Things to do in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Embark on a guided trek through dense rainforest to encounter one of the world's last remaining mountain gorilla families in their natural habitat.

Hike up the steep slopes of an active volcano to spend the night on the crater rim, gazing into the churning red glow of the permanent lava lake far below.

Trek through montane forest to observe the critically endangered Grauer's gorilla, the largest gorilla subspecies, in the misty highlands west of Bukavu.

Journey deep into one of Africa's most mysterious rainforests to spot the elusive okapi, forest elephants and chimpanzees.

Board a traditional wooden canoe and glide across the powerful brown waters of the Congo River, passing fishermen's villages and watching the city skyline recede.

Hike through lush vegetation to a dramatic curtain of water where the Inkisi River plunges over a 65-metre drop.

Sail across one of Africa's Great Rift lakes, with mist-shrouded volcanic peaks on one side and terraced hills on the other.

Discover the country's rich cultural heritage through exhibits of masks, royal statues, musical instruments and pre-colonial artefacts housed in a modern building set in a former royal park.

Immerse yourself in the city's legendary nightlife at this iconic open-air club where rumba, soukous and ndombolo bands keep the crowd moving until dawn.

Sit down at a plastic table in a bustling open-air eatery to taste the national dish: tender chicken braised in a rich sauce of palm butter, served with fufu and fiery pili-pili.

Focus on the extraordinary textiles, masks and royal regalia of the Kuba people, known for intricate geometric embroidery and carved wooden cups.

Travel to the Kwilu province heartland to see a village performance where masked dancers animate spirits with acrobatic movements and hypnotic drumming.

Watch as the entire Congo River funnels through seven cataracts, creating a roaring spectacle.

See the world's largest waterfall by volume, a 15-kilometre stretch of monstrous rapids where the Congo River squeezes through a narrow gorge.

Lose yourself in the capital's sprawling main market, a sensory overload of fabrics, spices, bushmeat, hardware and Congolese pop music.

Escape to a tiny volcanic island where luxury tented camps offer tranquillity, kayaking and stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes.

Visit this forested haven south of Kinshasa where rescued bonobos, our closest great ape relatives, live in semi-wild families.

Discover the faded colonial architecture and the baobab trees that once shaded slave caravans.

Hike to a vast complex of sandstone caves and overhangs covered with geometric engravings and red paintings, believed to be thousands of years old.

Board a boat at the Yacht Club Kinshasa or with a local operator to drift along the river as the tropical sun sinks behind the jungle horizon.

Explore the neighbourhood that has nurtured countless Congolese stars, where rehearsal studios, bars and vibrant street life pulse with the rhythms of rumba.

Sample this hearty cassava leaf stew pounded with palm oil, peanuts and smoked fish, a staple of southern Congolese cuisine.

Wander through a once-thriving railway town to see crumbling Art Deco buildings and overgrown gardens from the Belgian colonial era, evoking a lost world.

Feel the pulse of a frontier city clinging to the edge of a lava plain by hailing a motorcycle taxi.

Take a boat safari on this vast, remote lake deep in the rainforested lowlands, where rare hippos laze in the shallows and elephant trails lead down to the water.