NATIONAL PARKS OF CONGO

Tagged as the second largest country in Africa and the 11^th in the world, democratic republic of Congo also known as Zaire is a country located in central Africa. Kinshasa the capital of Zaire is one of the 26 provinces that country has .Democratic republic of Congo gained its name from river Congo, which is the deepest river in the world and second largest by density in the world. This country is a francophone country with French as their official language. This country is one of the Africa’s tourists destination with vast attractions, wildlife , lakes, mountains, and national parks that source tourists across the globe

Despite the political instabilities that country faces, democratic republic of Congo still has many natural resources and beautiful tourist destinations that it can be offer to the domestic and foreign groups of people. Among the tourist’s attractions that that country holds, national parks are one of the main honey pots for the country and they are listed below.

Garamba national park

Located in the north east region of the country, Garamba national park is one of the oldest parks in Africa with about 5200km. This park was established in 1938 as a world’s heritage site by UNESCO , and it has continually been a protected are for the country wildlife to prevent extinction of the various species. Among the parks wildlife, the “kordonfans” giraffes, white and black rhinos are the main attractions that are uniquely connected to the park.  Baboons, leopards, African buffalos, Ugandan kobs, are some of the wildlife that is found in the park.

Garamba national park is also home the largest population of elephants. The park also has other attractions such as river Dungu and river Garamba that habitat the parks aquatic life such as crocodiles, hippos and snakes.  Birds are other attractions that can be found in the park, these include Bee eater, heron, plover billed duck, pelican and pink backed pelican. etc.

For the activities enjoyed while in the park, these include birding, fishing, guided nature walks, boat cruise and game viewing. For the accommodation facilities there are a number of hotels, ranging from budget, midrange to luxury. For these include plaza hotel, flat petite zoo, new cosmos hotel and la trompette hotel among others.

Upemba national park

This park was established in 1939 with an area of 11730km. it is found in the southeastern region of democratic republic of Congo in haut- Lomami lualaba province (formerly Katanga). The park has two sectors, the lower sector which is the depression that consist lakes, vegetation and marshes. And for the higher section of the park is found in Kibara plateau.

This national park is endowed with a number of 45 mammal species that include Buffalos, Antelopes, Elephants, lions, and zebras etc. for birds the park has over 612 bird species that have attracted tourists across the globe. For example the Angola lark, fire finch, wattle crane, Nicator and honey guided Greenbul. River Congo, River Upemba, River Lualaba and Kiobo waterfalls are among the attractions that park holds.

For activities at the park one can participate in fishing, game viewing, birding, nature walks and cultural visits around the park.

Kahuzi Beiga national park

This is a protected area east of the Democratic republic of Congo, established In 1970 by the Belgian photographer and conservationist with an area of 6000 square. It is one largest national park that was named after the dormant volcanoes of mount Kahuzi and Beiga. This national park is well known for hosting the eastern low land gorillas that have been a great attraction for the park.

Kahuzi Beiga national park has over 136 mammal species e.g. bush Elephants, Elephants, Buffalos and alexander bush squirrels etc., 181 gorillas, 349 bird species and 1178 plant species and it also accommodates a primate species that include chimpanzees and owl faced monkeys among others.

Low land gorilla trekking, hiking of mount Kahuzi, nature walks, birding, cultural visits and Lwiro sanctuary visit are some of the activities that one can participate in the Kahuzi Beiga national park. For accommodation, there are a number of facilities that are found in Bukavu town that can be used for resting. For example hotel Kahuzi, Roby guest hotel, hotel Riviere Ruzizi etc.

Virunga national park      

Virunga national park is located in the eastern region of democratic republic of Congo in the Albertine Rift. It was established 1952 among the first protected area in Africa. The park consists of two active volcanoes, mount Nyamuragira and Mount Nyirangongo. The main attractions in the park are the endangered mountain gorillas that are about (200), Zongo falls, okapi wildlife, birds and Lola ya bonono sanctuary. For the activities there is gorilla trekking, birding, hiking, nature walks and cultural encounters. That can be involved in while at the park

Maiko national park.

This is one of the remote forest areas in democratic republic of Congo with 10885km; this national park is divided into three sectors; Nord Kivu, province Oriental, and Maniema. Maiko national park is a conservation area of ones of African endangered species that include; aquatic genet, eastern chimpanzees and African forest Elephant.

It house’s the world endemic species that are uniquely attached to that park i.e. the Congo peafowl, Okapi and eastern gorillas. And tourists can also pick interest in the parks activities such as gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, nature walks, game viewing and birding. Due to the inaccessibility and remoteness of the park, the provision of accommodation in the area is limited, thus camping in the near tours is the most suitable for the tourists.

Lomami national park

Lomami national park is one of Cong’s newly established parks in the country. This area was recognized in the late 2016 as national park, mostly known for harboring a number of primates and the beautiful Okapi and Congo peafowls.  Lesula, the newly discovered primate in Congo is situated in park together with Bonobo ape, Dray’s monkey, Tshopa red Colobus and Lomami red Colobus are some of the primates that can be viewed in the national park.

Wildlife view, birding, fishing, nature walks, boat cruise and cultural visits are some of the activities participated in while at Lomami national park.

All the above national parks have been a great pull of tourists into the country, as the national parks have greatly harbored a number of attractions that can only be experienced on a safari to Democratic republic of Congo.