NEW ADVENTURE!
Track lowland gorillas in the wild on flat terrain in the pristine tropical forest of the Congo!

Odzala-Kokoua is one of Africa's oldest national parks and covers more than 8,000 square miles of pristine rainforest. The park is an integral part of both the Congo Basin and the TRIDOM Transfrontier Park overlapping Gabon, Congo and Central African Republic. It holds globally significant populations of Western Lowland Gorilla and Forest Elephant as well as a plethora of other species. This pioneering safari features two brand new eco-friendly camps in this remote forest environment and a team of expert gorilla researchers to help us track a number of habituated gorilla groups in the area. There currently are at least 7 groups totalling 105 individual gorillas in an area of about 11.5 square miles. Tracking expeditions do not cover enormous distances and can range in length from .5-5 miles over undulating terrain. The forest undergrowth can be thick, but in general the tracking is easier here than in Mountain Gorilla countries like Rwanda and Uganda. Including time spent with the gorillas (maximum of 1 hour per day), these excursions can last between 2 and 5 hours.

We complement these gorilla treks with guided forest walks and motorized pirogue (local boat) rides along the rivers and bais of this area. Bais are swampy, grassy areas that are dotted across the rainforest and offer a rare chance to catch a glimpse beyond the "green curtain" into the lives of forest dwellers. Various mammal species come to the bais on a regular basis, including forest elephant, forest buffalo, bongo, sitatunga, black-fronted duiker, red river hog, harnessed bushbuck, grey duiker and various primate species including grey-cheeked mangabey and guereza colobus.

Activities

Gorilla tracking, walking safari, game drives, boat cruises, guided forest walks

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Fantastic opportunity to see gorillas in their natural habitat -- without the need for expensive permits and on easier terrain and lower altitude than in Rwanda or Uganda!
• Navigable river systems that meander through the rainforest allow for wildlife viewing from the water
• Scenery in the Congo is spectacular and Odzala-Kokoua is an unspoiled haven for wildlife

Duration: 8 days Start Location: Brazzaville, Congo End Location: Brazzaville, Congo

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive Brazzaville

  Arrive into Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo

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  Day 2 : Fly to Odzala-Kokoua National Park

  In the early afternoon we depart by private charter from Brazaville to an airstrip in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.  Drive 30 minutes to Lango Camp -- our home for the next three nights

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  Days 3 - 4 : Odzala-Kokoua National Park / Odzala-Kokoua National Park

  Activities vary from day to day but include walking from camp through the Lango Bai, motorized pirogue rides on the Lekoli River, game drives through the savannah, and visiting a hide overlooking the Mbouebe Bai.

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  Day 5 : Transfer to Ngaga Camp

  We drive to Dzebe Bai and walk a short distance to a hide, where we wait for the chance to see unhabituated Western Lowland Gorillas and other secretive forest species.

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  Day 6 : Gorilla tracking

  We rise early for our first gorilla tracking excursion.  Accompanied by expert trackers, we spend between 2-5 hours tracking the gorillas and we may cover between 3-5 miles through the forest.

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  Day 7 : Gorilla tracking

  Second gorilla tracking morning excursion, followed by an afternoon walk in the forest near camp

• Day 8 : Depart Brazzaville

  After breakfast, we drive 2.5 hours to meet our private charter flight back to Brazzaville. Depart this evening for flights home or to other parts of Africa

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  Mikhael Hotel

  Brazzaville, Congo

  An elegant boutique hotel situated in downtown Brazzaville, Republic of Congo’s capital and business hub.

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  Ngaga Camp

  Congo

  Ngaga Camp's 6 guest rooms are raised 3 meters off the ground, like tree camps with wraparound balconies allowing a full experience of the forest canopy. An identical use of natural materials will facilitate the large comfortable hides at the forest bais where guests will spend time waiting for and watching forest wildlife such as forest elephant, forest buffalo, sitatunga and even lowland gorilla.

• Lango Camp

  Congo

  This camp will consist of six creatively designed guest rooms, taking inspiration from the designs of the local Pygmy or ‘forest dweller’ groups. Natural, locally sourced materials will be used extensively in the construction of the camps: sustainably harvested hardwoods (FSC certified), bamboo and raffia palm matting. Each of the guest rooms will be raised 3-4m above the ground with a wraparound walkway allowing full appreciation of the forest canopy.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

photo credits: ©MTS Photo File