Lola ya Bonobo Wildlife Reserve

Address: Lola ya Bonobo, Kinshasa region, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Website: https://www.lolayabonobo.org/

Hours: Visitor hours vary; guided tours generally available on scheduled days (check website)

Admission: Admission by donation / guided‑tour fees apply

Lola ya Bonobo is a bonobo sanctuary located near Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was founded to care for orphaned and rescued bonobos and is the country’s principal sanctuary for the species.

The site operates rehabilitation enclosures, veterinary care and public education programs; visitors may attend guided tours and learning sessions at the facility. The sanctuary focuses on long-term care, social rehabilitation and raising public awareness of bonobo conservation.

The sanctuary was established in the 1990s to provide a secure location for rescued bonobos and to build local conservation capacity. It has played a central role in rescue and care efforts for bonobos displaced by the pet trade and habitat pressure.

The sanctuary is sited just outside Kinshasa and is accessible from the capital, providing a forested refuge close to the city rather than a remote field station.

• Visitor access: Guided visits and educational tours are offered to the public; the sanctuary operates on donations and conservation funding.

Lola ya Bonobo is on the outskirts of Kinshasa. Visitors should arrange transport and visits through the sanctuary’s official channels; road and security conditions in the DRC can vary and prearranged transfers are advised.

• Book a guided tour in advance - the sanctuary runs scheduled visitor hours and needs to ensure the bonobos' care is not disrupted.
• Bring Euros or Congolese francs for donations and small purchases; sanctuary schedules and security checks require identification.
• Follow sanctuary rules: do not approach the animals, and stay quiet during viewing sessions.