Salonga National Park Parc national de la Salonga
Democratic Republic of the Congo UNESCO World Heritage Site
Salonga National Park is a national park and tropical forest located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Established in 1970, this 36,000 square kilometer area is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Planning a visit
The park experiences consistent temperatures, with daily highs ranging from 29 °C to 30 °C and lows between 21 °C and 22 °C throughout the year. Rainfall varies significantly, with the driest period occurring in June and July, which see fewer rainy days compared to the rest of the year. The wettest months are typically September, October, and November, when rain is frequent.
To reach the park, travelers can fly to Boende Airport, located 178 kilometers away, or to Bangoka International Airport in Kisangani, which is 495 kilometers away. The park is situated 743 kilometers from Kinshasa. It is one of the most looked-up sights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Weather by month
Temperatures stay much the same all year, around 26 °C on average. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
| Average low, °C | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Rainfall, mm | 137 | 155 | 160 | 175 | 143 | 82 | 101 | 192 | 211 | 207 | 207 | 162 |
| Rainy days | 21 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 18 | 17 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 28 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
