10 Wildest, Thickest Forests in DR Congo That Even GPS Can’t Crack

The Democratic Republic of Congo isn’t just big it’s junglicious. Home to the second-largest rainforest on Earth, DRC’s forests are as impenetrable as they are fascinating. If you’ve ever wanted to channel your inner explorer (machete not included), here are 10 of the thickest, densest jungles in the DRC that will raise your curiosity and get your adrenaline pumping. From legendary national parks to remote reserves where even GPS might throw up its hands, these are the green labyrinths that top our list.

1. Virunga National Park

Virunga isn’t just any forest it’s the OG of African parks. Established in 1925, it’s Africa’s oldest national park and celebrated a century of conservation in 2025. Nestled in DRC’s far east, Virunga’s dense jungles cloak volcanic slopes and hide an astonishing array of wildlife (around 25% of the world’s mountain gorillas live here, alongside sneaky forest elephants and chimpanzees).

The foliage is so thick that the gorillas sometimes appear and vanish like hairy phantoms. It’s a biodiverse treasure chest that feels downright prehistoric the kind of place where you half-expect King Kong to peek out. (In fact, locals around here have plenty of legends, and it only adds to Virunga’s mystique see it on Instagram.)

Price: 

Around $400 (~880,000 CDF) for a gorilla trekking permit in Virunga (a bargain compared to neighboring countries). There’s also a modest park entry fee, but getting to this remote park will likely cost you more in transport.

Local tip: 

Go with official guides/rangers not just for safety (Virunga’s had its dramas) but for their knack at finding wildlife. After a sweaty trek through the vines, celebrate with a cold Primus beer back in Goma while swapping adventure stories with locals and rangers who’ve seen it all.

2. Salonga National Park

Deep in the Congo Basin lies Salonga, a roadless expanse so vast it’s like the green ocean of Africa. Spanning a whopping 36,000 km² (roughly the size of Belgium!), this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest tropical rainforest park in Africa. Translation: bring a compass, because the canopy goes on forever. Salonga’s swamps and jungles are thicker than cassava paste, home to shy bonobos, rare Congo peafowls, forest elephants, and quirky critters found nowhere else (hello, endemic Salonga monkey!).

French photographer thomas.nicolon captured this hauntingly serene shot deep in Salonga National Park the largest tropical rainforest in Africa. He spent 17 days on patrol with rangers, navigating its flooded arteries and thick green corridors. “Travelling at the heart of it is an adventure like no other,” he wrote, and honestly, the image says it all.

It’s also notoriously impenetrable  both in vegetation and logistics. With virtually no roads, intrepid travelers and researchers arrive by boat, chugging up murky rivers where crocodiles and hippos set the welcome committee. If any place can make you feel like a 19th-century explorer, it’s Salonga’s misty, steamy wilds a true heart-of-darkness adventure (Conrad would be proud).

Price: 

No simple entry ticket here there’s no regular tourist infrastructure. You’ll likely need to arrange a special expedition which can start around $1,500 (~3,300,000 CDF) per person for a multi-day guided trek (including permits, guides, pirogue hire, and a lot of patience). Local tip: Plan well in advance with a reputable tour operator or through ICCN (parks authority) if you dream of Salonga. The journey often involves chartering a small plane or a very long boat ride up the Luilaka River. Bring waterproof everything, extra fuel, and brush up on your Lingala phrases you’ll be far from cell signal, relying on local river communities for updates on water levels and trail conditions.

3. Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Ituri Forest)

Welcome to the Ituri Forest a place so thick with life that even the unicorns are real. (Well, sort of the okapi, an adorable zebra-giraffe relative, is often nicknamed the “African unicorn.”) The Okapi Wildlife Reserve protects about 14,000 km² of this dense Ituri jungle in northeastern DRC.

Its towering trees create a shady green cathedral where elusive okapis nibble leaves in the gloom and Mbuti pygmy hunter-gatherers track duikers by ancient forest lore. Visiting here feels like stepping into a National Geographic documentary you might hear drums from a distant pygmy camp or stumble on a waterfall hidden in the foliage. The forest is practically humming with biodiversity: from colorful butterflies and birds to primates crashing through the canopy. It’s impenetrable alright sunlight struggles to reach the ground, and so will your GPS. But the enchantment of Ituri is worth every sweat bead.

Price: $50/day (~110,000 CDF) is the ballpark for hiring local guides and community accommodation in the reserve. Interestingly, there’s currently no formal entry fee the Okapi reserve welcomes researchers and the odd adventurer by arrangement.

Local tip: Base yourself at the Epulu Station, the reserve headquarters. There you can see semi-habituated okapi up close (they have a breeding center) and hire knowledgeable Efe or Mbuti trackers for a true forest trek. Respect the local customs: this is pygmy homeland, so a small gift of salt or tobacco can go a long way in friendship when visiting villages. And do pack long socks driver ants here don’t mess around!

4. Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Kahuzi-Biega might sound like a hip new dance, but it’s actually a UNESCO-listed jungle paradise in South Kivu. Covering some 6,000 km² of both misty mountains and lowland rainforest, this park has range: from swampy jungles at 700m elevation to bamboo forests on extinct volcanoes over 3,000m high.

Straight from the lush depths of Kahuzi-Biega National Park, this heart-melting hug between ranger Shannon and a lowland gorilla is more than a viral moment it’s a powerful reminder of Congo’s frontline conservation heroes. As shared by @wildography_and_safaris, this bond represents years of trust, care, and community-led protection of endangered great apes. If you needed a reason to care about gorilla conservation this is it.

The result? A symphony of ecosystems so dense and diverse that new species are still being catalogued.

Kahuzi-Biega is most famous for its eastern lowland gorillas  imagine gorilla trekking through tangles of vines, with Grauer’s gorillas (the largest gorilla subspecies) munching quietly just a few feet away. Fewer tourists come here than Virunga, meaning you often have the gorillas all to yourself (no crowds, just you and a 200-kg vegetarian giant eye-to-eye).

Beyond gorillas, keep an eye out for troops of Angolan colobus, forest elephants hiding in ravines, and even the odd okapi in the lower sections. The park’s namesakes, Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biéga, loom over the canopy dormant volcanoes blanketed in green. If you crave intense jungle with a side of volcano, this is your spot see a ranger’s close encounter on Instagram.

Price: 

$400 (~880,000 CDF) for a lowland gorilla trekking permit (yes, same price as Virunga’s mountain gorillas, and still far cheaper than Rwanda!). General park entry is about $35 for foreigners (≈77,000 CDF), but that’s usually wrapped into tour fees.

Local tip: 

Start your trek from Tshivanga Visitor Center near Bukavu the rangers there know their gorillas by name. After conquering the mud and greenery, treat yourself to fried tilapia and kwembe (local stew) at a Bukavu eatery. Also, bring gardening gloves for the hike seriously. The stinging nettles in that rainforest have no chill, and your hands will thank you when you’re pushing aside prickly undergrowth in pursuit of gorillas.

5. Maiko National Park

If ever a forest screamed “uncharted”, it’s Maiko. Tucked in a remote region straddling North Kivu, Orientale, and Maniema provinces, Maiko covers about 10,885 km² of pure, uncut jungle. No roads penetrate its heart in fact, parts of Maiko are so isolated that even Congolese park authorities rarely reach them. This isolation was a double-edged sword: it protected wildlife (Maiko harbors Grauer’s gorillas, okapis, Congo peafowl and more, but it also attracted troublemakers.

Burnt ivory, busted traps, and boots on the red dirt this image from @rfe1news85 captures the gritty frontline of Maiko National Park’s anti-poaching battle. Rangers and community enforcers recently torched confiscated contraband in a public show of zero tolerance. It's not just symbolic it's proof that DRC’s most remote jungles are getting real results on the ground, one fire at a time.

Notoriously, Simba rebels hid out here after the 1960s rebellion meaning the park has literally never been easy to access or tame. Don’t let that scare you off; think of it as added mystique. The forest itself is a lush tangle of old-growth trees, thick underbrush, and endless rain (bring an ark, just in case).

Rangers and researchers who venture in speak of “jungle as far as the eye can see”  an emerald world where sightings of okapi tracks or a shy chimp feel like discovering a unicorn. Maiko is the kind of place you visit to earn serious explorer cred (and maybe a few leech bites to show off back home) see a ranger’s rare peek from deep inside on Instagram.

Price:

 There’s no official entry fee (0 CDF) for Maiko the challenge is getting there and staying alive, frankly. Costs will come from securing permits, hiring armed guides, and transport (think: chartering a bush plane or days of overland slog). An expedition can easily run several thousand USD in logistics, even if the park itself isn’t charging a dime.

Local tip: 

Coordinate with ICCN and perhaps piggyback on a scientific or conservation mission if possible safety in numbers is key in Maiko’s territory. Any trip here is hardcore. You’ll need to be self-sufficient: carry satellite communication, first aid, and plenty of supplies. And a pro tip from those who’ve done it: waterproof your gear in double layers; everything will get wet. When the nearest village is days away, a dry pair of socks can feel like luxury.

6. Itombwe Nature Reserve

The name Itombwe sends a shiver down the spine of even seasoned conservationists partly out of awe, partly because it’s known as one of DRC’s wildest frontiers. This high-altitude reserve (around 6,000 km² of forested mountains) lies in South Kivu. It’s basically a giant slice of the Albertine Rift rainforest draped over craggy hills and hidden valleys.

Impenetrable? You bet. Some slopes are so steep and overgrown that even gorillas probably get short of breath.

Speaking of which, Itombwe is a last stronghold for Grauer’s gorillas and a ton of other endemics from spectacular birds (Regal sunbird, anyone?) to frogs and chameleons found only here. Just 55 brave rangers patrol this vast area, facing off against poachers and armed militias in the depths of the jungle. Translation: this forest doesn’t give up its secrets easily. Adventurous birdwatchers and biologists love Itombwe because new species pop up here and there (even an owl thought extinct was rediscovered).

For the truly intrepid traveler, visiting Itombwe is like stepping into a legend where nature reigns supreme and humans are mere guests.

(The proof is in the pics conservation groups posted footage of thriving gorilla families in Itombwe’s foggy forests that would melt anyone’s heart see it on Instagram.)

Price: 

No fixed fee to enter Itombwe (it’s not a traditional national park with a gate). However, you must obtain permission from both ICCN and local community authorities. Expect to hire local guides/porters and possibly security; costs can be a few hundred dollars for a multi-day trek, depending on how far you go and how many people you need.

Local tip: 

Start from the town of Mwenga or Minembwe  these are common jumping-off points where you can find community guides who know the area. Be prepared to camp rough: there are no lodges, so it’s tents under the giant tree ferns. Also, Itombwe nights get surprisingly chilly due to elevation. Pack a warm layer nothing like shivering at 2,500m in a rainforest to teach you humility!

7. Lomami National Park

Encompassing about 8,874 km² of the central Congo Basin, Lomami is a pristine realm of primary rainforest cut through by ribbons of rivers. Think gargantuan trees, swinging vines, and the distant hoot of bonobos echoing at dawn. In fact, Lomami was created because scientists kept finding amazing things there like the discovery of the Lesula monkey, a new species with a human-like stare.

This place is biodiversity on steroids. Bonobos (our peaceful, matriarchal great-ape cousins) thrive here alongside okapis, forest elephants, Congo peacocks and more. Part of Lomami’s charm is its inaccessibility; until recently, it was known simply as the TL2 (for Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba) landscape a vast blank spot on the map except to local communities. For adventurous visitors, a trip to Lomami is an expedition into one of Earth’s last Edens.

You might boat down the Lomami River, dodge hippos, then trek inland following elephant trails to a research camp. Few have ever set foot here, which means maximum bragging rights for you see a peek of its untouched jungles on Instagram.

Price: 

$0 entry officially (no established tourist fees yet), but realistically you’re looking at serious expedition costs. Chartering a small plane from Kinshasa or Kisangani to the park vicinity can be $3,000+ alone. If you coordinate with a conservation NGO or tour outfit, a several-week Lomami trek might run in the thousands of dollars per person (covering guides, gear, and transport).

Local tip: 

Reach out to organizations like Lukuru Foundation (key in establishing the park) for guidance they sometimes assist researchers or eco-tourists in visiting. Aim for the dry season (June–July) when river levels are manageable and trails slightly less swampy.

And consider bringing token gifts for villages (salt, soap); deep in the Lomami, goodwill with locals is as important as a good GPS. Plus, you might make friends who’ll show you the secret spots where wildlife abounds

8. Bili-Uere Hunting Reserve

Far in DRC’s north, bordering South Sudan and CAR, sprawls the Bili-Uere Reserve one of the largest protected areas you’ve never heard of. Covering ~32,748 km² (bigger than Massachusetts!), this reserve is a mix of dense forest and savanna, dotted with rivers and marshes. Bili-Uere is so out-of-the-way that it’s practically a blank slate on tourist maps which is crazy considering the legends it holds.

In the far reaches of Bili-Uélé, where roads vanish into jungle, even a bridge becomes a lifeline. As shared by @africanwildlifefoundation, this newly rebuilt 15-meter crossing isn't just stone and sweat it’s a symbol of resilience. After years of broken paths and risky treks, eco-guards and locals finally have a safer route across, connecting conservation outposts and communities once cut off by collapsed crossings.

Here be “Bili apes”, a population of chimpanzees once rumored to be giant, lion-hunting chimps. While the lion-killer lore was exaggerated, researchers did find unusually large chimps that occasionally nest on the ground, stoking the local legend. Besides our primate friends, Bili-Uere harbors forest elephants, leopards, bongos, and maybe even the odd Sudanese species wandering over (giant forest hogs, anyone?).

The forest parts of the reserve are thick and untouched so much so that during surveys, scientists kept uncovering new camera-trap surprises as recently as 2025 (ever seen a golden cat stalk through a glade at midnight? They have!).

This place is the definition of “wild and free”. Don’t expect signage or trails expect adventure with a capital A. (It’s not on many Instagrams yet, but conservation NGOs like AWF have shared rare glimpses of Bili’s wildlife on Instagram to prove it’s teeming with life.)

Price: 

No entry fee and no tourism infrastructure the jungle itself is free, getting there is the pricey part. Realistically, an expedition will require permits from provincial authorities and hiring local scouts. You might arrange a trip from Bili or Buta towns; costs could include vehicle hire, fuel, food for a small convoy easily a few thousand USD for a weeks-long foray, even though nobody’s charging you to enter the trees.

Local tip: Logistics, logistics, logistics. This reserve is huge and undeveloped, so plan a route carefully. The Uele River running through it is navigable in stretches consider a dugout canoe journey to cover ground (and enjoy the rainforest from the water). Also, partner with an NGO or local eco-guard unit if you can; they know the terrain and the safest areas.

Finally, brush up on French or even Lingala English speakers are rarer than okapis in these parts. Your ability to haggle for that second-hand Land Cruiser in Niangara might make or break the trip!

9. Sankuru Nature Reserve

Sankuru is a colossus of a forest reserve smack in DRC’s central region, and it’s often called the “bonobo peace forest.” Why? Because at ~30,570 km², Sankuru is the world’s largest continuous protected area for great apes namely the lovable bonobos.

These gentle primates (our DNA cousins) live in female-led groups and famously “make love, not war” and they have a huge safe home in Sankuru’s jungles. The reserve itself, established in 2007, is a community-managed marvel: local people helped create it, and it’s a model for conservation helping both wildlife and villagers.

In the heart of Sankuru, conservationists aren’t just protecting forests they’re dismantling illegal wildlife trade networks piece by piece. This powerful clip from @jackprimatesanctuary features Mr. Héritier MPO, who’s spearheading anti-trafficking efforts to combat the rampant trade in pangolin scales. His message is raw, urgent, and deeply rooted in local resolve: “We are fighting against the pangolin trade here in the DR Congo.”

The forest here is classic Congo Basin: towering afzelia trees, a rich understorey, and swamps that never seem to dry. Wildlife surveys show not just thousands of bonobos, but also okapis (surprise they found okapi here outside their known ranget), elephants, and myriad monkeys. For a forest so large, almost no outsiders venture inside it’s truly off the tourist trail.

Price: 

No standard fees for Sankuru it’s not a national park with ticket booths. Any trip will involve community arrangements. You’ll likely need to pay village guides and possibly a community fund or chief’s fee (budget maybe $100+ (~220,000 CDF) for local permissions and guidance for a short stay). Getting to Sankuru (usually via Lodja or Kole towns by bush plane, then motorcycle or boat) will be the big expense.

Local tip: 

Touch base with the Bonobo Conservation Initiative (BCI) or similar groups active in Sankuru. They can help connect you with trackers who know bonobo troop territories.

Be ready to trek long distances bonobos move daily and you might play hide-and-seek in the rainforest before you catch a blissful glimpse of them lounging high in a tree. And if a local invites you to taste Liboke (fish steamed in forest leaves) or palm wine, say yes after days of bland rations, Sankuru’s local cuisine is a godsend.

10. Ngiri-Tumba-Maindombe (Congo Swamp Forest)

Closing out our list is a forest of a different flavor a swamp forest so vast it’s sometimes called “The Green Abyss.” Ngiri-Tumba-Maindombe is actually a Ramsar-designated wetland complex covering about 65,696 km² in western DRC. Imagine endless marshy forests, networks of dark rivers, and lagoons where the trees themselves seem to float.

This is the largest wetland of international importance in the world, and it’s as thick with flora as it is with water. Traveling here means gliding in a dugout canoe under arching mangroves and raffia palms, with monkeys leaping tree to tree above you and kingfishers darting like blue bullets. In the drier patches, swamp forest elephants (yes, a bit smaller and hairier than their savannah cousins) and sitatunga antelope tiptoe through the mud.

The region also holds Lake Tumba and Lake Mai-Ndombe, connected by a labyrinth of channels teeming with fish. It’s impenetrable in the literal sense without a boat, good luck. Few adventurers tackle this quagmire, but those who do rave about its otherworldly beauty and the hospitality of riverine communities (who might invite you to try smoked fish or fufu on a banana leaf by the fireside).

Bring high boots, bring mosquito repellent by the gallon, and bring your sense of wonder even NASA satellites struggle to see through this swampy green maze, but it’s waiting for you. (Want a glimpse? Check out WWF’s post on how vital these Congo wetlands are the drone shot will blow your mind see it on Instagram.)

Price: 

No formal fee; the swamp itself won’t charge you, but local chiefs might request a token for granting access to community-managed areas (think on the order of $20 here, $10 there  say $30 total (~66,000 CDF) spread across villages). You’ll also be hiring a canoe and crew negotiate a daily rate (perhaps $15-20/day plus food for the boatman).

Local tip:

The town of Makanza or Mbandaka is a good launching point to find pirogues and guides for the Ngiri-Tumba area. Travel light and waterproof everything (again!). Keep an eye out for the African darter birds drying their wings on snags locals say they’re the swamp’s weather forecasters.

If they all take flight suddenly, duck under a tree: rain’s coming hard. Also, when a local fisherman says a channel is “just there,” it could mean 5 hours more of paddling distances are deceiving in the jungle maze, so budget extra time for every journey. Embrace the slow pace and you’ll discover a hidden watery paradise.

DRC’s thick forests are not your average walk in the park they’re challenging, yes, but overwhelmingly rewarding for those bold enough. Whether you’re eye-to-eye with a gorilla in a misty clearing or drifting on a flooded forest river listening to unseen creatures, these places remind us the world still has wild, secret corners. Respect the local people who call these forests home, tread lightly (both culturally and ecologically), and you’ll be welcomed into experiences few others on Earth have had. So go forth, intrepid traveler: grab those binoculars, double-knot your boots, and dive into Congo’s green heart. Just don’t forget to tell us your stories when you emerge if you manage to find your way out!