However, years passed and D. R. Congo took a wrong turn and went through intense years of leadership that saw many rebellions and riots caused by certain events like the assassination of Patrice Lumumba.
In 1997, the Democratic Republic of Congo fell into its first war that saw the overthrow of President Mobutu who had seized power through a military coup de tat in 1971. Over 5.4 million people died in the second war that took place in 1998 and it ended with the assassination of then President Laurent Desire Kabila by his bodyguard. Joseph Kabila then took office in 2001 and lost the 2018 election to Felix Tshisekedi the current president.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country by land mass in Africa. It has however in several occurrences been ignored as a safari destination. D. R. Congo is a spectacular tour destination that can fit any traveler's wish list. This is because of the several flora and fauna species that harbor this vast land. D. R. Congo has incredible physical features that attract not just tourists but also geographers, scientists, naturalists, and archeologists to mention but a few. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s vastness stretches from East Africa to the far west on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
Why is D. R. Congo a unique tour destination?
Congo is blessed with incredible features and wildlife that are worth checking out. Below are some reasons you should include the Democratic Republic of Congo on your safari adventure.
Mountain gorillas
Mountain gorillas are the major highlight of any safari tour in D. R. Congo given their uniqueness and rareness. Mountain gorillas are primate species of the gorilla family that reside in the mountainous and highland areas thus their name mountain gorillas. These primate species are endangered because they are only located in the Virunga Conservation Area and not anywhere else. This area stretches from Congo through Uganda to Rwanda.
The mountain gorillas are social beings since they share over 98% of their DNA with humans and live in groups called families. Each gorilla family is led by a dominant male gorilla called a silverback because of the silver-like fur at their low backs. There can be more than one silverback in the family but with only one dominant silverback.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, mountain gorillas can be encountered in the Virunga National Park. This is one of the oldest parks in Africa having been established in 1925 covering about 7,769 square kilometers. The steep terrain and rainforest vegetation favor the occupation of the endangered mountain gorillas. The endangered mountain gorillas have made the Democratic Republic of Congo a unique tour destination longing for exploration.
Eastern lowland gorillas
Like their cousins the mountain gorillas, the eastern lowland gorillas are rare primate species. Their name signifies their location and occupation i.e. in the lowland areas in the east region of Africa. Kahuzi-Biega National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo is the best place to encounter the eastern lowland gorillas in their natural habitat.
Though Kahuzi-Biega National Park is made up of two mountains Kahuzi and Biega, the lowlands on the foothills of these mountains host these primates. In East Africa, the eastern lowland gorillas are only available in Kahuzi-Biega National Park of D, R. Congo making this rare primate encounter a unique experience that should hit your bucket list.
Mountain Nyiragongo
Mount Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano in Virunga National Park at 3,470 meters above sea level. It tops the charts as the most active volcano in the world having erupted more than 34 times since 1984. Mount Nyiragongo also has the biggest lava lake stretching over 1.2 kilometers with a depth of 200 meters. Mount Nyiragongo last erupted in 2022 causing heavy displacement of people and loss of property and lives in the Goma areas. A visit to the mountain and observing the lava lake on the top offers incredible scenes.
River Congo
The Congo River is a physical feature that makes the Democratic Republic of Congo unique from other tour destinations. This river stands out as the second longest river in the world after the Amazon River in Brazil. It hosts over 700 species of fish and is the main source of water for the species in the Congo forest and the neighboring communities. The river also houses crocodiles, hippos, and other bird species.
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is a national reserve that is prominent for hosting the elusive okapi and other species. The okapi is a unique and rare animal that is resident in the Democratic Republic of Congo and not anywhere else in East Africa. This reserve covers over 12,000 square kilometers with different vegetation zones of savannah grassland, woodland, and dense rainforests.
A safari tour to the Okapi Wildlife Reserve doubles as a cultural encounter experience since the tour in the reserve is led and guided by the Mbuti pygmies who are the dwellers of the reserve areas. Visitors can learn different skills of the Mbuti pygmies like hunting and gathering and also their culture and lifestyle as you track the okapi.