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Democratic Republic of Congo

Carpeted by huge swaths of rainforest and punctuated by gushing rivers and smoking volcanoes, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, formerly Zaire) is the ultimate African adventure. As much a geographical concept as a fully fledged nation, DRC has experienced one of the saddest chapters in modern history, suffering a brutal 20th century of colonial exploitation, authoritarian madness and what has been dubbed Africa's first 'world war', which finally ended in 2003 with the rise of the Kabila political dynasty.

While real stability remains many years away, the presence of the world's largest UN peacekeeping force has bred some optimism among its tormented but resilient population. In the Northeast, this optimism and the small but fast-growing tourism industry centred on the incredible Parc National des Virunga were derailed by the kidnap of two British nationals in May 2018. With the park closed since, the future for one of Africa's most thrilling destinations is even more challenging.

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Democratic Republic of Congo.

  • National Park

    Parc National des Virunga

    DRC's magnificent calling card is Virunga, Africa's oldest national park and home to mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and the incredible, active Nyiragongo…

  • Volcano

    Nyiragongo

    Perhaps DRC's most magnificent single sight, active volcano Nyiragongo soars above the city of Goma and the surrounding Virunga National Park and sends…

  • Wildlife Reserve

    Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary

    Ninety minutes west of Kinshasa, just beyond the city's sprawl, this excellent project provides a home for orphaned bonobos. Long thought to be…

  • National Park

    Parc National de Kahuzi-Biéga

    South Kivu's star attraction is this national park, where you can track habituated eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas) for just US$400 per person…

  • Waterfall

    Chutes du Zongo

    A popular day trip from Kinshasa despite the expensive 4WD hire (US$200) necessary to get here, the gorgeous 65m-high Zongo Falls are one of DRC's most…

  • Museum

    Musée National de Kinshasa

    This amazing ethnographic archive comprising some 45,000 objects has been waiting patiently for its new home, a US$10 million prestige investment from…

  • Zoo

    Serpents du Congo

    This excellent snake farm is located 28km from downtown Kinshasa and makes for a great day out. Owner Franck will gladly show you the poisonous and…

  • Wildlife Reserve

    Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage

    Provided you make it back from your gorilla track in a timely fashion, it should be possible to visit the world’s only mountain gorilla orphanage, which…

  • Waterfall

    Boyoma Falls

    Formerly Stanley Falls, Boyoma Falls are a series of rapids (waterfalls is a bit of a stretch) on the Congo River spread out over 100km south from…

  • Island

    Idjwi Island

    Floating out in the middle of Lake Kivu, Idjwi Island is, at 340 sq km, the second-largest lake island in Africa. Isolated from Congo's decades of war, as…

  • Notable Building

    Palais de la Nation

    Built in 1956 as the official residence of the Belgian governor general in Kinshasa, the Palais de la Nation was where Congo's first president, Patrick…

  • Monument

    Laurent Kabila's Tomb

    This tomb of former president Laurent Kabila (1939-2001) is worth seeing, although reaching it involves passing through several layers of security in the…

  • Lake

    Chutes de Lukaya

    A great day trip from Kinshasa, the Chutes de Lukaya have a wonderful natural setting, a decent restaurant (open at the weekend only), natural lakes to…

  • Beach

    Tshopo Falls

    Tshopo Falls, 3km north of Kisangani by the dam and the old Skol Brewery, is a pleasant place to enjoy the river. The sandy beach here was swept away in…

  • Market

    Marché Central

    This one of the largest markets in Central Africa, and is worth visiting for the intrepid. Watch your belongings (better still, bring nothing with you at…

  • Mosque

    Mosque

    Looking rather more like something you'd find in Northern India than Central Africa, Kisangani's imposing green, turreted mosque overlooks the Congo River…

  • Notable Building

    Palais du Peuple

    The Palais du Peuple (People's Palace) is home to DRC's legislature, made up of the National Assembly and Senate. It is not open to the public.

  • Gallery

    Académie des Beaux-Arts

    This regarded art school has loads of sculpture around the grounds, and you can often see students and professors at work.

  • Cathedral

    Nôtre Dame Cathedral

    Built under Belgian rule in 1947, this brick cathedral is one of Kinshasa's most important religious buildings.

  • Church

    Église Ste Anne

    Part of a large missionary compound, the Église Ste Anne is Kinshasa's main Catholic church.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Democratic Republic of Congo.

  • Activities