Congo Safaris
Mysterious & wild, although scarred by their turbulent histories, the Congos are proving increasingly accessible for intrepid travellers seeking true adventure.
About Congo
Confusingly there are two Congos: the Democratic Republic of Congo, aka ‘the DRC’, and the Republic of Congo aka ‘Congo-Brazzaville’.
The DRC is the size of Western Europe, stretching from the Atlantic to Lake Tanganyika, and lying largely south of the eponymous river. Politically volatile, it’s a veritable cornucopia of wildlife, with iconic endemics such as bonobo, Grauer’s Gorilla, okapi, and Congo Peacock all roaming the planet’s second largest rainforest.
Congo-Brazzaville lies entirely north of the Congo River, and is approximately one-seventh the size of its southern neighbour. A former French colony, it is relatively wealthy, orderly, and untroubled. With just four million people living in an area the size of Germany, 65% of whom live in the two largest cities in the deep south, the extensive northern rainforest has remained remarkably pristine.
The gem of these forests is Odzala National Park, the top spot to see western lowland gorilla along with a host of lowland rainforest mammals, notably the forest elephant, forest buffalo, lowland bongo, and dozens of primates and duikers.
Odzala offers unparalleled access to the great central African rainforest which every serious safari aficionado should endeavour to visit at least once. A great deal more comfortable, varied, and productive than most people might envisage, there’s every chance you’ll yearn to return immediately after your trip.
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- Track western lowland gorilla on foot
- Stay on the edge of Lango Bai
- Kayaking and boating through the forests
- Photograph Forest Elephants and Buffalo
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Best Time To Visit Congo
Enjoy Congo’s dry season from June to September
Located along the equator, DRC enjoys warm weather all year round, with June and July marking the driest months.
The longer dry season in the south is best for visitors looking for the ultimate gorilla trekking experience, as the Virunga National Park won’t be as damp as in the wetter months. During this period, the gorillas may search for a higher altitude, so don’t be alarmed if you wind up following a longer hiking trail. Instead, use the opportunity to experience the incredibly lush natural landscapes and immerse yourself in one of the most gorgeous areas in Africa.
These drier months are ideal for a Nyiragongo volcano hike, as the paths are far less riskier than during the wetter months. However, don’t be surprised if you do experience some downpour, as passing showers are to be expected, even during the dry months. The thick, luscious forest also means that the area will be warm and humid during your hike, so the drier and cooler months are ideal if you want to avoid this.
Experience Congo’s summer from October to March
With regular rainfall during the wet season, you can expect to see gorgeous flowers blooming with breathtaking sunsets.
As the rainy season comes, so does some of Congo’s most stunning flora and fauna. These months are filled with tropical thunderstorms along with bright, blue skies and hot weather, giving some of the most colourful safari experiences in any national park. Forests are blooming, and the sunsets are exceptionally spectacular during this quieter part of the year.
The start of the year sees Congo experience a short dry spell, with 30-degree heat while you may still experience the occasional shower to cool down in. This weather is ideal for hiking and boating, or exploring the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, where the bountiful fruits mean that you can witness the gorillas feeding in the trees.
Best Time To Visit Congo
Talk to our Experts
They’ll be happy to let you in on their travel secrets, and help you plan a tailor-made trip that’s truly unforgettable.
Congo’sParks & Areas
Experience everything you’d expect from an African safari and more at any one of Congo’s national parks, regardless of what time of year you choose to visit.
Odzala National Park
Come and see the western lowland gorilla, African forest buffalo, and the critically endangered African forest elephant in the spectacular rainforest of Odzala National Park.
– Track western lowland gorilla on foot
– Stay in the treehouses of Lango Camp
– Rainforest wildlife including forest elephant and buffalo
– Kayaking and boating through the jungles
Virunga National Park
Africa’s oldest national park, Virunga has a diverse landscape unlike any other on the continent from glacier to marsh, volcano to tropical rainforest and everything in between.
– Gorilla trekking with expert guides
– Brilliant birding
– Hugely diverse national park
– Volcano views and landscapes
Our Favourite Camps & Lodges
Time at Lango is truly about getting up close with nature, walking in the footsteps of elephants through streams, bais and forests.
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Mboko Camp’s ten double/twin rooms are set above a small tributary of the nearby Lekoli River while the main mess area overlooks a large savannah-like plain.
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Being built on raised platforms takes you up into the canopy and makes you feel like your floating among the trees.
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Spacious stone thatched cottages, each with their own private forest clearing in front are generously spaced, while inside there is a fireplace that is lit each evening.
Learn MoreCongo (FAQs) Need to Know
What’s the best safari in Congo?
Virunga and Odzala National Parks are two of the finest yet least-visited National Parks in Africa.
Virunga offers Mountain Gorilla tracking opportunities as well with classic plains game and the chance to scale an active volcano. Odzala allows unparalleled access to Africa’s great rainforest in remarkable comfort and style. Highlights include Lowland Gorilla, Forest Elephant and First Buffalo but there is a huge amount to see besides – multiple primates and a multitude of colourful birds.
When is the best time to go on a Congo safari?
While many people will opt for the high, dry season for a safari, there’s no doubt that the wetter months also offer an unforgettable experience and in the case of a rainforest – which a Congo safari by definition is – it’s all relative as rain can, and does, fall at any time of year.
How many days do I need on safari in Congo?
With a twice weekly scheduled charter service from Brazzaville to Odzala there is the option to spend 4, 7 or 11 nights in the Park and even combine Odzala with Dzangha-Sangha National Park in the neighbouring Central African Republic. We’d suggest at least a week, largely in order to spend quality time in each tof the various biomes and but also because it is difficult to combine Odzala with anywhere else.
Virunga on the other hand can be combined with lots of other places in the region and access is through Rwanda. How long you might want to spend in the Park may be at least in part be determined by how much of it is open to visitors. Ongoing security concerns mean that currently the savannah sector is out of bounds, leaving the Gorilla sector and scaling the volcano – which if you were to do both might take 4 or 5 days, and if only one as little as 3 days.
From Our Travel Guides
Meet Our Travel Experts
It takes genuine local knowledge to craft trips that go beyond the ordinary. The Natural High team have unrivalled experience and will take your ideas and turn them into your trip of a lifetime.
Into The Wild Brochure
Need some more inspiration? Request a copy of Into The Wild, our comprehensive anthology of safaris and wilderness travel.
A print anthology of safari and wilderness travel with over 220 pages of travel inspiration.