Salonga National Park
Facts and practical information
Salonga National Park is a national park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo located in the Congo River basin. It is Africa's largest tropical rainforest reserve covering about 36,000 km2 or 3,600,000 hectares. It extends into the provinces of Mai Ndombe, Equateur, Kasaï and Sankuru. In 1984, the national park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its protection of a large swath of relatively intact rainforest and its important habitat for many rare species. In 1999, the site has been listed as endangered due to poaching and housing construction. Following the improvement in its state of conservation, the site was removed from the endangered list in 2021. ()
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Best Ways to Experience the Park
Wildlife
AnimalsSee what popular animal species you can meet in this location.
Common Hippopotamus
The hippopotamus, or hippo, is a fascinating and hefty mammal native to Africa, renowned for its massive barrel-shaped body, wide-opening mouth, and almost hairless skin. These semiaquatic giants can weigh around 1,500 kg on average.
Mammals
Bonobo
Bonobos, often known as pygmy chimpanzees, are endangered great apes that inhabit the Congo Basin in Central Africa. Although they share the genus *Pan* with common chimpanzees, bonobos are a distinct species. Characterized by their long legs and pink lips, these apes...
Mammals
Bongo
The bongo is a captivating forest-dwelling herbivore easily recognized by its striking reddish-brown coat, distinctive black and white markings, and long, slightly spiraled horns. These animals are primarily nocturnal and have a complex social structure.
Mammals
Okapi
The okapi, often referred to as the forest giraffe, Congolese giraffe, or zebra giraffe, is a captivating mammal indigenous to the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Despite its zebra-like stripes, the okapi is more closely...
Mammals
Leopard
Leopards, belonging to the Felidae family and the genus Panthera, are among the five big cats in this group. They inhabit sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and East Asia.
Mammals
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