N S W E
Wildlife Expeditions

Wildlife of
Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa's deep-wild heart-where the Congo Basin rainforest shelters iconic endemics like bonobos and okapi, and where Virunga's misty volcanoes still hold mountain gorillas in one of the continent's most dramatic wild landscapes.
168 Species
2,267,048 km² Land Area
Overview

About Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) contains the largest share of the Congo Basin rainforest, a vast green expanse that functions as one of Earth's great biodiversity engines. Its wildlife character is defined by rarity and endemism: species found nowhere else, and animals that remain genuinely wild in remote, little-visited habitats. From forest elephants moving like shadows under towering trees to the secretive okapi and the uniquely social bonobo, the DRC offers a sense of discovery that few destinations can match-more expedition than standard safari.

Ecologically, the country spans an extraordinary gradient. The central basin is dominated by equatorial lowland rainforest threaded with peatlands and immense river systems, supporting rich primate communities, birds, and amphibians. In the east, the landscape rises dramatically into the Albertine Rift-home to montane forests and alpine zones on volcanic and glaciated peaks-creating refuge for globally important populations of great apes and many range-restricted species. This mix of flooded forests, swampy clearings, riverine corridors, and highland ecosystems helps explain why the DRC is a powerhouse for species diversity and evolutionary uniqueness.

Globally, the DRC is pivotal for conservation: protecting its forests helps stabilize regional water cycles and stores vast carbon, while its protected areas safeguard some of Africa's most threatened mammals. Iconic parks such as Virunga and Salonga are internationally significant not only for their wildlife, but also for the enduring work of Congolese rangers and conservation partners operating in challenging conditions. For wildlife enthusiasts, the experience is uniquely immersive-tracking primates in dense rainforest, watching river life from forest clearings and waterways, and witnessing conservation at the frontier in landscapes that still feel truly untamed.

Physical Features

Geography

Wildlife in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is strongly structured by the Congo Basin's vast lowland rainforests and the Congo River network, which create extensive, continuous forest habitat while also acting as barriers that separate populations (notably for primates). Seasonally flooded forests, swamps, and peatlands in the central basin support wetland-specialists, while the eastern edge of the country rises into the Albertine Rift (Virunga-Rwenzori) mountains, creating sharp elevational gradients that concentrate endemism (e.g., mountain and eastern lowland gorillas) and diverse montane habitats. Toward the south and southeast, rainfall decreases into woodland-savanna mosaics and miombo woodlands that favor different ungulate and predator assemblages; a short Atlantic coastline adds mangrove and estuarine habitats.

2,267,048 km² (land area) Land Area
~11th largest country in the world; 2nd largest in Africa (after Algeria) Size Rank

Key Landscapes

  • Congo Basin lowland rainforest (core habitat for okapi, bonobo, forest elephant)
  • Congo River system (Congo-Lualaba mainstem plus major tributaries such as the Kasai, Ubangi, Uele, Aruwimi; major dispersal corridors and barriers)
  • Cuvette Centrale: vast swamp forests and peatlands (seasonally flooded habitats, high carbon and wetland biodiversity)
  • Large wetland complexes and floodplains (including riverine marshes and backwater lakes)
  • Albertine Rift escarpments and mountains in the east (Virunga volcanoes, Rwenzori massif; strong elevational zonation and endemism)
  • Great Lakes region (Lakes Tanganyika, Kivu, Edward, Albert and associated shorelines, wetlands, and riparian forests)
  • Southern & southeastern plateaus and basins (Katanga/Lualaba region): miombo woodlands and forest-savanna mosaics
  • Isolated Atlantic coastline at the Congo River mouth (estuaries, coastal lagoons, mangroves)

Ecoregions

  • Central Congolian lowland forests
  • Northeastern Congolian lowland forests
  • Northwestern Congolian lowland forests
  • Western Congolian swamp forests
  • Eastern Congolian swamp forests
  • Albertine Rift montane forests
  • Rwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands
  • Southern Congolian forest-savanna mosaic
  • Northern Congolian forest-savanna mosaic
  • Angolan miombo woodlands
  • Central Zambezian miombo woodlands
  • Central African mangroves
Parks & Reserves

Protected Areas

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) protects globally important Congo Basin rainforest, vast swamp forests, savannas, and the Albertine Rift mountains/volcanoes. The protected-area system is led primarily by the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) and includes large National Parks (core biodiversity strongholds), wildlife/nature reserves (e.g., Okapi Wildlife Reserve), hunting domains/reserves in some regions, and a growing set of community-based and landscape-scale conservation initiatives (often supported by NGOs and local customary authorities). Several sites are designated under international frameworks (UNESCO World Heritage, Ramsar wetlands), and multiple protected areas form part of transboundary landscapes in the Albertine Rift (e.g., Greater Virunga).

Protected Coverage

Approximately ~12-13% of the DRC's land area is under formal protection (national parks and reserves; estimates vary by source and year, and do not fully capture community-managed areas and conservation concessions).

Notable Parks & Reserves

Virunga National Park

National Park; UNESCO World Heritage Site (in danger historically)

Africa's oldest national park protects an exceptional gradient from lowland forests and savannas to active volcanoes, supporting some of the continent's most iconic and threatened wildlife. It is a flagship site for mountain gorilla conservation and also holds key populations of large mammals around Lake Edward and the Rutshuru plains.

Mountain gorilla
Mountain gorilla
Eastern chimpanzee
African savanna elephant
African savanna elephant
Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus
Lion
Lion
Nile crocodile
Nile crocodile

Kahuzi-Biega National Park

National Park; UNESCO World Heritage Site (in danger historically)

A major Albertine Rift rainforest-and-montane ecosystem best known for safeguarding one of the most important populations of eastern lowland gorillas. Its mix of lowland forest and high-altitude habitat supports very high primate diversity and endemic Albertine Rift wildlife.

Eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer's gorilla)
Eastern chimpanzee
African forest elephant
African forest elephant
Owl-faced monkey
L'Hoest's monkey
Bongo
Bongo

Salonga National Park

National Park; UNESCO World Heritage Site (in danger historically)

The largest tropical rainforest national park in Africa, Salonga is a vast, remote stronghold for Congo Basin endemics and intact forest processes. It is among the most important protected areas for bonobos and other deep-forest wildlife.

Bonobo
Bonobo
African forest elephant
African forest elephant
Congo peafowl
Leopard
Leopard
Red river hog
Bongo
Bongo

Garamba National Park

National Park; UNESCO World Heritage Site (in danger historically)

A key conservation landscape where savanna, woodland, and gallery forest support classic big-game assemblages and one of the world's most threatened giraffe populations. Garamba is also a critical site for anti-poaching and large-landscape management in northeastern DRC.

Kordofan giraffe
African bush elephant
African bush elephant
Lion
Lion
Leopard
Leopard
African buffalo
African buffalo
Giant eland

Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Wildlife Reserve; UNESCO World Heritage Site (in danger historically)

Centered on the Ituri Forest, this reserve is the iconic stronghold for okapis and a major refuge for intact Congo rainforest biodiversity. It also protects important primate and forest-ungulate communities in a region of high endemism.

Okapi
Okapi
African forest elephant
African forest elephant
Eastern chimpanzee
Leopard
Leopard
Bongo
Bongo
Forest buffalo

Lomami National Park

National Park

A newer, large rainforest park created to protect rare central Congolese biodiversity and reduce pressure from commercial hunting. It is particularly notable for endemic primates and as an important bonobo landscape outside the better-known western strongholds.

Bonobo
Bonobo
Lesula (Cercopithecus lomamiensis)
African forest elephant
African forest elephant
Congo peafowl
African golden cat
African golden cat

Maiko National Park

National Park

Remote and difficult to access, Maiko protects extensive lowland rainforest that is vital for rare eastern Congo endemics and threatened megafauna. Its conservation importance is high even though tourism and wildlife viewing are limited by remoteness and security constraints.

Eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer's gorilla)
Okapi
Okapi
Eastern chimpanzee
African forest elephant
African forest elephant
Bongo
Bongo

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

  • Virunga National Park
  • Salonga National Park
  • Kahuzi-Biega National Park
  • Garamba National Park
  • Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Animals

Wildlife

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the ecological heart of the Congo Basin-the world's second-largest tropical rainforest-supporting one of Africa's richest wildlife assemblages. Vast lowland rainforests, swamp forests, mighty rivers, and isolated montane ecosystems in the east (including the Rwenzori-Virunga region) create a mosaic of habitats that drives exceptional species diversity and endemism. Iconic wildlife experiences are strongly forest-based: tracking great apes (bonobos, Grauer's gorillas, and mountain gorillas), searching for the elusive okapi, and exploring bird-rich forests and wetlands in protected landscapes such as Virunga, Kahuzi-Biega, Salonga, Okapi Wildlife Reserve, and Lomami.

~400+ species (including multiple great apes, forest specialists, and diverse bats/rodents) Mammals
~1,100+ species (one of Africa's richest national bird lists; strong forest and riverine diversity) Birds
~250-300 species (notably diverse snakes, lizards, and riverine crocodilians) Reptiles
~200-250 species (high rainforest and montane endemism; many localized frogs) Amphibians

Iconic Species

Okapi
Okapi A rainforest giraffid found almost entirely in the DRC; emblematic of the Ituri Forest. The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is the flagship landscape for this elusive species, though sightings are difficult due to dense habitat and shy behavior.
Bonobo
Bonobo The DRC is the bonobo's only range country. Strongholds include central basin forests such as Salonga National Park and other remote forest blocks; it is a defining primate for visitors focused on Congo Basin endemics.
Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Grauer's Gorilla) The world's largest gorilla subspecies, primarily confined to eastern DRC. Kahuzi-Biega National Park is the best-known place for this gorilla and a centerpiece of eastern Congo primate tourism and conservation.
Mountain Gorilla
Mountain Gorilla Virunga National Park protects part of the transboundary Virunga massif population (shared with Rwanda and Uganda). Gorilla trekking in the Virunga landscape is one of the country's most iconic wildlife experiences where security and access allow.
African Forest Elephant
African Forest Elephant A key Congo Basin flagship species. Forest elephants persist in several remote forest landscapes (including parts of Salonga and other basin strongholds), though they are highly threatened by poaching and habitat pressure.
Congo Peafowl A large, spectacular forest bird endemic to the central Congo Basin. It is sought-after by birders; most records come from remote lowland forests, and it is rarely seen due to dense habitat and low detectability.
African Grey Parrot
African Grey Parrot An iconic Congo Basin parrot associated with tall rainforest. The DRC has historically supported major populations, though trapping and forest loss have impacted numbers; best encountered in intact forest regions.
Common Hippopotamus
Common Hippopotamus River and lake systems across the country support hippos, with some of the most dramatic historical concentrations occurring in eastern protected areas such as Virunga's riverine plains (populations have fluctuated greatly with conflict and poaching).
Nile Crocodile
Nile Crocodile A prominent predator of major rivers and lakes, including parts of the Congo system and the Albertine Rift lakes. Often encountered on boat-based wildlife viewing where safe access exists.
Leopard
Leopard A widespread but secretive apex predator in both forest and savanna mosaics. In the DRC it represents the classic 'deep forest carnivore' experience, most often detected via signs and camera traps rather than direct sightings.

Endemic Species

Okapi
Okapi Endemic to the DRC's northeastern rainforests (especially the Ituri region); a global conservation symbol for the Congo Basin. Endemic
Bonobo
Bonobo Endemic to the DRC, restricted to forests south of the Congo River; one of the world's most range-limited great apes. Endemic
Congo Peafowl Endemic to the DRC's central lowland forests; a unique, ancient lineage among pheasants/peafowl with very localized, hard-to-survey populations. Endemic
Lesula (Lomami Monkey) A recently described guenon known from the Lomami landscape; a DRC endemic that highlights how much of the country's biodiversity remains under-documented. Endemic
Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Grauer's Gorilla) Endemic to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo; globally important as the largest gorilla subspecies. Endemic

Notable Populations

  • Only country in the world with wild bonobos (Pan paniscus).
  • One of the most important global strongholds for African forest elephants within the Congo Basin, though populations are heavily threatened and fragmented.
  • Holds the vast majority of the world's remaining Grauer's gorillas (eastern lowland gorillas), centered on eastern DRC forests including Kahuzi-Biega and adjacent landscapes.
  • Virunga National Park protects a significant portion of the transboundary mountain gorilla population (shared with Rwanda and Uganda).
  • Salonga National Park-among the largest tropical rainforest national parks-forms a major protected core for Congo Basin forest species, including bonobos and other forest specialists.
Protection

Conservation

Primary Threats

  • Widespread bushmeat hunting for local consumption and urban markets affects primates (bonobos, chimpanzees), forest antelopes, and other wildlife. In and around parks such as Salonga and Kahuzi-Biega, hunting pressure can spike when enforcement weakens or when conflict displaces communities and reduces alternative protein sources.
  • Illegal trade includes ivory (forest elephants), live animals, and high-value bushmeat moving along river and road corridors to major cities (e.g., Kinshasa, Goma, Kisangani). Trafficking networks can overlap with armed groups and cross-border routes in the east.
  • Artisanal and industrial mining (e.g., coltan, gold, tin, cobalt in the broader region) drives forest clearing, river siltation, and settlement growth, particularly in eastern provinces. Insecurity and informal mining camps inside/near protected areas create sustained poaching demand and degrade habitat (notably in the Kivu region landscapes).
  • Industrial concessions and informal logging supply domestic and regional markets. Selective logging opens road access into previously intact forest, increasing secondary impacts such as hunting and settlement, especially in the central basin and along navigable rivers.
  • Smallholder slash-and-burn agriculture expands around protected areas and along access routes, fragmenting forest and increasing edge effects. Population growth and displacement from conflict can accelerate conversion near parks like Virunga and in the Ituri landscape.
  • New or rehabilitated roads, bridges, and extractive-related corridors increase access to intact forest, facilitating land clearing and wildlife exploitation. Hydropower and other large projects can alter riverine ecosystems and trigger in-migration to project areas.
  • Heavy dependence on fuelwood and charcoal for household energy-especially around large urban centers and eastern cities-drives forest degradation and pressure on park buffer zones (e.g., charcoal production linked to the Virunga landscape). Overharvest of non-timber forest products can also rise with limited livelihood options.
  • Crop raiding and livestock predation near park boundaries (e.g., by elephants, primates, and carnivores in some landscapes) can lead to retaliatory killings, snaring, and reduced tolerance for conservation-particularly where communities see limited benefits from protected areas.
  • Mining-related contamination (mercury use in artisanal gold mining and sediment/chemical runoff) and urban waste can degrade waterways. Riverine pollution affects fisheries and freshwater biodiversity in tributaries feeding the Congo River system.
  • Zoonotic disease risks (e.g., Ebola outbreaks in parts of the Congo Basin) threaten great apes directly and can reduce conservation capacity through restrictions on fieldwork and tourism. Human encroachment and bushmeat handling increase pathogen transmission risk between people and wildlife.
  • Changes in rainfall patterns and increased temperature variability can affect forest phenology, swamp forests, and montane ecosystems in the east (Ruwenzori/Virunga highlands). Climate stress can interact with land-use pressures, altering fire risk in disturbed areas and affecting freshwater regimes.
  • Drainage/alteration of wetlands and peatlands, river modification near settlements, and fire use in degraded landscapes can shift ecosystem structure. Disturbance to Congo Basin peatlands is a particular concern because of carbon storage and hydrological functions.
  • Cumulative loss from agriculture, settlement, logging, mining, and charcoal production reduces contiguous forest blocks and connectivity between key landscapes for species such as bonobos and forest elephants. Fragmentation is most acute near population centers and transport corridors, especially in the east and along major rivers.
  • Armed conflict, displacement, and high human presence in and around protected areas disrupt wildlife behavior and impede ranger operations. In some eastern parks, insecurity leads to patrol gaps, illegal resource use, and reduced effectiveness of long-term management.
Visit

Wildlife Tourism

Wildlife tourism in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is defined by remote, high-biodiversity rainforest and volcanic/montane ecosystems-offering rare primate and forest-specialist encounters that are difficult to replicate anywhere else in Africa. Economically, tourism is smaller than in classic East/Southern African safari circuits, but it can be locally significant where it operates (especially around gorilla trekking hubs) through permit fees, guiding, porters, lodging, transport, and community-linked services. Historically, flagship protected areas such as Virunga (one of Africa's oldest national parks) and Salonga (Congo Basin wilderness) anchored conservation and research; modern wildlife tourism is still emerging and highly site-specific, with operations concentrated in relatively accessible pockets. Accessibility is the main practical constraint: long travel distances, variable road conditions, limited domestic flight networks, and the need for up-to-date security and permit planning. Many visitors plan around a small number of high-impact experiences (notably great apes and endemic forest species) and rely on experienced local operators for logistics, permits, and real-time route decisions.

Best Time to Visit

Practical seasonal guide (wildlife + travel conditions):
- January-February: One of the better windows for rainforest travel in several regions due to comparatively drier conditions between rainy seasons. Good for primate tracking (gorillas/bonobos where available), forest walks, and birding; trails are often more manageable.
- March-May (long rains in many areas): Lusher forests and excellent bird activity, but heavier rains can make trails muddy and river crossings/roads more difficult. Choose shorter, well-supported itineraries; expect slower travel.
- June-August (drier in much of the east; generally popular): Often the most reliable period for trekking in the eastern highlands. Good for eastern lowland gorilla trekking and volcano/alpine edge hiking where accessible; clearer views around high elevations can be more common.
- September-October: Another strong shoulder period-often good trail conditions with fewer crowds than peak months. Great for combining primate trekking with forest natural history walks and photography.
- November-December (short rains in many areas): Conditions vary; rain can return but windows of good weather can still allow successful treks. Forest fruiting peaks in some zones can increase primate activity, though logistics remain weather-dependent.
Notes: The DRC straddles the equator, so rainfall patterns vary by region (east vs central basin). For planning, prioritize a region first (eastern mountains vs Congo Basin rainforest) and then choose months based on local conditions and operator advice.

Top Wildlife Experiences

  • Track eastern lowland gorillas on foot with a specialist guide (small groups, permit-based), focusing on quiet forest movement, reading fresh nests, and respectful viewing time when a group is located.
  • Join an okapi-focused forest trek and sign-tracking walk (looking for footprints, browse marks, dung, and camera-trap hotspots) in primary rainforest habitat-one of Africa's most sought-after "forest unicorn" searches.
  • Do a bonobo tracking day in lowland rainforest with early starts and long listening stops, following calls and feeding signs; combine with time learning about primate research and community conservation programs where offered.
  • Take a dawn forest soundscape walk: identify primate calls, hornbills, and duikers by sound, then switch to slow photography along natural clearings and fruiting trees as the canopy wakes up.
  • Spend an evening spotlight walk/drive around forest-edge habitats to look for nocturnal species (e.g., galagos, civets, genets) with a red-filter light and a guide trained in low-impact night viewing.
  • Paddle or take a guided boat/canoe excursion on calm river sections or flooded forest edges (where safe and permitted) to search for waterbirds, crocodiles, and primates coming to drink-ideal for birders and photographers.
  • Hike to high-elevation viewpoints on the forest-alpine transition in the east, combining montane flora, endemic birds, and potential sightings of monkeys and forest antelope along the trail.
  • Visit a ranger-led conservation briefing and field demonstration (non-sensitive), learning how patrols, community partnerships, and monitoring protect key species; many trips pair this with a guided nature walk.
  • Build a "big primates + birds" itinerary: a dedicated birding day targeting Congo Basin specialties (hornbills, turacos, forest kingfishers) with strategic time at fruiting trees and forest clearings.
  • Plan a multi-day expedition-style rainforest trek with fly-camp support (where permitted) focusing on tracks, botany, and remote-wilderness immersion rather than speed-this is the classic Congo Basin adventure format.

Safari Types Available

  • Guided great-ape trekking (permit-based, small groups, on foot)
  • Forest walking safaris / natural history hikes (tracks, botany, birding, sound-based wildlife detection)
  • Birding-focused safaris (specialist guides, dawn-to-midday schedules, canopy/edge habitats)
  • Boat/canoe safaris on rivers and flooded-forest margins (season- and location-dependent)
  • Night walks / spotlighting for nocturnal mammals and amphibians (where permitted and safe)
  • Volcano/montane hiking combined with wildlife viewing (east, forest-alpine gradients)
  • Expedition-style wilderness trips (multi-day, remote camps, minimal infrastructure)
  • Community-based cultural + wildlife experiences (local guides, conservation projects, traditional forest knowledge)
Fun Facts

Did You Know?

The DRC is the only country that has wild bonobos-every bonobo on Earth lives naturally only south of the Congo River in the DRC.

One country, three great apes: the DRC is home to chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas (including both mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas).

Okapis-often called "forest giraffes"-are found only in the DRC, and were unknown to Western science until 1901 despite being a large, striking mammal (giraffe-family body with zebra-like stripes).

Africa's only native peafowl species, the Congo peafowl, is endemic to the DRC-if you see it in the wild, you're seeing a bird found nowhere else on the planet.

Even though it straddles the equator, the DRC includes alpine habitats (in the Rwenzori/Virunga highlands) alongside lowland rainforest-meaning you can go from steamy jungle to near-freezing mountaintops within the same country.

Holds the largest share of the Congo Basin rainforest-the world's second-largest tropical rainforest after the Amazon (a huge portion of the basin lies inside the DRC).

Salonga National Park is Africa's largest tropical rainforest national park (about 36,000 km²), protecting a vast block of intact Congo Basin forest.

Virunga National Park (created in 1925) is Africa's oldest national park-and one of the few places where you can go from lowland forests to alpine zones within a single protected area.

The eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer's gorilla), found only in eastern DRC, is the largest gorilla subspecies on Earth.

The Cuvette Centrale peatlands (spanning the DRC and Republic of the Congo, with much of it in the DRC) form the world's largest tropical peatland complex, a massive wetland habitat that also stores enormous amounts of carbon.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (not to be confused with the neighboring Republic of Congo) is the largest country by land area in all of sub-Saharan Africa. Situated at the center of the continent, this equatorial country is almost completely landlocked except for a sliver of coast along the Atlantic.

Geographically, the interior of the country is dominated by the central Congo basin. This flat plain is surrounded by high plateaus on almost every side, while the eastern border is separated from other countries by the massive Lake Tanganyika, Kivu, and Mweru. The Congo River, which flows directly into the Atlantic, is the most important river in the country and the second longest in all of Africa.

Another unique ecological feature of the DRC is the lush Congolian rainforest. As the second largest contiguous rainforest in the world, it contains some of the most unique wildlife found nowhere else, including gorillas and chimpanzees.

The Official National (State) Animal of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Javan Leopard

The Javan leopard is the most endangered species.

©abxyz/Shutterstock.com

The okapi, a short-necked member of the giraffe family, is an important cultural and national symbol, while the leopard has traditionally adorned the coat of arms for the Congo.

Additionally, due to its endangered state, the Dominican Republic designated the Bayahibe rose as the nation’s official flower and assured its protection.

Rarest Animals in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Family of gorillas

Gorillas are the biggest primates on earth and are found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

©Marian Galovic/Shutterstock.com

The Congo Basin, a mixture of rivers, forests, savannas, marshes, and flooded forests, it is bursting with life. The area is home to buffalo, elephants, and gorillas.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea are the six nations that make up the Congo Basin.

Here is a short list of some of the rarest animals found in the region:

Largest Animals in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Two male lions

Lions are one of the largest wild cats found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

©Maryke Scheun/Shutterstock.com

Compared to the Amazon and Southeast Asia, the Congo Basin countries score less well for biodiversity, but they contain a higher range of large-bodied mammals, including forest elephants as the leading species. In the jungles of Central Africa, bushmeat hunting is common.

Here are some large animals you can find in the Congo:

Additionally, the leopard is one of the largest wild cat predator in the jungle of the Congo Basin.

The Flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo

The second-largest nation in Africa is the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

©iStock.com/vistoff

In February 2006, the national flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was adopted. The flag is a sky blue flag with a yellow star in the upper left canton. The flag also has a red stripe with two thinner yellow stripes running diagonally across it.

Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in the Democratic Republic of Congo

sandhill crane

In the southeast of the Congo, a vast network of lakes, rivers, and wetlands make up Upemba National Park. It is a great place to find freshwater fish and unusual birds like the wattled crane and the shoebill.

©Brian Lasenby/Shutterstock.com

The DRC has set aside large parts of the sparsely occupied interior for the purpose of protecting its wildlife. This is where you can find some of the most unique animals in the country.

  • Virunga National Park is located along the eastern border near the city of Goma. Designated as an official UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park encompasses some 190 miles of savannas, river basins, rainforests, and mountains. Visitors can expect to find gorillas, chimpanzees, African bush elephants, aardvarks, warthogs, antelopes, and many species of unique birds.
  • Garamba National Park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the northeastern savanna and basin zone, the park is a rich source of elephants, buffalo, antelopes, hyenas, hippos, lions, and warthogs.
  • Kahuzi-Biega National Park (yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site) is situated along the west bank of Lake Kivu. It comprises some 2,300 square miles of both mountain and lowland terrain. Visitors can expect to find some gorillas, chimpanzees, hippos, elephants, baboons, leopards, peafowls, and other unique types of monkeys and birds.
  • Upemba National Park is comprised of a major network of lakes, rivers, and wetlands in the southeastern part of the Congo. It is an excellent source of freshwater fish and unique birds like the shoebill and wattled crane.

The Most Dangerous Animals in the Democratic Republic of Congo Today

Nile Crocodile Eating
The Nile crocodile is a huge, dangerous predator that can be found in practically every major river system in Africa. It has been known to occasionally attack people who inadvertently enter its domain. Fishing vessels have occasionally been seen to be grabbed by these reptiles.

The interior of the DRC contains several dangerous animals that people should try to avoid at all costs.

  • Hippopotamus – Despite being an herbivore, the hippo can easily kill a person. It is big, aggressive, and quick, both in and out of the water. It is believed that they are responsible for hundreds of deaths every year.
  • Nile Crocodile – Lurking within almost every major river system of Africa, the Nile crocodile is a large and fearsome predator with the occasional penchant to attack humans who accidentally stumble into its territory. These reptiles are sometimes known to grab fishers in their boats.
  • Puff Adder – These dangerous snakes live around the north and eastern fringes of the Congo. Due to their camouflaged colors, wide distribution, and toxic venom, it’s estimated that the puff adder is responsible for more bites than any other snake in Africa. There is always the danger of someone accidentally stepping on them as they lie in the dirt.
  • Black Mamba – Named for its inky black mouth, the black mamba is one of the largest and deadliest snakes in all of Africa. The potent mixture of neurotoxins will directly attack the nervous system. The death rate is quite high in untreated cases.

Endangered Animals in the Democratic Republic of Congo

white rhino

The threatened white rhino subspecies are in danger of going extinct. There are no known individuals left in the Congo, leaving only two known members of this subspecies, both of whom live in Kenya.

©meunierd/Shutterstock.com

Despite being officially protected, much of Congo’s unique wildlife is now in danger of becoming extinct from illegal poaching, habitat loss, and internal warfare.

  • Northern White Rhinoceros – This subspecies of the threatened white rhino is on the brink of becoming extinct. With only two known members of this subspecies remaining, both of which reside in Kenya, there are no known individuals remaining in the Congo.
  • Eastern Gorilla – Among the largest of all primates, the majestic eastern gorilla is native to the mountains and forests of the eastern Congo. It is estimated that less than 5,000 individuals remain in the wild.
  • Chimpanzee – These intelligent and inquisitive primates are native to northeast Congo. Because of habitat loss, poaching, and disease, the number of chimpanzees has fallen from a high of a million in the early 20th century to only about 150,000 to 250,000 now.
  • Bonobo – The bonobo is a close relative of the chimpanzee. It is estimated that no more than 50,000 individuals remain in the wild.
  • Dryas Monkey – This poorly understood primate resides in a very small section of the Congo River. Since they’re rarely spotted, it’s believed that the species is critically endangered.
  • African Elephant – Both the African bush elephant and African forest elephant have become endangered from habitat loss, poaching, and diseases. It is now at risk of becoming extinct.

Animals Found in Democratic Republic of Congo

168 species documented in our encyclopedia

Aardvark African Bush Elephant African Civet African Elephant African Fish Eagle African Forest Elephant African Golden Cat African Grey Parrot African Jacana African Palm Civet African Sugarcane Borer African Tree Toad Agama Lizard Antelope Ape Armyworm Australian Firehawk Baboon Barn Owl Barn Swallow Basenji Dog Basenji Mix Bat Bee-Eater Bichir Bird Snake Black Mamba Blacktip Shark  Blind Snake Boiga Bongo Bonobo Booby Boomslang Buffalo Bush Baby Bush Viper Caecilian Cane Rat Carp Catfish Chameleon Chimpanzee Cichlid Cobras Crane Cricket Crocodile Crocodylomorph Cuckoo De Brazza's Monkey Dolphin Dormouse Dwarf Crocodile Eastern Gorilla Eastern Lowland Gorilla Eland Electric Catfish Elephant Elephant Shrew Eurasian Sparrowhawk European Bee-Eater Flycatcher Forest Cobra Freshwater Eel Frog Fruit Bat Fulvous Whistling Duck Gaboon Viper Gecko Genet Gerbil Golden Mole Golden Oriole Goliath Beetle Goliath Tigerfish Goose Gorilla Great Egret Grey Heron Guinea Fowl Hedgehog Hippopotamus Honey Badger Honey Bee Hornbill Huntsman Spider Hyena Jacana Jack Crevalle Jackal Katydid Kestrel Killifish Kingfisher Klipspringer Lappet-faced Vulture Leopard Leopard Tortoise Lesser Jacana Lion Lizard Locust Loris Lungfish Madora Moth Mamba Manatee Marabou Stork Mongoose Monitor Lizard Monkey Moorhen Mountain Gorilla Mouse-Deer (Chevrotain) Night Adder Nile Crocodile Nile Monitor Nile Perch Okapi Olive Baboon Ornate Bichir Otter Oxpecker Pangolin Panther Parrot Pond Skater Porcupine Puff Adder Python Red-Billed Quelea Bird Rhino Beetle Rhino Viper Rhombic Egg-Eater Snake River Turtle Rock Hyrax Rock Python Sawfish Scarab Beetle Sea Eagle Sedge Warbler Serval Shoebill Stork Shrew Spanish Mackerel Sparrow Spiny bush viper Spitting Cobra Squirrel Stiletto Snake Stonechats Stork Swallow Tailless Whip Scorpion Tarantula Termite Tortoise Tree Viper (Bamboo Viper) Tsetse Fly Turaco Vine Snake Vinegaroon Warthog Waterbuck Weaver Birds Whinchat White Rhinoceros

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