In the heart of Central Africa, the Republic of Congo reveals a fascinating face, between primary forests, golden savannahs and Atlantic beaches. Here, nature reigns supreme, home to species such as the gorilla and the elephant, as well as powerful waterfalls and ubiquitous flora. As well as this wealth of wildlife, the country also attracts travellers with the warmth of its people, the energy of Brazzaville and the seaside charm of Pointe-Noire. A confidential destination, Congo promises an authentic adventure, at the crossroads of nature and African culture.
1. Wander around Brazzaville, the capital of Congo
The first thing we recommend you do in the Congo is visit its capital, Brazzaville. A city bursting with energy! You absolutely must see its most emblematic monuments, such as the Nabemba Tower and the Basilica of Saint-Anne. Later, head to the Total market to stock up on a multitude of gourmet products, including fruit, vegetables, fish and a variety of meats. What we loved most about Brazzaville was the locals' love of beautiful clothes, the art everywhere, stopping off at restaurants to try some of the specialities and listening to the local music.
Discover Brazzaville, the green, vibrant and culturally rich capital of the Republic of Congo , by booking this cultural and historical guided tour.
2. Marvel at the Loufoulakari Falls
These falls are just 75 km from Brazzaville, in the Pool department. It's the perfect place for a nature getaway, with its waterfalls, tropical vegetation and breathtaking rock formations. Local communities regularly gather near the falls to continue their traditional practices. The best time to visit Loufoulakari Falls is during the dry season. Guided excursions are available from Brazzaville.
Read more: Top 10 most spectacular waterfalls in the world
3. Meet the gorillas in Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Unquestionably one of our favourite activities on our trip to Congo, one of the best destinations for seeing gorillas! The Odzala-Kokoua National Park is located in the north-western part of the Republic of Congo. A safari there is an opportunity to discover one of the largest tropical forests in the world, with over 1 million hectares of wilderness. It is home to many animal species, including the impressive gorilla. But you can also see chimpanzees, elephants, hippos and a variety of bird species.
Don't forget to read our top tips for visiting this national park, one of the most fascinating in the Republic of Congo!
4. Flying over Lake Télé, a must-see in Congo
Nature lovers should expect to be in for a real treat in the Congo, a surprising destination! Lake Télé lies in the heart of the equatorial forest in the north-west of the country. Difficult to access, the best way to see it is to plan a plane trip. And the view is simply sublime, between the forest and the floating meadows that stretch as far as the eye can see and the lake, with its almost perfect circular shape and a diameter of 5 km. A little anecdote you'll love to know: local legend has it that the bottom of the lake is home to the Mokélé-mbembé, a sort of African Loch Ness!
5. Pack your bags for a few days in Pointe-Noire
Pointe-Noire is Congo's second largest city. It owes its development to its major port activity. Don't miss the railway station, built in the 1930s. Another must-see is the big market, always full of life and where you can find a bit of everything. Pointe-Noire, the Congo's seaside resort on the Atlantic coast, is also a great place to enjoy the beach. We recommend putting down the towel for a few hours at Pointe-Indienne, with its long stretches of sand and palm trees.
Fancy a holiday in the Congo? Take advantage of a discount by booking your travel insurance here your travel insurance and leave with peace of mind!
6. See the Diosso Gorges, one of the most beautiful places in the Congo
We loved hiking in the Diosso Gorges, one of the country's most impressive natural sites. This natural landscape takes the form of a steep-sided canyon. The contrast between the red rock formations and the green vegetation is striking. The gorges are home to tropical forests that support a rich ecosystem. The site is 35 km from Pointe-Noire. We strongly recommend that you wear good shoes so that you can hike easily and not run out of breath too quickly.
7. What to do in the Congo A safari in the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park
The Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park is a veritable natural sanctuary. Covering more than 423,000 hectares of unspoilt forest in the far north of the Congo, it boasts exceptional flora, as well as numerous animal species. These include the lowland gorilla, chimpanzee, buffalo, elephant, sitatunga and Congo otter. Reaching the park entrance is quite an adventure, as you have to take a domestic flight from Brazzaville airport to Ouesso aerodrome, then sail for 4 to 5 hours on the Sangha river.
8. Getting to the Nguela hole
Located around thirty kilometres from Kinkala, the trou de Nguela, or God's hole, is a vast depression in the shape of a volcano crater. Surrounded by cliffs and lush vegetation, the place is both spectacular and rejuvenating. For a moment, we almost thought we were in the Auvergne! Whether it's volcanism or a meteorite, there's a lot of talk about the origin of this unusual formation in the Congo.
9. Hiking in the Conkouati-Douli National Park
Conkouati-Douli National Park is located in the south-west of the Republic of Congo, on the border with Gabon. What makes it special is its wide range of natural habitats, with lush primary forest, savannah landscapes and mangrove-fringed lagoons. Where the rainforest meets the ocean, you'll come across a diverse range of wildlife, with elephants, leopards, forest buffalo and chimpanzees on the land side, hippos, manatees and leatherback turtles on the mangrove side, and dolphins and humpback whales on the sea side.
10. Discover the Lésio-Louna Léfini nature reserve, another must-see in Congo
We can definitely say that we were not disappointed when it came to nature during our trip to the Congo. The journey to the Lésio-Louna Léfini nature reserve was an adventure that took us through the equatorial forest, then over valleys and hills surrounded by a savannah where yellow predominates. The reserve, dedicated to the protection of gorillas, is home to many other animal species, includinghippos, buffalo, sitatungas, Brazza cercopithecines, crocodiles and Congo grey parrots. We recommend that you bring binoculars and a camera.
11. Sailing on the Congo River
The Congo River rises in the highlands on the edge of southern Africa and eventually flows into the Atlantic Ocean. On a trip to the Republic of Congo, you can't miss a boat trip on what remains one of the largest rivers in the world, the natural border between the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. The river trip is an opportunity toobserve animal and plant species, and to pass through towns and magnificent small islands.
Book a cruise on the Congo River from Brazzaville to the cliffs of Manguenguengue here. You'll visit the village on the island of Mbamou, sample some local fish and get to know the majestic Congo River.
12. Explore the Chaillu massif
The Chaillu massif straddles the border between Gabon and the south of the Republic of Congo. While the main part is in Gabon, its Congolese extension covers a mountainous area around Bambama and Mouyondzi. The Congolese part of the massif is an interesting area to explore for lovers of hiking and deep forests, with the opportunity to observe numerous animal and plant species.
13. Take in the sights in the Dimonika nature reserve
The Dimonika Nature Reserve is nestled in the Mayombe massif in the south-west of the Republic of Congo. Listed by UNESCO, it is home to a dense tropical forest dotted with waterfalls and misty valleys. It is a sanctuary of biodiversity, home to gorillas, chimpanzees and other rare birds. The site also offers a fascinating insight into the local culture, with villages nestling in the greenery and the practice of ancestral traditions.
