Long wracked by political strife, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (previously known as Zaire) is slowly beginning to stabilise and welcome tourists across its borders again.

It’s an intense country to travel, but those intrepid souls who dare to explore it will be richly rewarded with pristine tropical landscapes, magnificent wildlife and a memorable cultural experience.

Congo’s highlights include its exceptional game reserves, five of which are World Heritage Sites.

Arguably the premier tourist drawcard is the guided treks that offer travellers the chance to experience primates in their natural habitat - including gorillas, chimpanzees and endemic bonobos.