
Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in Kisangani, Congo (Kinshasa)
1. Salonga National Park
Largest tropical rainforest reserve in Africa, home to numerous primate species including bonobos and chimpanzees.
- Primate Population: Offers the highest concentration of bonobos and chimpanzees in the world.
- Rainforest Biodiversity: Protects over 300 species of mammals, 600 bird species, and numerous reptile and amphibian species.
- Remote Location: Requires a challenging journey by boat or foot to access, making it a true adventure for wildlife enthusiasts.
2. Tumba Tumba Wildlife Reserve
A small but significant reserve offering a chance to see western lowland gorillas, elephants, and several primate species.
- Gorilla Tracking: Provides an opportunity for gorilla tracking experiences with a small number of visitors.
- Community-Based Conservation: Works closely with local communities to promote conservation and sustainable development.
- Accessibility: Easier access compared to other parks, reachable by car from Kisangani.
3. Upemba National Park
A large park known for its diverse wildlife including elephants, hippos, and crocodiles, as well as a variety of bird species.
- Wetlands: Home to significant wetland ecosystems that support a rich diversity of wildlife.
- Elephant Migration: Supports one of the last remaining elephant migrations in Central Africa.
- Challenging Conditions: Requires a well-prepared expedition due to the remote and sometimes difficult terrain.
4. Kundelungu National Park
A relatively unknown park offering opportunities to see gorillas, chimpanzees, and a variety of other primates.
- Primate Tracking: Offers tracking experiences for gorillas and chimpanzees in a less-crowded environment.
- Community Involvement: Works closely with local communities to promote conservation and sustainable development.
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience: Provides a more authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience for wildlife enthusiasts.
5. Garamba National Park
A large park known for its elephant population and the rare Northern white rhino.
- Rhino Conservation: One of the last remaining habitats for the critically endangered Northern white rhino.
- Elephant Migration: Supports one of the largest elephant populations in Central Africa.
- Challenging Conditions: Requires a well-prepared expedition due to the remote and sometimes difficult terrain.
6. Virunga National Park (North sector)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can see mountain gorillas and other wildlife like elephants and hippos.
- Mountain Gorilla Tracking: Offers an opportunity to track the critically endangered mountain gorillas.
- Biodiversity: Home to a diverse array of wildlife including elephants, hippos, and numerous bird species.
- Volcanic Landscape: Provides breathtaking views of active volcanoes and stunning landscapes.
7. Maiko National Park
A park known for its chimpanzee population and the opportunity to see elephants in swampy habitats.
- Chimpanzee Tracking: Offers an opportunity to track wild chimpanzees in a remote and pristine forest.
- Swamp Ecosystems: Home to significant swamp ecosystems that support a rich diversity of wildlife.
- Challenging Conditions: Requires a well-prepared expedition due to the remote and sometimes difficult terrain.
8. Ngiri-Tumba Faunal Reserve
A small reserve offering an opportunity to see western lowland gorillas and several primate species.
- Gorilla Tracking: Provides an opportunity for gorilla tracking experiences with a small number of visitors.
- Community-Based Conservation: Works closely with local communities to promote conservation and sustainable development.
- Accessibility: Easier access compared to other parks, reachable by car from Kisangani.
9. Kahuzi-Biega National Park
A park known for its eastern lowland gorillas and the opportunity to see other primates like chimpanzees.
- Gorilla Tracking: Offers an opportunity to track the critically endangered eastern lowland gorillas.
- Biodiversity: Home to a diverse array of wildlife including several primate species, elephants, and numerous bird species.
- Challenging Conditions: Requires a well-prepared expedition due to the remote and sometimes difficult terrain.
10. Natala Wildlife Reserve
A small reserve offering an opportunity to see western lowland gorillas and several primate species.
- Gorilla Tracking: Provides an opportunity for gorilla tracking experiences with a small number of visitors.
- Community-Based Conservation: Works closely with local communities to promote conservation and sustainable development.
- Accessibility: Easier access compared to other parks, reachable by car from Kisangani.
11. Tshopo Faunal Reserve
A reserve known for its elephant population and the opportunity to see other wildlife like hippos and crocodiles.
- Elephant Population: Supports a large and significant elephant population.
- Wildlife Diversity: Home to a diverse array of wildlife including hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
- Challenging Conditions: Requires a well-prepared expedition due to the remote and sometimes difficult terrain.
12. Lomami National Park
A new park offering opportunities to see gorillas, chimpanzees, and several other primate species.
- Primate Tracking: Offers tracking experiences for gorillas and chimpanzees in a less-crowded environment.
- Community Involvement: Works closely with local communities to promote conservation and sustainable development.
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience: Provides a more authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience for wildlife enthusiasts.
13. Baie de Fungurume
A wetland area offering opportunities to see several bird species and other wildlife.
- Wetlands Biodiversity: Home to a rich diversity of bird species and other wildlife.
- Community-Based Conservation: Works closely with local communities to promote conservation and sustainable development.
- Accessibility: Easier access compared to other parks, reachable by car from Kisangani.
14. Ikela Wildlife Reserve
A small reserve offering an opportunity to see western lowland gorillas and several primate species.
- Gorilla Tracking: Provides an opportunity for gorilla tracking experiences with a small number of visitors.
- Community-Based Conservation: Works closely with local communities to promote conservation and sustainable development.
- Accessibility: Easier access compared to other parks, reachable by car from Kisangani.
15. Lomami-Tshuapa Landscape
A vast landscape offering opportunities to see gorillas, chimpanzees, and several other primate species.
- Primate Tracking: Offers tracking experiences for gorillas and chimpanzees in a less-crowded environment.
- Community Involvement: Works closely with local communities to promote conservation and sustainable development.
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience: Provides a more authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience for wildlife enthusiasts.