The great pyramids at Giza, EgyptElephants crossing the Zambezi river in Mana Pools National Park world heritage site, ZimbabweThe great mosque in the Old Towns of Djenne world heritage site, MaliBlack and white ruffed lemur, Rainforests of the Atsinanana world heritage site, Madagascar

Salonga National Park - DR Congo

Map showing the location of Salonga National Park world heritage site in the heart of the Congo Basin rainforests, Democratic Republic of Congo In Danger 1984-92 and 1999 to present

Area: 36,560km2

Inscribed: 1984

Criteria: (vii) aesthetic; (ix) ecological processes

Values:  Salonga is the world's second largest tropical rainforest national park and the largest in Africa. It is extremely isolated in the centre of the Congo River basin, accessible only by water or air. It is the habitat of many endemic endangered species, notably the bonobo (pygmy chimpanzee), the Zaire peafowl, the forest elephant and the African slender-snouted crocodile. Tall equatorial forest trees cover most of the area, the forest varying in composition according to geomorphology. Most of the area is low-lying, swampy ground below 500 m, but drier forest communities occur on terraces and plateau with occasional grassy clearings.  Recent invasion by militias has brought heavy poaching for bushmeat and ivory. With the four other World Heritage Sites in the D.R.C., Salonga now benefits from a UNESCO project financed largely by the United Nations Foundation, to provide for the training and equipment of staff as well as for protection of the country's bio-diversity.

Slide show for Salonga National Park:


Quick Reference Scores:
(for explanation see About Us)

Scenery

Wildlife/Biodiversity

Accessibility

Facilities

Integrity

 

Links:  Google Earth | UNEP-WCMC Site Description |Official UNESCO Site Details | WWF Project NewsBirdlife IBA   

Salonga National Park is only accessible by boat and light aircraft Local people, dressed in animal skins, live a traditional lifestyle in villages neighbouring Salonga National Park (world heritage site, DR Congo) The bonobo (pygmy chimpanzee) occurs south of the Congo River including Salonga National Park world heritage site (DR Congo) Aerial view of a river meandering through the dense Congo Basin rainforests at Salonga National Park (DR Congo)

 

 

© Copyright 2018. All Rights Reserved. African World Heritage, Nairobi, Kenya

Website designed by Ace Solution Africa Kenya