Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary
Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view
About
Founded by Claudine André in 1994, Lola ya Bonobo is the world's only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos. Since 2002, the sanctuary has been located just south of the suburb of Kimwenza at the Petites Chutes de la Lukaya, Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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4WD Tours
3+ days
Free cancellation
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$1,291
per adult
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(4 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
234 reviews
Excellent
135
Very good
90
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Wendy121212
Belgium152 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
DRC is the only place where you can see bonobos. The parc is definitely worth the visit, it’s beautiful, the guides are extremely friendly & knowledgeable. You will walk around the various living areas of the monkeys, see their sleeping quarters, nursery, and see many monkeys in their habitat. The tour takes around 1h/1h30. There is a lot of walking involved as well as steep steps in some places therefore I would not recommend it for the elderly. Think about taking some water with you because you will be hot & sticky by the end of the visit. Make sure you buy something in the souvenir shop to support the parc.
Written March 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Felix M
Berlin, Germany24 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
Lola ya Bonobo, the Bonobo sanctuary just outside of Kinshasa, is one of those places you will definitely visit during your stay. It's a great place to go to on the weekend and if you have kids you can bring them along easily, they will enjoy it for sure. The sanctuary consists of an open area for the older Bonobos to roam around freely, a "kindergarten" for the young ones, a smaller space for the sick ones and an information point where you will get a short presentation and some information about the work. The staff used to allow visitors to walk around freely along the 2 kilometer walk around the area but this disturbed the Bonobos - so now you will have to walk in groups. It's less fun but better for the animals so I guess that's fine. But still, you will see the apes running around and it's quite an experience because they are just so similar to human beings.
- Entrance fee is $10 per person.
- If you don't want your car washed, let the guys at the entrance know, otherwise you will be asked to pay
- Entrance fee is $10 per person.
- If you don't want your car washed, let the guys at the entrance know, otherwise you will be asked to pay
Written February 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steeve
Kigali, Rwanda4,088 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
If you come to Kinshasa for three days or for three years, there are things you can't miss. Among these are the Lola ya Bonobo, the Bonobo Sanctuary. It is a park situated at the outskirts of Kinshasa. From down-town (Gombe), it takes about one hour and a half to reach. The bonobos are particularly interesting for at least two reasons: there are our closest relatives in the animal world and they only exist in this very country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Upon arriving to the sanctuary, you will see a small river and a restaurant. Walk to the restaurant, chose what you want to eat two or three hours later (they are extremely slow), order, tell them you'll be back in a couple of hours, and head for the cashier desk of the park. The park fee isn't isn't too high. It is only about 10 USD per person. Once you have paid, someone will invite you to watch a short film about the bonobos. After the film, a guide will come to pick you up and will show you around. You will see ten to twenty bonobos, more if you are lucky, engaging in different actions such as resting, fighting, having sex with each other, eating, looking at you, and the like. They are so similar to us that you will be really amazed. After the visit, go back to the restaurant, enjoy a proper lunch and have a good time under the trees. You might swim as well as in the stream if you want. I haven't done it myself, but I heard that it was safe, I mean, it is rather clean and it isn't deep.
Written November 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Viajeromundial007
Washington DC, DC211 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
it was nice to visit this place...but it is not a must!. I saw some bonobos and learnt something about them. You need at least one hour from Kinshasa city to get there. I was kind of dissapointed as I expected to see many of them in their real habitat. It is not much different than a typical zoo...only that this one is exclusively for Bonobos.
Written March 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lillonvoy
Toronto, Canada339 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
I used to come here 20+ years ago with my parents on weekends.This place had restaurant, pool and you could also swim in part the river. The river was so clear and I enjoyed being in the river compared to being in the pool. It was a nice homecoming to a favourite childhood hangout and see the changes. It was nice seeing the bonobos, talking to the staff and walking along the beautiful green path. I really enjoyed the work being done there to preserve the bonobo specie. It was a nice break from the now over congested Kinshasa. The river is not as clear as it used to be due the work being done in quarries. When in Kinshasa please go checkout this place. Lots of pictures opportunities. Please wear confortable closed toes shoes and watch out for red ants
Written May 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VineetBh
New Delhi, India125 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
I was told that it was the only thing worth visiting in Kinshasa. At one level, seeing apes indulging in random copulation (of all sorts), did seem underwhelming. Thousands of miles from home to see that??? But, the sanctuary is well maintained, certainly educational. Bonobos are endangered and the chance of observing them in an artificially natural environ was great. Some moments of bonobos playing around were funny. Some, like the sight of mothers nursing their young or trying to teach them to walk was touching.
Do visit when you are in Kinshasa.
Do visit when you are in Kinshasa.
Written January 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sujata410
Owings Mills, MD925 contributions
Mar 2013 • Friends
This is well worth the visit even if you're in Kinshasa for a short trip. Well-laid and organized and what an opportunity to see an amazing species. We got there around 9:30-10 in the morning just when the bonobos were being let out of their sleeping quarters. It was a lot of fun seeing them all coming out and moving up into the jungle. You can tell that the staff are really committed to the care of bonobos.
Written March 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Prateek S
Dublin, Ireland588 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
An opportunity to experience the wilderness of Congo in a secure and organized way ! Visit the Bonobo Park.
The only place to see the Bonobo up-close without risking your life in the jungles of DR Congo.
The place is well organized, charges a $5 entrance fee which is justified and has a couple of restaurants inside that serve beer and food. You can also use their BBQ pits where many families come to picnic.
A 30-40 min drive from Gombe ( central Kinshasa).
Make sure you take a 4x4 as the road is pretty bad.
The only place to see the Bonobo up-close without risking your life in the jungles of DR Congo.
The place is well organized, charges a $5 entrance fee which is justified and has a couple of restaurants inside that serve beer and food. You can also use their BBQ pits where many families come to picnic.
A 30-40 min drive from Gombe ( central Kinshasa).
Make sure you take a 4x4 as the road is pretty bad.
Written January 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miro X
Bratislava, Slovakia30 contributions
Jun 2012 • Friends
I like that people in Congo DR take care about unique Bonobo monkeys, is really worth of visit
Written July 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
omerlaviv
Rehovot, Israel41 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
Lola ya Bonobo is the only sanctuary in the world for orphaned bonobos. The name of the place means 'paradise for bonobos' in Lingala, the local leading dialect.
The Bonobos are our closest relatives in the great apes family (which also includes gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans.
The bonanos are an endangered specie due to illegal hunting that leaves many bobabos babies orpgsnts. Hence the need for Lola Sanctuary for bonobos.
In Lola, the bonobos are captive, but they live in an environment similar as much as possible to the wild. As a result, the bonobos at Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary, show all the natural behavior of wild bonobos.
Their resemblance to humans is unbelievable and it’s like looking in a mirror. It takes guts to face the understanding of what we have done, and still doing, to this planet.
The Bonobos are our closest relatives in the great apes family (which also includes gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans.
The bonanos are an endangered specie due to illegal hunting that leaves many bobabos babies orpgsnts. Hence the need for Lola Sanctuary for bonobos.
In Lola, the bonobos are captive, but they live in an environment similar as much as possible to the wild. As a result, the bonobos at Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary, show all the natural behavior of wild bonobos.
Their resemblance to humans is unbelievable and it’s like looking in a mirror. It takes guts to face the understanding of what we have done, and still doing, to this planet.
Written January 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much money do you take.
Steeve
Kigali, Rwanda4,088 contributions
It depends if you intend to eat there or not. You need 20 dollars for the taxi, about 10 dollars per person for the admission fee, 20 to 30 dollars per person for the food and drinks, once again per person. I suggest 50 dollars per person.
sheltydog2005
Washington, DC310 contributions
How do you arrange to stay at the sanctuary in Mobutu's former summer house? Can you interact with the infant bonobos like at Ngambe Island in Uganda?
kimberleyk542
Manitoba, Canada59 contributions
I do not know about the summer house you mentioned and we viewed the infant bonobos behind a viewing glass, which was still great to see.
Gillian D
Baltimore, MD2 contributions
How do you schedule a tour? There is no phone number on the website, and no information about scheduling a day trip tour.
kimberleyk542
Manitoba, Canada59 contributions
There is a lot of information on the website, which would be great to read prior to your visit. At the bottom of the home page, you should see "Visit Lola ya Bonobo". Click on it, and it will take you to a page to fill out if interested in the visitor program. I was visiting it with children and didn't get as much info as is on the website. You are free to walk around the grounds and there are three areas you can go to watch the bonobos. Enjoy your visit!
Luca L
Siaugues-Sainte-Marie, France
Bonjour je suis luca Lambard j'ai 14ans et j'aimerais beaucoup me renseigner sur les études à faire pour travailler avec vous.
Merci d'avance
vieuxchameau
Marseille, France417 contributions
Bonjour, vieuxchameau. Que voudriez-vous savoir sur cette attraction ? Bonjour, Question idiote mais je la pose: Comment y aller ? Seul ? Par le biais d'une agence locale ? J'envisage un prochain départ pour visiter plusieurs pays en Afrique et pour avoir visionné des émissions sur les Bonobos, j'aimerais voir ce centre y compris pour 1 ou 2 jours. Or, par le biais de mon ordinateur, je ne réussis pas à avoir les renseignements car leurs liens me donnent des textes indéchiffrables. Grand merci à l'avance pour votre aide.
GoldenRw
Kigali, Rwanda423 contributions
Bonjour vieuxchameau,
Vous pouvez le faire vous-même, mais par l'intermédiaire de tour opérateur sera très bien que de le gérer pour votre propre plan, parce que vous aurez besoin d'informations dépend de l'endroit où vous allez voler?
Je sais que vous pouvez voler directement à Kinshasa, mais comme je l'ai dit dépendra d'où vous allez venir. vous pouvez voler de Goma à Kinshasa ou le faire à partir d'autres endroits, si je connais bien les pays que vous visiterez d'abord il peut me donner une idée de comment vous allez faire et je vous conseille en conséquence.
Cordialement,
Golden Rwanda Safaris
Candy H
San Diego, CA73 contributions
Where do you fly into to visit the bonobos, do you get to hold them?
GoldenRw
Kigali, Rwanda423 contributions
Hi candy h,
I think always you will fly to Kinshasa as Mentined in above Comments or if you can i can give Contact of tour Operator there who can assist you if you are Interested.
- Golden Rwanda Safaris Team.
naboun79
Bressuire, France9 contributions
bonjour le sanctuaire,
passionnée de grands singes et surtout des bonobos, je voulais savoir si il était possible de venir en bénévole pendant quinze jours pour aider et observer les bonobos.
vos conditions? le coût?
merci pour votre précieuse réponse
Arturo M
Cadiz, Spain144 contributions
Sorry,, no idea, I am only a tourist.
Yousra H
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
what is the easiest way to get to Bonobo? take into consideration that i will be a solo visitor
Yang V
7 contributions
Hello, we actually rent a car and the driver already know the way. Once you get there being a solo visitor will not be a problem. On weekends they usually have many people visiting. So maybe you ll be lucky to join a fun groupe. If not it is also ok because the ticket is per individual
Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary Information
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