The Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R. Congo), formerly known as Zaire or Congo-Kinshasa, is one of the world’s wealthiest countries in terms of natural resources. It is located in Central Africa and borders Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania to the east; South Sudan to the northeast; Zambia to the southeast; the Central African Republic to the north; Angola to the southwest; and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
D.R. Congo is the most populated French-speaking country in the world, with about 110 million people. It is the second-largest country in Africa by land area and the 11th largest globally. Kinshasa, its capital, is also the most populated city in Africa.
The country is named after the Congo River, which flows across much of its land. The river is the deepest in the world and has the second largest water discharge of any river. Its name comes from the ancient Kingdom of Kongo, once ruled by the Bakongo people who lived along its banks.
D.R. Congo receives high rainfall, which supports the Congo Rainforest—the second largest in the world after the Amazon. This rainforest is home to unique wildlife and is one of the richest ecosystems on earth.
The country is the only place where you can find both subspecies of gorillas: mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas). Mountain gorillas live in the highlands, while Grauer’s gorillas are found in the lowlands. Both are among the largest primates in the world and are protected in special ecozones in Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo.
Gorilla destinations in D.R. Congo
- Virunga National Park: Virunga is the oldest national park in Africa, created in 1925, and covers about 3,120 square miles. It is the most biodiverse park on the continent and is home to mountain gorillas. The park also contains two active volcanoes, Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo, which add to its attractions. Gorilla trekking here allows visitors to see different gorilla families up close.
- Kahuzi-Biega National Park: This park is the main home of eastern lowland gorillas. It was established in 1970 to protect and conserve this subspecies. The park’s name comes from Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, which lie within it. Managed with support from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the park offers gorilla trekking permits at 400 USD per person. Treks usually start from Bukavu town.
Best time to visit D.R. Congo
The country lies on the Equator, with parts in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Its climate is different from some of its neighbors. While there are two main dry seasons, rain can fall at any time and is sometimes heavy even in the dry months. The best times to visit are July to September and December to February, when conditions are more favorable for travel.
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