Congo Travel Guide | Travel to Congo Africa | Congo Tourist Destination

The Democratic Republic of Congo, is located in the Central African region and is the third largest country in the African continent, in terms of area. In the early 19th century there were many European explorations that took place here, and it was not long before Belgium decided to make this country one of its colonies. Although Congo has had a very tumultuous history, it is in a more stable state today. Congo holds the distinction of being the largest supplier of cobalt in the world. Besides that, it also deals in export of diamonds and copper. The official languages spoken by the natives here are Swahili, Kongo, Lingala and Tshiluba. The main religion followed here is Christianity but traditional beliefs also co exist strongly.

Like in most other countries of Africa, hundreds of ethnic groups make up the people, each with their own individuality, traditions and way of life. In the villages, a form of communication through drums, was also developed- as the villages were quite far from each other. News related to marriage, death, births etc were all related through specific beats. Mythological stories are often told to children, in the ancient oral tradition. Music is another important art form here, often playing a very important role in all ceremonies also.

The capital city of Kinhasa has many interesting sights to see. The prehistoric and ethnological museums are a must see. The Lac de Ma Vallee, which is surrounded by an equatorial forest is also a favourite with tourists. The markets too are full of handicrafts of metal and wood items.  The National Museum, also has some beautiful pieces of art. The Frere Gillet Botanic garden, in the South,  is famous for its collection of rare orchids. Congo too has its share of national parks. The  Upemba National Park which is in the north east of Bukama, has many lakes, where animals like crocodiles, hippos, and different species of aquatic birds can be found.

In the south, one can also find, waterfalls such as the Kiobo, on the Lufira river, which is approx 1259 ft in height. The Upper Congo too has an important national park called the Garamba National Park. This park is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of grasslands, savannahs, and has many forests too. The park is home to four large mammals- elephants, giraffes, hippos, black and white rhinos. Two huge lakes are worth a mention here. Lake Albert is reputed to have more fishes than any other lake in Africa, and Lake Edward, is home to many species of birds. The Virunga National Park, in the province of North Kivu, covers more than 12,000 sq kms in area. Two mountains serve the purpose of acting as an enclosure for the many animals that roam freely within the territory. Mountain Gorillas are found in abundance here, besides other animals such as lions, elephants, hippos, and many other aquatic birds.

With so much to offer, it is no wonder that Congo is a hot tourist destination.

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