National park · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Salonga National ParkParc National de Salonga
Enter Salonga National Park if you have a guide and enough time: buy entry ticket (~$10) at the gate, travel from Kinshasa (6‑8 h by road/boat) and hike the short river trail; avoid the rainy season (May‑Oct).
- 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
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
36,000 km² (13,900 sq mi)13,900 sq mi (36,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Jun–Sep
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
- 36,000 km² (13,900 sq mi)13,900 sq mi (36,000 km²)
- About 36,000 km² (3.6 million ha) of contiguous lowland rainforest; boundaries and exact figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kinshasa
Salonga is Africa's largest tropical rainforest reserve: about 36,000 km² of roadless lowland forest in the central Congo Basin, split into two blocks either side of the Salonga River, with no road into it and no tourism infrastructure to speak of. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984 and has been on the in-danger list since 1999 because of poaching and settlement pressure. In 2026 the US and Canada advise against all travel to the DRC, so treat this page as planning background, not a green light: entry is by arrangement with the park authority (ICCN) and a licensed operator, usually by boat from Mbandaka, and the practical answer for most readers is to wait.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1984Listed as a World Heritage site, in danger since 1999.
Size and age
36,000 km² (13,900 sq mi)13,900 sq mi (36,000 km²) · national park since 1970
About 36,000 km² (3.6 million ha) of contiguous lowland rainforest; boundaries and exact figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kinshasa.
Why go
- Africa's largest tropical rainforest preserve with high biodiversity.
- Home to endangered species such as okapi, bonobo and forest elephant.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy season starts
- FebRainy season
- MarRainy season
- AprRainy season
- MayHeavy rains
- JunDrier, easier trails
- JulDrier, wildlife active
- AugDrier, good for wildlife spotting
- SepEnd of dry period
- OctRain returns
- NovRainy season
- DecRainy season
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OkapiAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| BonoboAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Forest elephantAll 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters (Bokoro) | Visitor centre, ticket office, short river trail. | Open with entry ticket. |
| River trail area | Easy walking path along the Salonga River, wildlife viewing points. | Open with entry ticket. |
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 approximate centre of the park; headquarters location used for orientation.
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 (per person) | CDF 10,000–12,000 | person | 2026 estimate, check at gate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any backcountry trek beyond the headquarters area.
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated campsites; permits obtained at headquarters.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kinshasa
Hotels and guesthouses, 6–8 h drive to park gate.
Near the park
Mbandaka
Basic lodgings, closer boat access to park.
Safety
Malaria high
Remote location medium
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
- Headquarters area reachable by vehicle with short walks; trails are unpaved and uneven.
Visiting lightly
- Support community‑run lodges in Kinshasa and Mbandaka.
- Hire local guides and pay park fees.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Salonga National Park?
Entry fee is about 10 000–12 000 CDF per person (≈$5‑6); check at the gate for the current price.
What are the best hikes in Salonga National Park?
The short river walk to the okapi viewpoint (2‑3 h) and guided bonobo wildlife treks are the most accessible.
When is the best time to visit Salonga National Park?
The dry months June to September offer easier trails and better wildlife viewing.
Do I need a guide for any part of Salonga?
A guide is mandatory for any trek beyond the headquarters area and for night walks.
Is camping allowed in Salonga National Park?
Camping is permitted only in designated sites with a permit from the headquarters.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Salonga National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?