About The Congo
A CONGO SAFARI
Fast becoming an eco-tourism hotspot, The Congo is a small country in Central Africa, with a dense untamed rainforest covering much of the country and the Equator crossing through the north of the country. This is the land of jungles, gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants and a plethora of birdlife, offering a raw, authentic safari experience. If your wish is for a wild, unspoilt safari, then The Congo is the place for you.
Western lowland gorillas are one of the biggest attractions that bring tourists on a Congo safari. A large population can be found in the large rainforest Odzala-Kokoua National Park. A few families have been habituated to humans, giving rise to a Congo Gorilla Trekking adventure. Unique and very different from gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, gorilla trekking in Congo departs from your lodge and you are with the family in about an hour! On a Congo safari, you have the opportunity to go gorilla trekking on three consecutive days. The Western lowland gorillas are slightly smaller than their mountain gorilla cousins, with shorter and reddish hair.
Read: A Congo Safari Travel Guide
REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The Congo is an important biodiversity hotspot with more than one 6th of the country protected. The capital city Brazzaville the gateway for a Congo Safari. Brazzaville’s charm and character combined with a lovely riverside embankment and attractive architecture ensures that your time in the capital before your safari is pleasant. From here intrepid tourists head to the forests of Nouabalé-Ndoki, home to over 300 species of bird and more than 1,000 plant and tree species, and to Odzala-Kokoua, which is home to a good population of Western lowland gorillas. There are some amazing safari lodges in Odzala-Kokoua National Park that create a wonderful safari experience for the intrepid traveller.
Immerse yourself in a raw, unspoilt rainforest in the middle of Africa
ODZALA-KOKOUA NATIONAL PARK
A Congo Safari calling card, the Odzala-Kokoua National Park is in the central north of the country. An important biodiversity hotspot, Odzala-Kokoua lies within the Congo basin and is home to pristine rainforests where Western lowland gorillas, large herds of elephants, other primates, bongo, sitatunga, hippo, crocodiles and more can be found.
There are three excellent camps by Odzala Discovery Camps, in Odzala-Kokoua’s forest from where you can explore this frontier destination. Low impact, viable tourism is the model these camps follow, providing incredible Congo safaris in this off-the-beaten-track destination.
A Congo Safari to Odzala-Kokoua starts with a 2-hour charter flight from Brazzaville, with 4 nights as a starting gorilla trekking, up to an 11-night journey.
Combining two of these lovely camps will provide a diverse and rewarding safari. Road transfers are provided on the combination safaris with a mountain bike trail connecting 2 of the camps for the active visitor. The fences are down between Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park and Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park, creating the formidable Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park which allows greater freedom of movement for the Kruger Park’s wildlife.
Congo Safari Camps
The Congo Basin is dotted with wetlands called ‘baïs’. The bai is a natural clearing in the forest, often swampy, with large mineral deposits. Created and maintained by the wildlife of the forest as they dig for the nutrient-rich vegetation and water. Often a great spot to do some elephant watching at night!
NGAGA CAMP
Overlooking the forest canopy, Ngaga Camp is a magical treehouse camp that offers unforgettable gorilla trekking. There are 2 habituated gorilla groups near to Ngaga Camp and most of the gorilla trekking starts right from camp. This walk enables you to spot other animals like the elephants, buffalo and a plethora of birdlife. Gorilla Trekking follows the same pattern here, spend 1 hour quietly observing the Western lowland gorillas in their natural habitat, going about their day in the forest.
Ngaga Camp is raised and blends beautifully into the gorgeous natural beauty surrounding it. All common areas are on a deck, with views into the forest. Complete with a firm safari favourite, the fire-pit area which doubles as a star deck to spend evenings relaxing around. A natural dell in the nearby river also has a deck and is the place to soak after a gorilla trek.
Each of the chalets is raised high and linked with wooden walkways. With wrap-around decks, each chalet commands views from all angles. The comfortable suites are equipped with mozzie nets, a sitting area and plug points, and are ensuite with running hot water showers.
Other activities include forest walks, night walks through the forest, swims in the local crystal clear streams and rivers as well as a visit to the local Ombo village.
LANGO CAMP
Perfectly positioned to overlook the Lango bai in the south-central part of Odzala-Kokoua, Lango Camp offers eco-friendly luxury living. The Lango bai attracts flocks of Green Pigeons and Africa Grey parrots and the forest elephants and buffalo are regular visitors. With a mix of forest swamp and savanna, the activities at Lango Camp centre around the wildlife found in the Odzala-Kokoua, with game drives, walking safaris and boat trips, as well as night drives, which is a special treat. This part of the world has a wide variety of birdlife, a twitchers paradise.
While exploring the river, look out for animals like the slender-snouted crocodiles and the Patas monkey. Walks take you through the Langa bai, where elephants and buffalo are often spotted grazing in the swamp. Treehouse chalets at Lango Camp mirror Ngaga Camp, built on 3 to 4 meter high stilts, connected with elevated walkways. Ensuite chalets have running hot water and a private deck to enjoy the forest views from. The main areas boast comfy sitting areas, communal dining and the ever-popular firepit.
MBOKO CAMP
Further into Odzala-Kokoua National Park is the Mboko Camp, built on a savanna plain overlooking a bai and close to the River Likeni. Regular visitors to camp include elephants and buffalo. Activities are similar to Lango Camp, with game drives during the day and night, as well as guided forest walks, boat trips and kayaking along the waterways. A mountain bike trail links Mboko with Lango camp and you are able to bike between camps. A tranquil river deck is the place to enjoy a few hours watching the river & animals come past. Take a dip in one of the tranquil crystal clear streams after your activities. Birding is spectacular at Mboko Camp.
Chalets at Mboko Camp are different to Ngaga and Lango, raised just off the ground out of canvas and thatch. Each chalet has a private deck, comfortable sleeping area and en suite facilities. The main area has a dining deck and firepit area as well as a lounge, all ensuring you can see the stunning natural beauty surrounding the camp.
