Nestled on a side of the Congo River, Congo is legally called the Republic of Congo that is full of natural highlights. I am sure there is no one who does not like to spend holidays amidst waterfalls, coastal areas with lagoons, virgin forests, soaring mountains, and varied wildlife. Well, did you know that this country is popular for its chimpanzees and flatland gorillas. Africa’s unique wildlife resides here in the dense rainforest stretching by the side of the shore of 169 km. And yes, people here are very jolly and frank. So, you will hardly find any disappointing factor here.
A majority of the tourist attractions in Congo are within and around the capital city. Within the capital, you can marvel at the stunning edifices of the Basilique St. Anne, Brazzaville Basilica, Temple Mosque, the Charles de Gaulle mansion, and the National Museum.
If you are in Congo, you just cannot miss to explore its all national parks. All of them are unique and so a visit to each of them is just inevitable. Head to Parc Nationale de Odzala where the animals reside in their own habitats and you can watch and even greet them probably. In this park, a big area is occupied by the virgin forests and is a preserved area for protecting the wildlife, local tribes, and pygmy villages. Here, try to meet the African elephants, chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, and Bongo – the forest antelope.
Do not miss the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a World Heritage Site and among the must to visit tourist attractions in Congo. Scattered over the Ituri forest, you can wonder here at over 1,200 flora and fauna species. Further, you are also rewarded with the picturesque views of the waterfalls due to the Epulu as well as Ituri rivers. One more Heritage park is the Kahuzi-Biega National Park completely adorned with the volcanic mountains of rift valley as well as the Congo basin’s moorland, thick foliage, and lowland gorillas.
Would you like to visit the most ancient park here? It is the Virunga National Park residing here since 1925. It is hub of more than 500 bird groups as well as 150 species of mammals. I could spot the endangered mountain gorilla, chimpanzees, egrets, herons, pangolin, ibisis, ducks, bitterns, darters, skimmers, geese, cormorants, ospreys, shoebills, openbills, warblers, gulls, and weavers.
If you are interested in some mind-blowing panoramas, then the capital’s outer suburbs are just ideal. Poto-Poto is quite interesting where the sceneries are awesome. Further, take the reward of vistas via some adventure through the white-water River Rapids accessible from the capital by driving a distance of 10 km. This is among the most adventurous tourist attractions in Congo. More highlights are the Loufoulakari Falls and the Trou de Dieu.
Looking for beaches? Take yourself to Pointe-Noire that is considered as the perfect holiday site by the locals and tourists alike. There are beaches with not much crowd and pristine waters, just close to the Cote Sauvage’s coast. Evening is the ideal time to enjoy here when people throng the nearby market making the location live and vibrant. Here, the top highlight is the tour of the Diosso Gorges where the gorgeous ancient cliffs welcome you. There is also a historical site where the European as well as African trade resulted in slavery.
If you have enough time in hand, a trip via a cruise is memorable and enjoyable. On the Congo River, catch hold of a cruise boat where you can spend 21 days to complete a voyage of over 1700 km starting right from the Kisangani and ending at the Kinshasa city.
Want to go for a luxurious stay? Then, Le Meridien Brazzaville near the downtown Brazzaville is just the perfect choice. You can book a room in this five-star hotel for $80 per night and that too per person. Eating options are varied – French as well as African cuisines in the restaurant and a Jazz Lunch on Sundays near the swimming pool.
As a tip, do not forget to pack a lot of sunscreen, sunglasses, cotton clothes, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes, camera, and sunglasses.
Best time to visit
May to September for Brazzaville, December to February in case of trip to the north