National Parks in The Republic of the Congo & DRC

National Parks in The Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)

This region is highly regarded for its dense, untouched rainforests and western lowland gorilla conservation.

1. Odzala-Kokoua National Park: Spanning 13,500 sq km in the northwest, it is the most famous for its lush rainforests and swampy forest clearings (bais). It is a premier destination for western lowland gorilla tracking and forest elephant viewing.

2. Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park: Located in the north, it spans 3,921 sq km and is known for its incredible biodiversity and deep, untouched wilderness.

3. Ntokou-Pikounda National Park: Known as the “Green Abyss,” this 4,572 sq km park is a massive sanctuary for gorillas and chimpanzees.

4. Ogooué-Leketi National Park: Established in 2018, this 3,500 sq km park sits in the southwest, linking vital conservation areas with neighboring Gabon.

National Parks in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The DRC is much larger and boasts nine officially protected national parks, ranging from volcanoes to mangrove swamps.

1. Virunga National Park: Established in 1922, it is Africa’s oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in the east, it is world-famous for mountain gorilla treks and hiking the Nyiragongo volcano.

2. Kahuzi-Biega National Park: Located near Bukavu and Lake Kivu, this UNESCO-listed park protects the eastern lowland gorillas.

3. Salonga National Park: At 36,000 sq km, it is the largest tropical rainforest national park in Africa. It sits in the Congo River basin and is heavily focused on bonobo and forest elephant protection.

4. Garamba National Park: Located in the northeast, it is known for vast savanna grasslands and a small population of the endemic Congolese giraffe.

5. Mangroves National Park: The only marine-oriented national park in the country, located at the mouth of the Congo River, protecting vital mangrove ecosystems and manatees.

6. Lomami National Park: Found between Kisangani and Kinshasa, it spans 8,879 sq km and features unique primate species such as the lesula.

7. Upemba, Kundelungu & Maiko National Parks: These are more remote, vast wilderness parks in the southeastern and central parts of the country.