Odzala-Kokoua Safari: Gorillas, Rainforest and Ecotourism in Congo

ODZALA NATIONAL PARK / Ngaga Camp
After a night in Brazzaville, a short flight will take you to Odzala National Park, where you will reach your first stop, Ngaga Camp, by 4×4.

Briefing on western lowland gorillas, the behavior to adopt, the conservation program and the surrounding environment.

The main activity at Ngaga Camp is tracking habituated groups of western lowland gorillas through the rainforest. Local trackers will guide you in search of gorillas accustomed to human approach.

In addition to gorilla tracking, Ngaga offers other activities:
– Exploring Ndzehi forest along a network of well-maintained trails (a very different experience from the swampy terrain of Lango).
– Night walks – in search of nocturnal primates and other elusive forest species
– Observing impressive forest birds
– Visiting Ombo village

Itinerary to be defined with the camp team, depending on weather conditions and current wildlife sightings.

During your stay at Ngaga Camp, you will take part in 2 gorilla treks:
After an early wake-up and a light breakfast, you will set off on foot with your guide and tracker for your gorilla tracking.
Thanks to the trackers’ experience, the search begins where the gorilla group slept the night before.
From there, the quest begins, following the tracks until the encounter.
This walk will last between 2 and 5 hours depending on how easily the gorilla group is found, through forest of varying density and trails of varying difficulty. The walk can be challenging (between 5 and 8 km); you may face mud and rain on steep, slippery terrain…
Once in contact, the encounter will last 1 hour.
You will be able to approach the gorillas to within 7 meters.

Slightly smaller than their cousins the mountain gorillas living at altitude in Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC, western lowland gorillas are above all far more numerous. In this region, no fewer than 7 families have been identified, representing more than 100 gorillas. Thanks to years of observation by researchers Magda Bermejo and German Illera, two families are now habituated to human presence and therefore easily observed.

ODZALA NATIONAL PARK / Lango Camp
You will reach your next stop during a 3-4 hour 4×4 safari across stunning landscapes alternating between savannah and dense forest. You will pass through Mbomo village.

On arrival at Mboko Camp, you will enjoy lunch before setting off by kayak along the Lekoli River to reach Lango Bai, your second stop.

On arrival at Lango Camp, where you will spend 2 nights, you will set off on a walk toward Lango Bai, followed by sundowner drinks.
Forest elephants, sitatungas, buffalo, bongos, bushbucks, monkeys, spotted hyenas, leopards and servals inhabit the forest bordering the Lango River.

During your stay at Lango Camp, you can enjoy the following activities:
– morning walking safaris exploring pristine nature and encountering the wildlife of this remote region.
– 4×4 safaris are also possible (at no extra cost), but engine noise often scares off wildlife, which is still little accustomed to vehicles and human presence. Approaching wildlife on foot or by kayak is therefore preferable.
– guided walks through the forest and toward the bai, or birdwatching from the camp’s observation deck.

Suggested itinerary, to be defined with the camp team, depending on weather conditions and current wildlife sightings.

ODZALA NATIONAL PARK / Mboko Camp
You will finally reach your third and final stop, Mboko Camp, during a 4×4 safari.

During your 2-night stay at Mboko Camp, you can enjoy the following activities:
– motorized dugout canoe safari on the Lekoli and Mambili rivers
– swimming in the Likeni River
– guided forest walks.
– 4×4 safaris are also possible (at no extra cost).

On the last day, you will depart in the morning for Brazzaville on a charter flight (Monday or Thursday).
It is possible to arrange a city tour or have a room available at the Radisson Blu before your international flight.