Ecotourism industry as a strategy for poverty reduction in the DRC: Case of the bombo lumene reserve and hunting area (in situ) and the kisantu botanical garden (ex situ)

Background: Ecotourism organized at BOMBO LUMENE sites and KISANTU BOTANICAL GARDEN can produce wealth, reduce poverty, and increase awareness of biodiversity conservation. Objective: This study describes the presentation of these two sites, their visitor attendance, the benefit to the populations and their contribution to the country's economy. Methods and Material: Methods used are the following: the historical, comparative, descriptive, systemic, analytical method. The techniques used are the observation, the interview, and the documentary technique. Results: By comparing the two sites, we can say that ecotourism is not yet a reality with the visible effects. Nevertheless, the Kisantu site enjoys the sympathy of the people even at the national level. The one of BOMBO LUMENE is the victim of misunderstandings between the state and the population, it faces poaching, deforestation, soil degradation and cutting of firewood. Conclusion: It is up to the State to implement a policy of environmental protection by raising awareness to the population, an initiative of projects with a visible impact on the population to reduce poverty.