Congo National Parks
Congo National Parks Safaris: Wildlife, Gorillas & Wilderness.
The Democratic Republic of Congo protects some of Africa’s most remarkable and least-visited wilderness, from Garamba’s savannas and elephants in the northeast to Salonga’s vast Congo Basin rainforest and the highland landscapes of southern DRC. But Congo’s tourism picture varies sharply by region: some parks have established conservation and visitor infrastructure, while others remain inaccessible, restricted, or still under tourism development.
Travel Update: Which Congo Parks Can You Actually Visit?
| National Park | Known For | Region | Tourism Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garamba | Elephants, giraffes, rare white rhinos | Northeast DRC | Tourism operating seasonally (Jan–Aug) |
| Salonga | Congo Basin rainforest, bonobos | Central DRC | Remote; specialist access and current arrangements should be confirmed |
| Kundelungu | Miombo woodland, waterfalls, highlands | Haut-Katanga | Tourism development underway — verify availability |
| Upemba | Lakes, wetlands, mountains | Haut-Lomami/Katanga | Travel restricted — verify before any inquiry |
| Kahuzi-Biega | Eastern lowland gorillas | South Kivu | Status uncertain — verify before booking |
| Virunga | Mountain gorillas, Nyiragongo | North Kivu | Closed — do not book |
Virunga National Park remains closed. Virunga National Park remains closed to tourism amid the continuing security situation in eastern DRC. Following the capture of Goma by the M23 rebels in 2025 and subsequent violence in the region, the Gorilla and Nyiragongo treks continue to be closed with no set date for reopening. We will not offer this adventure until that changes.
Upemba National Park has a serious current safety concern. In March 2026 armed attackers killed several staff at the park headquarters. We are not currently proposing Upemba as a travel option under any circumstances, and this isn’t a “check back later” caveat; it’s a firm no for now.
Garamba: Congo’s Most Practical Current Safari Option
With Virunga closed, Garamba offers the country’s clearest established safari opportunity. Managed jointly by African Parks and ICCN, the park protects savanna elephants, giraffes, and a rare population of white rhinos across open grassland and woodland in DRC’s far northeast. Garamba Lodge, just outside the park, provides accommodation for up to 20 guests, and access is possible by air to Nagero Airfield, with the flight from Goma taking approximately three hours, or by road from several regional towns or by road from Durba, Dungu, Aru or Isiro. Tourism runs seasonally, roughly from January through August, with international visits generally discouraged in July, so timing matters here more than at most safari destinations.
Salonga: Deep Congo Basin Rainforest
Salonga is the largest rainforest reserve in Africa and one of the most important carbon sinks on the planet, home to bonobos and extraordinary rainforest biodiversity. It’s genuinely remote, and reaching it takes real planning. This is a destination for travellers prepared for a true expedition, not a quick add-on to another itinerary.
Kundelungu & Upemba: Southern DRC Highlands
Kundelungu, in Haut-Katanga, is under active tourism development through a 2025 African Parks–ICCN partnership, with strong long-term potential but infrastructure still being built out, worth asking about rather than assuming it’s bookable. Upemba, nearby, is not currently a travel option given the recent security incident at its headquarters; we’ll revisit this if and when conditions genuinely stabilise.
Kahuzi-Biega: Eastern Lowland Gorillas, Status Uncertain
Kahuzi-Biega protects eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas), the world’s largest gorilla subspecies. Its gateway city, Bukavu, has been affected by the same regional conflict that closed Virunga, so we’re not treating this as confidently bookable. Confirm the current status with us directly before including it in any itinerary.
Is DRC Safe to Visit?
Safety varies considerably by region and can change quickly. Eastern DRC currently carries serious travel restrictions, and individual parks have their own separate operating and security situations, a park being “in the DRC” tells you very little on its own. Before proposing an itinerary, we review current government travel advice, park-specific information and local operating conditions. A destination being geographically outside a major conflict zone does not by itself mean that travel is currently advisable.
Congo Safari Options
Current DRC safari planning depends heavily on the destination. Garamba is the clearest established wildlife option, while Salonga and southern DRC require specialist planning and verification. Kahuzi-Biega and Virunga should not be presented as straightforward bookable gorilla products while current access remains uncertain or closed.
Plan Your Congo Safari
Interested in Garamba, Salonga or another DRC wilderness experience? Contact Chopper Tour and Travel with your preferred travel dates and interests. We’ll check what is genuinely accessible and help you build an itinerary around the destinations that can responsibly be visited at that time.
