Five Facts About the Congo Basin

Hidden deep in Central Africa lies a world so wild, ancient, and essential to life on Earth that it’s often called the lungs of Africa – the Congo Basin. Stretching across six countries, this vast rainforest is second only to the Amazon in size and home to countless species found nowhere else on Earth.

For travellers seeking raw, transformative encounters with nature, the Congo Basin is not just a destination – it’s an awakening.

If you’ve ever wondered where the Congo Basin is, or what makes it one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems, here are five remarkable facts that reveal its wonder – and why it deserves a place on your travel bucket list.

Spanning over 3.6 million square kilometres, the Congo Basin covers parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea, making it the second-largest rainforest in the world.

1. The Congo Basin is the Lungs and Beating Heart of Africa

Looking at a Congo Basin map, it’s easy to see why this region is so crucial – its dense rainforests absorb billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide, helping to regulate the planet’s climate. Hence, why it is commonly referred to as the “Lungs of Africa”.

These ancient forests are not merely a collection of trees; they are a vital carbon sink, absorbing billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This incredible capacity for carbon sequestration is instrumental in regulating the planet’s climate, directly mitigating the impacts of climate change and maintaining a stable global environment.

But it’s more than just a carbon sink. The Congo Basin’s wetlands, rivers, and forests support over 75 million people who depend on its resources for food, water, and culture. Many local communities have lived here for millennia, practising sustainable traditions that help preserve its delicate balance.

2. Congo Basin Wildlife – A Biodiversity Wonder

The Congo Basin rainforest shelters one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth – a living museum of evolution. Here, mist hovers over the canopies of ancient trees, where forest elephants, okapi, and bongo antelopes roam.

It’s also one of the few places where you can encounter all three African great ape species. This includes three subspecies of gorillas (western lowland, eastern lowland, and mountain), chimpanzees, and bonobos.

Gorilla trekking in the Congo Basin is a particularly awe-inspiring experience. Watching a silverback gently shepherd his family through the forest is a humbling moment that stays with you long after the rainforest is no longer around you.

Apart from gorillas, the Congo Basin is also home to a myriad of other unique and rare species, including the okapi (the only living relative of the giraffe), the lesula monkey (one of the newest monkey species, having been discovered in 2007), and the Congo peafowl (the only true peafowl species found outside of Asia).

When it comes to predators, the Congo Basin is home to several species, including leopards and African golden cats. In the Congo River, you’ll find crocodiles and the goliath tigerfish – an apex fish predator.

The dense jungles are also home to several reptilian predators such as black mambas, bush vipers, and rock pythons, so be sure to tuck your pants into your socks when trekking!

3. It’s One of the Wildest Places You Can Go

If you’re drawn to journeys that feel untamed and pure, the Congo Basin delivers in every sense. Much of the region remains largely unexplored, accessible only by riverboat, bush plane, or rugged 4×4 tracks.

Travellers can follow the Congo River, the world’s deepest river, on immersive expeditions that reveal remote fishing villages, dense jungles, and wildlife-rich swamps.

If you’re keen on starting an adventure akin to explorers in the days of old, or if you’re just looking for a way to live out your Indiana Jones dreams, this is the adventure for you – an opportunity to step off the grid and into the wild.

Imagine trekking through dense, emerald-green rainforests, where sunlight dapples through the canopy, illuminating a vibrant ecosystem teeming with life. Picture yourself navigating ancient rivers, their waters mirroring the towering trees and vast, open skies above, as you follow in the footsteps of explorers of old.

4. The Basin Is Vital for the Planet’s Future

Beyond its beauty, the Congo Basin plays a crucial role in fighting climate change. Its rainforests store more than 30 billion tonnes of carbon, and its peatlands – the largest tropical peatlands on Earth – hold an additional 30 billion tonnes.

This makes the Congo Basin the world’s largest and most vital rainforest carbon sink, meaning it absorbs and stores more carbon dioxide than it releases, which is crucial for mitigating climate change, playing a pivotal role in regulating global temperatures and atmospheric composition. The health and integrity of the Congo Basin are therefore not just regional concerns but profoundly impact the delicate balance of the planet’s climate systems.

Protecting the Congo Basin is therefore not just a local issue; it’s a global responsibility. Every traveller who supports sustainable tourism here contributes to conservation initiatives that protect endangered species, empower local communities, and preserve one of Earth’s last intact wildernesses.

5. Powered by Africa’s Deepest River

The Congo Basin is drained by the Congo River, which is Africa’s second-longest river (after the Nile) and the deepest in the world, reaching an astonishing maximum depth of 220 metres (720 feet).

This incredible depth is not constant but occurs in the Lower Congo section (near its mouth). It’s caused by the river’s exceptionally high flow rate and a steep drop in elevation over a short distance, which gives it immense erosive power to carve a deep, submarine canyon through the bedrock, both on land and extending far out onto the Atlantic sea floor.

The Congo River’s course is also famously characterised by a massive, counter-clockwise arc. Starting high in the East African Rift, it flows north, then west through the dense rainforest, and then bends south and southwest, crossing the equator once as it goes north and again as it turns south.

Protecting Paradise

The Congo Basin is more than a destination – it’s a living, breathing symbol of resilience. By visiting responsibly, you help ensure that this ancient forest continues to thrive for generations to come.

Embark On Your Own Congo Expedition

Our curated Congo tours, such as the Primates, Plains & Rainforest and Odyssey into the Congo safaris, are journeys designed to connect you to the planet’s most profound landscapes.

These aren’t standard safaris; they are rare, intimate explorations deep within Odzala-Kokoua National Park. Imagine up to three exclusive treks for unforgettable encounters with habituated western lowland gorillas, exploring flooded forests by kayak, and traversing unique baï and swampy waterways. This is your chance for Congo Basin travel in one of Africa’s last true wildernesses.

Explore our Congo tours now, view the full itineraries, and speak to our safari experts to start planning your Congo safari.