National park · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Garamba National ParkParc National de la Garamba
Visit Garamba National Park: fly to Aru, charter to Nagero, then join a guided day drive (US$70/vehicle) or a hike (US$10/day). Avoid June‑December rainy season; entry fee unknown – check.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5,000 km² (1,931 sq mi)1,931 sq mi (5,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1938
Best months
—
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Sort the visa before the flight
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Central Africa ↗Sort the visa before the flight: none of the seven countries reliably issues tourist visas on arrival to Western passports, and e-visas here are tied to named airports.
- Central Africa ↗Carry the original yellow fever vaccination certificate in your hand luggage; health desks at every Central African airport ask for it, and a missing card can mean refusal or a jab at the desk.
- Central Africa ↗Before booking anything in or near the DRC, read the WHO Ebola situation page and your own government's health notice: the 2026 outbreak brought quarantine and boarding rules for people who have been in the DRC.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the DRC authorities or embassy before booking; a visa is usually needed in advance.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Check your government's advice province by province: most governments advise against all travel to the eastern provinces and several other areas, and the US and Canada advise against all travel to the DRC in 2026.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention, and carry the yellow fever vaccination certificate, which is strictly checked at DRC entry.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Photography in public places can lead to detention; do not photograph government buildings, soldiers, police, airports or bridges.
At a glance
- Country
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Area
- 5,000 km² (1,931 sq mi)1,931 sq mi (5,000 km²)
- Approximate; official source does not give exact figure.
- Established
- 1938
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Garamba National Park, one of Africa’s oldest reserves, offers remote savanna wildlife, guided day drives, hikes and optional aerial safaris, but access is limited to dry months and security conditions require careful planning.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1980Listed as World Heritage site.
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1996Re‑inscribed after removal in 1991.
Size and age
5,000 km² (1,931 sq mi)1,931 sq mi (5,000 km²) · national park since 1938
Approximate; official source does not give exact figure.
Why go
- Large herds of African elephants roam the savanna.
- Opportunity to see buffalo, giraffe and Ugandan kob in a remote wilderness.
- Experience an aerial safari for a different wildlife perspective.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanDry, roads passable
- FebDry, good wildlife viewing
- MarDry, early rains start
- AprIncreasing rain, some road issues
- MayRainy season begins, roads may wash out
- JunHeavy rains, access difficult
- JulPeak rainy season
- AugPeak rainy season
- SepRainy, roads often impassable
- OctRainy, limited access
- NovRainy, roads washed out
- DecRainy, access very limited
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African elephantAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| BuffaloAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| GiraffeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Ugandan kobAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kinshasa
Domestic flight to Aru (≈2 h), then charter prop plane to Nagero (≈50 min).
≈3 h total, plus transfers
Open the page →
From Goma
Domestic flight to Aru, then charter to Nagero.
≈2.5 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Nagero gate | Main entry point, visitor office, basic facilities. | Open with permit; limited services. |
| Savanna block | Open‑range area for day drives and wildlife viewing. | Guided vehicles only. |
| Backcountry camp sites | Designated camping areas for guided safaris. | Permit‑required; arranged through park office. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on Nagero gate; other points approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No published fee; verify on arrival |
| Guided day drive | US$70 | vehicle | Standard rate |
| Guided hike | US$10 | person | Per day |
| Aerial safari (Cessna 206) | US$420 | hour | Private charter |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Guided activity permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$70
- US$10
- US$420
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on African Parks – Garamba National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- All wildlife viewing and hikes must be with a licensed park guide.
- Camping
- Only in designated backcountry sites with a permit.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves only.
- Weapons
- Firearms not allowed for visitors.
- Photography
- Drone use requires special permission from park authorities.
Where to stay
Near the park
Garamba Camp
Basic rooms with full board; $120 single, $160 double.
Near the park
Nagero village lodges
Simple guesthouses; arrange through park office.
Safety
Security high
Road conditions medium
Wildlife encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Vehicle access to Nagero gate via charter flight; no road access for private cars.
- Guided day drives are wheelchair‑compatible only with advance arrangement.
Visiting lightly
- Use park‑approved guides and camps to support local conservation.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; carry out all waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Garamba National Park?
There is no published entry fee; visitors pay for guided activities (US$70 per vehicle day‑drive, US$10 per person hike). Confirm any entry charge on arrival.
What are the best hikes in Garamba National Park?
The main guided trek is a full‑day walk through savanna and woodland, arranged through the park office (US$10 per person).
When is the best time to visit Garamba National Park?
Visit in the dry months January–March; June‑December is the rainy season and roads often wash out.
Is an aerial safari safe?
Aerial safaris are operated by licensed charter companies; they follow safety regulations but depend on weather, especially during the rainy season.
Do I need a visa to travel to the DRC?
All foreign visitors need a visa; obtain it before arrival or on entry at Kinshasa airport.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Garamba National Park
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