1The river that swallows all rivers - this is what the natives call it. In reality, the Congo, when considering its water masses, is the second largest and the deepest river in the world. At its source in the north of Zambia, it starts out as a mere trickle, but on its journey westwards it grows and grows, becoming ever mightier and with it, the animals, too.

The Congo, mighty and deep like no other river - yet still a retreat and a habitat for several of our world's strangest animals. Our closest relatives live deep inside the dense jungles: three of the four giant ape species have made the Congo basin their home.