The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is around 50 kilometers west of Bukavu town in the Kivu region, adjacent to the western side of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. It was created to primarily protect the last remaining population of the Eastern Lowland gorilla or Gorilla beringei graueri. The park is one of the few last refuges of this rare sub-species of Eastern gorilla. The famous Diane Fossey, protégé of the equally famous Dr Louis Leakey, originally did her studies here before moving on to Rwanda.

It is estimated that there are only 600 gorillas remaining throughout the park, earning it a place in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. However, ongoing fighting in the Congo and the resulting looting, poaching, and burning of the forest has decimated around 60% of that population. As a result, the Kahuzi-Biega National Park was also included in the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger.

Despite the apparent dangers, people still continue to visit this place just to experience being in a primary tropical forest and spot the diverse wildlife as well as the last few remaining graueri gorillas. Aside from the gorillas, the park is also home to some antelope and elephants. This vast park area is dominated by the two extinct volcanoes from which it is named after, Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega. In this part of the Kivu region, Mount Kahuzi is the highest peak.

Generally, the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is very volatile as armed conflicts erupt every now and then. However, visits to the park are doable as long as the necessary precautions are taken. Visitors who have gone there report that the situation has improved a bit and tourism is needed in order to support conservation efforts of scientists and park rangers.

At 1,372,625 hectares, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve covers around one-fifth of the Ituri forest in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The reserve was established to protect the high diversity of species, especially those endemic to the Ituri forest. The animal from where it derived its name, the okapi (Okapia johnstoni), is the only living relative of the giraffe. It looks like a stumpy short-necked giraffe and has stripes on its rear legs similar to those of the zebra’s. The reserve is home to around 5,000 okapis. The reserve was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Aside from the okapis, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve is also home to around 4,000 elephants, 2,000 leopards, 300 species of birds, thirteen species of primates including chimpanzees, three species of crocodile, and other animals of the rainforest like the forest buffalo, water chevrotain, forest elephants, insects, and antelope. It is in fact also one of the important sites in mainland Africa dedicated to bird conservation. Its human inhabitants belong to the Mbuti and Efe pygmies who are considered to be one the few remaining “forest people” of the world.

Other than witnessing the culture of these people and seeing the wild animals in their natural habitat, visitors to the Okapi Wildlife Reserve can expect to witness dramatic sceneries such as the Nepoko River in the north and the Ituri River in the south. There are also waterfalls and the majestic Mbiya Mountain situated at the edge of Epulu, overlooking the village. As the reserve is in the middle of the forest, it is a relatively calm and safe place where one can breathe in the fresh air and commune with nature. Camping and jungle activities may be arranged with the reserve’s administrators. As this is still part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, one should still consider taking the necessary safety precautions when traveling.

Covering an area of 790,000 square hectares, diverse habitats such as swamps, steppes, snowfields, lava plains, grasslands, and savannahs can be found here. Africa’s two most active volcanoes are also part of the Virunga National Park. Inhabitants include mountain gorillas and hippopotamuses, as well as birds that fly in from Siberia during the winter months. Other animals that are sighted in the park are elephants, chimpanzees, giraffes, and buffaloes. In 1979, due to the decline in population of its main residents, the gorillas and hippos, UNESCO has classified Virunga National Park as a World Heritage Site. Conservation work to protect the remaining populations of these critically endangered species has since been done and is still ongoing despite the current difficulties brought about by the civil war.

For travelers who wish to make a safari adventure in the Virunga National Park, caution is advised. Invasions of park land and poaching are rampant, as well as military occupations seeking a safe sanctuary when under attack. In fact, several park rangers have been killed in the line of duty. Despite this, remaining park rangers and park authorities continue with their work up to the present. People who wish to help with the park’s conservation efforts are actually encouraged to donate rather than visit. For only $25 monthly, a part of the park will be under one’s name and protection. This amount will help the rangers in keeping that part free from snares set by poachers. Currently, there are 62 areas in the park being protected by donations.

Established in 1938, Garamba National Park is located in the Congo Democratic Republic in Africa. It is one of the continent’s oldest national parks and was primarily formed in order to protect the dwindling population of the northern white rhinoceros. The lands included in the Garamba National Park were the home of the world’s last known wild population of these rhinos. In the 1960s, the park has also embarked on an elephant domestication program wherein these naturally wild beasts were trained to be tourist-friendly and rideable. Garamba National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Military conflict in the surrounding areas and active hunting activity done by poachers has led to the park’s inclusion into UNESCO’s World Heritage Site Danger List as well.

The park is composed of savannahs, woodlands, grasslands, gallery forests, rivers, and swamps. Four large mammals, the elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and the white rhinoceros, call this land their home. People visit Garamba National Park to witness these animals in their natural habitat, most especially the white rhinoceros. It is much larger than the black rhinoceros but it is harmless and rarer to find, as it is closer to extinction. The UNESCO site reports that there are thirty remaining white rhinoceros but the common consensus is that the animal is feared to be extinct.

Traveling around the Congo Democratic Republic is difficult as safe and reliable public transportation is virtually non-existent. Road conditions are very poor and are prone to turn into rivers during the rainy season. However, there are tour operators that offer their services to brave travelers who wish to embark on an extreme African safari adventure. Accommodations and some semblance of security are provided but nothing is guaranteed as armed conflict is still ongoing. In fact, in January 2009 the park was under attack from Ugandan rebels who left eight people dead, including two guards and two wives of park rangers.