Zongo Falls

Not to be confused with Zongo, a city in the Congo Basin.

Zongo Falls (French: Chutes de Zongo) is a roaring 65-metre (213 ft) waterfall on the Inkisi River in the western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Get in

Zongo Falls

The falls are about 130 km (81 mi) southeast of Kinshasa, or about a 4 hour drive. Some might call this a day trip, but it's a long 4 hours. The first half of the trip is on relatively smooth road, but the second half is rough going. You're better off making a 2-day trip of it, and with a 4x4 vehicle at that. With some negotiation you should be able to arrange a 4x4 along with a driver for 2 days for around US$500 in Kinshasa. Guided tours are also offered by several companies in Kinshasa.

Fees and permits

As of 2018, entrance costs US$5.80 per person. Bring exact change and make sure the notes are crisp. Also expect the standard DRC "additional fees" along the way.

Get around

You'll need to hike a bit to get to the waterfall viewpoint.

Sleep

Camping is possible if you bring a tent.

• Seli Safari Resort, ☏ +243 818 883003. Pricey, but your options are limited. USD$180+ per room. (updated Nov 2023)