord-Kivu (North Kivu), Orientale, and Maniema.

Covering over 10,885 km², the park, which is poorly developed due to conflict and isolation, protects a vast stretch of Congo rainforest teeming with biodiversity.

ATTRACTIONS IN MAIKO NP

Originally a private hunting ground/Private hunting reserve, Maiko is now the only park in the world home to all three endemic Congo species: the eastern lowland gorilla, okapi, and Congo peafowl, worth seeing during Congo wildlife tours.

Other attractions include other wildlife species (African forest elephants, African golden cats, giant aquatic genets, leopards, and chimpanzees), hundreds of other bird species (the Congo peacock), and cultural zones of ethnic groups.

MAIKO NP SAFARI ACTIVITIES

Though tourism is limited due to its remoteness and insecurity from rebel groups, Maiko holds potential for eco-tourism, wildlife research, and conservation tourism.

Some of the activities supported in Maiko include game viewing, bird watching, guided walks, etc.

ACCOMMODATION IN MAIKO NP

There are currently no formal tourist lodges, but camping and guided ranger treks may be arranged with permission from the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN).

BEST TIME TO VISIT MAIKO NP

Best visited during the dry seasons: December–February and June–August.

Maiko National Park is a hidden jewel among Congo national parks, preserving rare species in a wild, pristine setting.

GETTING THERE

Difficult access—mostly by foot or air (chartered flights).

It is worth noting that, because of its remoteness, Maiko National Park has suffered from limited conservation infrastructure and threats from armed groups and illegal mining.

However, it’s a vital conservation zone with efforts growing to protect its dense rainforests and rich fauna.

Book your safari excursions to Maiko, one of the best safari parks in Congo, for remarkable experiences!

Salonga National Park (Africa’s Largest Rainforest Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site) 

Salonga NP is the largest tropical rainforest national park in Africa, located deep within the Congo River Basin in the central Democratic Republic of Congo.

Spanning over 36,000 km², Salonga, established in 1956 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, is part of the Congo Basin, accessible only by the River Congo and air.

Its landscape is dominated by lush rainforest, wetlands, woodlands, and occasional meadows, making it one of the most biodiverse places on the African continent.

ATTRACTIONS IN SALONGA

Salonga protects rare and endangered species like the bonobo (pygmy chimpanzee), Salonga monkey (DRC is the only country with this monkey species), okapi, bongo antelope, leopard, bush squirrel, black crested mangabey, African slender-snouted crocodile, forest elephant, Congo peafowl, and giant ground pangolin.

It’s also a key habitat for lowland gorillas, golden cats, over 300 bird species, and unique flora.

SALONGA NP SAFARI ACTIVITIES

Tourism is limited due to its remote location and conservation challenges like sport hunting and illegal logging, but potential Salonga National Park activities include game viewing, river safaris, guided forest walks, primate tracking, and birdwatching in the tropical rainforest/Congo’s untouched jungles.

It is worth noting that Salonga NP is recognized as one of the best birding spots in the DR Congo.

ACCOMMODATION IN SALONGA NP

There are no developed lodges yet; researchers and adventurers use mobile camps with support from the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

BEST TIME TO VISIT SALONGA

The optimal time to visit Salonga is during the dry months of June–August and December–February, during the dry season.

GETTING THERE

Due to its remoteness, Salonga National Park is only accessible by the Lokoro River or air access from Kinshasa due to limited infrastructure.

Visit Salonga National Park, one of the wildest, most biodiverse treasures among all Congo safari parks, worth exploring during safari excursions!

Mangroves National Park—Congo’s Only Marine Park 

Mangroves National Park, also known as the Muanda Marine Reserve, is the smallest national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, covering 768 km², and is widely considered a Ramsar wetland due to its exceptional biodiversity.

Established in 1992 to protect Congo’s coastal ecosystem, it is the country’s only marine park and lies where the Congo River Delta meets the Atlantic Ocean, near the town of Muanda.

This Category II Park protects unique mangrove forests, coastal wetlands, rare marine species, and endangered manatees.

ATTRACTIONS MANGROVES NP

Unlike mangrove ecosystems in South Asia, Congo’s Mangroves NP (Parc Marin des Mangroves) supports a variety of wildlife species like hippos, crocodiles, primates, bushbucks, and southern reedbucks.

It’s also an important Ramsar site, offering critical habitat for bird species and aquatic biodiversity in its mangrove forests/mangrove ecosystems.

ACTIVITIES AT MANGROVES NP

Popular activities include boat tours through natural estuaries, fishing, wildlife viewing, birding, and nature photography.

MANGROVES NP ACCOMMODATION

While accommodation is limited, basic eco-lodges in Muanda provide access to the park.

BEST TIME TO VISIT MANGROVES NP

The best time to visit Mangroves NP is during the dry season from May to October.

GETTING THERE

You can reach the park via Muanda town or by boat from Boma.

Contact us now and let us plan your safari itinerary to this hidden gem among the national parks in Congo for lasting memories!

Lomami National Park 

Lomami National Park, in the heart of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country’s newest park and Ramsar wetland due to its exceptional biodiversity that lies between Salonga & Maiko or Tshuapa and Lomami rivers, officially inaugurated/established in 2016.

Nestled between Maniema and Tshopo provinces, it spans 8,879 km² of lowland rainforest, savanna grasslands, and scenic hills, making it one of the most biodiverse national parks in Congo, safeguarding newly discovered species like the Lesula monkey, as well as elephants, bonobos, and other primates.

ATTRACTIONS AT LOMAMI NP

This national park protects rare species like Lesula monkeys (endemic), bonobos, okapis, Dryas monkeys, tshuapa red colobus monkeys, African forest elephants, grey parrots, and other birds, among other attractions, making it a vital stronghold for nature conservation on the African continent.

LOMAMI NP ACTIVITIES

Visitors can enjoy primate tracking, birdwatching, guided nature walks, and rich cultural encounters with local populations and ethnic groups like the Mbole and Tetela.

ACCOMMODATION AT LOMAMI NP

Though the accommodation is basic, researchers and adventurers will find unique forest experiences here.

BEST TIME TO VISIT LOMAMI NP

The best time to visit is the dry season, from June to August.

GETTING THERE

To reach Lomami, take a flight or boat trip from Kisangani or Kinshasa.

Despite being less visited than Virunga National Park or Salonga National Park, Lomami is a rising gem in the DRC’s national parks system, offering raw beauty and crucial habitat protection for some of the world’s rarest species, especially elephants, who are continually poached, leading to rising insecurities.

Contact us today and let us plan your safari to any of the democratic republic of Congo safari parks for unforgettable experiences!

National Parks in the Republic Of Congo

The Republic of the Congo (ROC) is part of the great Congo Republic and it is bordered by Gabon to the west, Cameroon to the northwest, the Central African Republic to the northeast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the southeast, Angola’s Cabinda exclave to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest. Some of the famous safari parks in this nation include.

Odzala-Kokoua National Park (Republic of Congo) 

Odzala-Kokoua NP, located in the Republic of the Congo, is one of the oldest and largest national parks in Congo (ROC) and one of Central Africa’s most important strongholds for western lowland gorillas.

Established in 1935, now co-managed by African Parks and the Congolese government, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate and a must-see for wildlife lovers exploring the African continent.

Covering 13,500 km², this safari park is a vital part of the Congo Basin and hosts diverse ecosystems—rainforests, savannas, and swamps.

ATTRACTIONS IN ODZALA NP

The park is home to western lowland gorillas, African forest elephants, African golden cats, and over 440 bird species.

ACTIVITIES AT ODZALA KOKOUA NP

Visitors can enjoy gorilla trekking, forest walks, birdwatching, and cultural encounters with local communities like the Ba’aka.

ACCOMMODATION IN ODZALA NP

Accommodation includes Mboko, Ngaga, and Lango Camps, offering eco-luxury stays.

BEST TIME TO VISIT ODZALA KOKOUA NP

The best time to visit Odzala is during the dry season, which runs from June to October, for maximized wildlife viewing during Congo safaris.

GETTING THERE

To reach Odzala, fly from Brazzaville to Mbomo or take a chartered flight.

Contact us and let us plan your adventure to one of the best wildlife safari parks in Congo!

OTHER NOTABLE WILDLIFE SAFARI PARKS IN CONGO

• Upemba NP (DR Congo) – Wildlife viewing in savanna and forest ecosystems.
• Kundelungu National Park (DR Congo)—in the south-eastern part of Congo with its southern sector underutilized for tourism but hosting the Lofoi Falls (one of Africa’s highest), hippos, African elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes.
• Nouabalé-Ndoki NP – Shared with the Republic of the Congo.
• Conkouati-Douli NP (Republic of Congo) – Marine turtles, dolphins, chimpanzees, mangroves, coastal lagoons
• Ntokou-Pikounda NP (Republic of Congo)
• Ogooué-Leketi NP (Republic of Congo)

Visit any of these safari parks in Congo for unforgettable safari experiences!

Packing List for Safari Parks in Congo Tours 

• Waterproof hiking boots & sandals
• Rain jacket & warm sweater
• Insect repellent & sunscreen
• Safari hat & backpack
• Camera with extra batteries
• Passport, travel documents & vaccinations
• Long-sleeved clothes, garden gloves, and a flashlight

It is worth noting that these items can also be used if extending safari excursions to neighboring countries like Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, the Central African Republic, etc.

Consult with a reputable tour operator on the most recommended items to pack for your Congo tours!

FAQs About National Parks in Congo 

1. How Many National Parks Are in Congo? 

Congo is a vast nation comprising the DR Congo and the Republic of Congo, bordered by several countries, including the Central African Republic, among others.

There are 10 major safari parks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega being the most visited, among others like Kundelungu National Park, etc.

While the Republic of Congo has 5 wildlife safari parks worth seeing during Congo safaris/Congo wildlife tours

2. Why Is Virunga National Park Famous? | What Is Special About Virunga National Park? 

It’s renowned for being the only mountain gorilla habitat in DRC that can be seen during Congo mountain gorilla trekking tours, the Nyiragongo Volcano with the largest lava lake in the world, and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3. Why Is Virunga National Park in Danger? | Is Virunga National Park in Danger? 

The Virunga National Park is in danger because of serious threats like rebel groups that caused armed conflicts in the region, poaching, lava eruptions, and security challenges. However, conservation groups and park rangers, who now receive paramilitary training to defend against armed groups and poachers operating in the parks, are actively protecting this park.

4. What Are The Safari Experiences Done In Wildlife Safari Parks of Congo? 

Congo’s wildlife safari parks offer adventurous experiences for intrepid travelers, including gorilla trekking, volcano hikes, and cultural encounters with tribal groups like the pygmies.

Tourists can spot rare faunal species such as bonobos and the Congo peafowl.

While many parks remain off the beaten path due to security and infrastructure challenges, organized tours and guided expeditions are available.

Longer stays, especially in remote parks like Garamba, are common to fully enjoy the safari experience.

The Wildlife Safari Parks in Congo offer Africa’s rawest safari adventures involving gorillas, active volcanoes, rainforests, and rare wildlife in untouched, truly wild landscapes. Reach out to us now and let us plan an adventure of a lifetime for you for unforgettable memories during Congo safaris!