Democratic Republic of Congo
Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is a mysterious place. Stories of war and massacres, violence and tragedies echo in the whispers of its name. And yet deep within its forests are found unmeasurable amounts of beauty. Home to a third of the last remaining mountain gorillas, as well as forest and savannah dwelling wildlife, the Virunga forest is incredibly rewarding for the brave of heart who accept to walk its enchanting paths. Towering over Goma, Eastern Congo’s capital stands Mt Nyiragongo, tall and imposing. And it can be - one of the world’s most active volcanoes, the lava lake atop its crater is perhaps one of the most bizarre and beautiful sights you will ever witness.
A few of our favourite places in the DRC...
Virunga’s Southern Sector
Gorilla and Chimp Trekking
Virunga National Park is perhaps best known for its stronghold against militia, rebel groups and oil corporations, all seeking the park’s destruction for its minerals and high-value resources. A true success story, we could write endlessly about Virunga’s beauty. Home to some of the last Mountain Gorillas in the world, Virunga National Park’s Southern Sector has been entirely secured by park authorities, to promote safe tourism in the region. Perhaps one of the most rewarding ways to view gorillas, every dollar matters for Virunga, which makes your visit here both worthwhile and meaningful. Some would say emotional, too. For the gorilla and chimp treks, habituated families reside within the beautiful volcanic forest near Kibumba and Mikeno lodges. Rumangabo Station, the Park’s headquarters, is located just behind Mikeno Lodge, home to the only Gorilla Orphanage in the world, and to the famous André who would give his life to protect his Senkwekwe Orphanage residents. Mikeno is located in a place of pure beauty, overlooking the mystic Virunga forest.
Mt Nyriagongo
Hike the ‘Moto Mlima’
One of Africa’s most active volcanoes looms silently over Goma, Eastern Congo’s capital. Responsible for the destruction of the city in 2002 and 2021, but also for the immensely fertile lands in the region, the volcano is always undergoing explosions – its lava lake bubbles continuously atop the crater, at 3500m high. This ‘Moto Mlima’ (fire mountain) can be climbed – and we cannot recommend this more! A strenuous trek, but rewarding nonetheless, lyrical chimpanzee cries echo around hikers as they make their way to the top. And when night falls, wondrous colours emerge from the pit as it comes alive in oozing motions of orange and red. A hypnotising and mesmerising sight that is well worth the effort. Spend the night at the top, far from the world, lost in the sight of flowing lava, a mug of something warm keeping the cold at bay.
Tchegera Island
The Half-Moon Retreat
For kayak, beach and water lovers seeking a retreat from the world in a unique setting and with a meaningful impact, few places are as fitting as Tchegera Island. Shaped in the form of a crescent moon, Tchegera offers beautiful views of the Virunga Mountains and of Mt Nyiragongo. If you’re lucky, and the night is clear, you may just be blessed with the milky way illuminating the volcanic plume of red smoke gently emerging from the crater, like a lava lamp in the night.
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