The Democratic Republic of Congo

Previously called Zaire, The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second-largest country in Africa. Whilst it is relatively new to tourism, Congo is an incredible ecotourism spot -  the jungles hide half the world's lowland gorillas. There are plenty of natural wonders to discover, such as the stunning islands of Lake Kivu, and its lava-lake topped volcanoes. Virunga National Park is home to  mountain gorillas, chimps and Nyiragongo Volcano -  one of the world’s most active, with a lake of molten lava in its crater. The Congo River  stretches, in an enormous arc, 4,370km from source to mouth. Cruises along the river will allow you pass local villages as well as passing through Yangambi Biosphere Reserve.