Conservation Status: Bonobos are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with conservation organisations estimating somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 individuals remaining in the wild, based on surveys of known population strongholds.
Social Structure: Bonobo groups are matriarchal, led by older females who direct foraging and travel decisions, a structure that sets them apart from most other great apes.
Behaviour: They are known for resolving conflict through bonding behaviours rather than aggression, a trait that has made them a focus of research into the roots of human cooperation.
Range: Unlike most great apes, bonobos have no second population elsewhere to fall back on, which makes habitat loss in this single region a direct threat to the species' survival.
These traits make bonobos especially compelling to observe up close at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary, where rescued individuals live in conditions designed to mirror their wild social groups.
A Lola ya Bonobo visit takes a little planning, mostly because it sits outside the city and runs on a fixed schedule. Here is what to know before you go.
Opening Hours and Tours
The Bonobo Sanctuary is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed to visitors every Monday. Guided tours run several times a day and typically last around an hour, covering the nursery, the semi-wild forest enclosures, and the feeding areas where bonobos gather closest to visitors.
Timings and Fees
- Tour Timings: 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:30 PM
- Fee: USD 10 for adults, USD 5 for youths aged 12 to 17, and free for children aged 11 and under
The visit offers a guided tour of the Bonobo Sanctuary's nursery, semi-wild enclosures and feeding areas, usually completed within a morning or afternoon.
Getting There and Entry
Reaching the Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary from central Kinshasa takes around 1 to 2 hours, depending on traffic. Kinshasa's heavy traffic can significantly extend travel times, particularly during peak hours, so it is wise to build a buffer into your schedule.
Unwind Together at KertelSuites
Couples who travel to Kinshasa for a romantic escape will find KertelSuites a dream. From gourmet dining in its restaurants to relaxing spa treatments, the hotel offers plenty of ways to unwind together. Its calm, intimate atmosphere provides the perfect retreat from the city’s fast pace.
Your Gateway to Relaxation and Fitness
Unwind at our sparkling swimming pool or indulge in complete relaxation at the spa. Stay active at the modern gym and wellness center, while our dedicated travel desk ensures every journey is seamless and stress-free.
Feeding Time on the Water: Join a carer on a boat trip during feeding time to watch the bonobos gather along the riverbank for their food.
No Direct Contact: This safety measure protects the bonobos from contracting human illnesses, to which their similar physiology makes them highly vulnerable.
Learn About Bonobo Conservation: On the tour, guides explain the challenges facing wild bonobos, including poaching, habitat loss, and the bushmeat trade, while sharing how the sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates, and prepares orphaned bonobos for life back in the wild.
Photography, with Limits: Personal phones can be used to take photos, while professional camera and video equipment requires prior authorisation from the sanctuary.
Support Beyond Your Visit: You have the opportunity to symbolically adopt a bonobo, with contributions helping fund the sanctuary's rescue, rehabilitation, veterinary care, and conservation programmes.
Best Time to Visit Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary
The dry season is the most comfortable window for a Lola ya Bonobo visit, running from June to September, broadly in line with the best time to visit Congo as a whole. Outside these months, the Democratic Republic of Congo's heavy rains can make both the drive from Kinshasa and the forest trails considerably harder going, so it is worth avoiding the wettest months if your schedule allows it.
Organising a trip to the Bonobo Sanctuary is simplest when staying at a hotel familiar with the route, and KertelSuites in Kinshasa fits the bill perfectly. Set in Gombe, Kinshasa's diplomatic and business district, our hotel places guests close to the city centre while keeping the sanctuary within comfortable reach for a day trip, with our travel desk on hand to help arrange transport.
Rooms and Suites: Stay in the 20 sq. m Standard Room for two guests, choose the 46 sq. m One Bedroom Suite with a separate living room, or settle into the 72 sq. m Two Bedroom Suite with an interconnected twin room, ideal for families travelling with children.
Dining: Dine at Méli-Mélo for all-day multi-cuisine meals or savour Italian specialities at Aria.
Facilities: Unwind in our outdoor swimming pool, maintain your routine at the fitness centre, recharge at the spa, and arrange a day trip to the Bonobo Sanctuary through our dedicated travel desk.