Congo Rainforest

The Congo is the world’s second-largest rainforest biome, fed by the second-largest river.

The Congo is vast. It’s 288 million hectares of some of the oldest, most dense carbon-capturing rainforest on Earth.

Threats are increasing and so is climate-induced pressure. We work with communities to protect the Congo, the biodiversity that keeps it healthy, and the 32 billion (yes, billion) tonnes of carbon stored in trees and plants there.

Alongside the huge rainforest trees, you’ll find elephants, gorillas and the elusive okapi (known as the “forest giraffe’). They live alongside 400 other species of mammal. Hippos, manatees and a variety of fish are found in the swamps, rivers and mangroves that make the rainforest an efficient, functioning carbon sink.

The Congo Facts

The carbon potential of the Congo and the biodiversity that keeps it healthy is incredible, but still the threats grow.

Foggy overgrown hills in rainforest of Cameroon, Africa.

Mega carbon sequestration

It’s net carbon sequestration, the carbon capture, and storage process vital for cooling earth is six times stronger than the Amazon.

Untouched nature

Spanning six countries in central Africa the resource-rich, biodiverse Congo is largely untouched compared to other rainforests around.

African forest elephant walking through tall grass with trunk extended

Beyond people

Home to at least 10,000 animal species. Of these, there are 700 species of fish and 400 species of mammals.

Plants a plenty

The area is known for its high levels of biodiversity. Home to around 10,000 species of tropical plants, of which 600 are tree species.

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Rainforest Stories

News from the rainforest; from the canopy to the forest floor.

Indigenous community save chimp in the Congo rainforest

Guardians of the Congo

Football in the Congo rainforest.

Can football lead to rainforest protection?

Solar Energy in Cameroon

Partnerships in the Congo

Lake to Plate Story: Augustin Nzoghe, community leader, head of Aschouka Island. 5 wives, 29 children and 10 grandchildren. Early morning gillnet fishing with his wife Ophelie Efire (mother of Divine, 2 year old girl). Next: Ophelie cleaning freshly-caught fish in the motor-boat as they head back to the island. On the Island, community members sometimes help clean the fish- here Nanou Bela in a black dress, and her husband, Christian Ekomi Engone, clean fish. Next: Ophelie cooks fish stew in the kitchen while Augustin smokes the freshly caught fish (and yesterday's fish) to preserve it. Next: family eats together in Augustin's home. Augustin's grandson (also named Augustin) is present.

Lake Oguemoué

Reclaiming ancestral land for community forests in Gabon.

Équateur Province

Putting Indigenous peoples in the Democratic Republic of Congo at the heart of rainforest protection.

Foggy overgrown hills in rainforest of Cameroon, Africa.

Mount Muanenguba

Believe in the people on the Mount to protect rainforest.