Mangroves National Park- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Mangroves National Park, established in 1992, is the only marine national park in the DRC and covers approximately 768 km² where the Congo River meets the Atlantic Ocean. The terrain features a remarkable mosaic: salt-tolerant mangrove forests interwoven with freshwater influence, alongside African oak, red cedar, walnut trees, and coastal grasslands. This blend creates vital breeding grounds and nursery habitats, supporting aquatic species such as Nile crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and the endangered West African manatee, as well as terrestrial wildlife including reedbuck, bushbuck, monkeys, and a rich collection of birds like Goliath heron and African fish eagle. Access typically involves boat journeys through winding mangrove channels or overland travel from nearby Moanda (Muanda), a coastal town with modest accommodations and an airport approximately 100 km away. The park is recognized as a Ramsar wetland and managed by the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN). Its conservation importance is underscored by its role in shoreline stabilization, carbon absorption, pollutant filtration, and as a refuge for the rare manatee.