The Republic of Congo Travel Guide
A CONGO SAFARI TRAVEL GUIDE
The Republic of The Congo is a gorgeous country west of The Democratic Republic of Congo and bordering Gabon and Cameroon, with a stretch of Atlantic Ocean coastline. Home to the Congo Basin and the worlds 2nd largest rainforest, The Congo is starting to make headlines in the safari world as a new destination that will excite safari-goers. A Congo Safari offers an untouched, wild and authentic experience, which includes gorilla trekking walking through primordial forests, watching elephants graze in clearings and more.
Travellers head to the Odzala-Kokoua National Park for gorilla trekking to see the Western Lowland Gorillas, where they can enjoy more than one interaction with the gorillas. Access to Odzala-Kokoua is through Brazzaville and then by charter flight.
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE OR CONGO-KINSHASA?
The Republic of The Congo is located in the west of Central Africa. Shortened to The Congo and sometimes Congo-Brazzaville, this country is not to be confused with neighbours The Democratic Republic of Congo, or Congo-Kinshasa. Divided by the Great Congo River, these countries share similar names, cultures, and languages but the biggest difference between Congo-Brazzaville and Congo-Kinshasa is their sizes. Congo-Kinshasa is the 3rd largest country in Africa, while Congo-Brazzaville is small in size and people with only 5 million nationals. Most of The Congo’s population live in or near Brazzaville, a major inland port on the Congo River. Congo-Brazzaville was colonized by the French while Belgium claimed Congo-Kinshasa. Both countries do use French as one of their national languages.
Locals refer to their country as Congo-Brazzaville or Congo-Kinshasa. Congo-Brazzaville is safe, with a few incidents of petty crime. It is important to not confuse this with the DRC which can have flareups of crime (however the gorilla trekking hotspots of the DRC are fairly stable and definitely to be considered for a gorilla trekking adventure! )
Read More: A Congo Safari
HOW TO GET TO THE CONGO
It is best to fly directly into Brazzaville to start your Congo safari, not in nearby Kinshasa which is in the DRC. Only Air France flies from Europe however there are excellent connections with Ethiopian Airways through Addis Ababa, with Kenya Airways through Nairobi and also RwandaAir through Kigali. Once you have landed you will either be transferred to your hotel for the night or on to a waiting charter flight to Odzala-Kokoua National Park. Once on the ground in Odzala-Kokoua, your transport will be in open safari vehicles, by boat in some cases and there is even an option to mountain bike between camps!
DO YOU NEED A VISA FOR A CONGO SAFARI?
You will require a visa for The Republic of the Congo. If your country has an embassy it is advised to get the visa before arrival. Visas on arrival can be arranged by Odzala Discovery Camps with prior notice – this is the last option if you are unable to obtain a visa in your country. As with all countries, your passport will need to be valid for 6 months after you return home. It is also advised that you travel with printouts of your tour vouchers and booking confirmation.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
You will require a yellow fever vaccination certificate along with your normal routine vaccinations. Anti-malarial tablets are required as the Congo is a malaria area. In addition to being fit enough to walk for about 8kms a day through sometimes uneven terrain, you will be required to have your GP complete a medical declaration form to visit the Odzala Discovery Camps and the gorillas.
WEATHER
The Congo straddles the Equator, with a subtropical climate and is covered in a rain forest. The Odzala-Kokoua National Park is just north of the equator. It will rain, it’s just the number of rainy days per month that will differ. The primary low-rainfall season extends from June through September, July is the least wet and the coolest month with temperatures starting to rise again in September. The rain is generally from November through to May. The average daytime temperature is around 25°C (75°F) and at night the average is 16°C (61°F) – 21°C (70°F).
WHAT TO PACK FOR A CONGO SAFARI?
As with most safari packing lists, you will need to pack comfortable, light and loose-fitting clothing. Think neutral colours for when you are out on your game activity, with fabric that dries fast. While in camp you can wear your colourful clothes again! Pack rain gear for any time you travel, a good pair of hiking boots, sun hats and protection and very importantly, insect repellent. Malaria is found all year round in The Congo. Pack a pair of long trousers, with gaiters or long socks to tuck them into, this is especially important for gorilla trekking.
Always pack a warm jacket or fleece, you never know when there is a cold spell, even on the equator!
HOW FIT MUST YOU BE?
The general rule is that if you can walk for 8 Km’s or 5 miles a day, through uneven terrain, you will be fine. There are numerous stops while walking and most people will manage.
WHAT CURRENCY DOES THE CONGO USE?
The Central African Franc (XFA) is the currency of The Congo and is the currency accepted in Brazzaville, with the Euro accepted in some places. US$ is accepted in the Odzala Discovery Camps only, and the XFA or Euro in safari camps. Most safaris will include all your meals, drinks and activities, so gratuities and curios are the only expenses to be settled in cash. Credit cards are not yet accepted in the safari lodges.
WHAT CAN I SEE ON A CONGO SAFARI?
According to Odzala Discovery Camps:
Frequent sightings: Forest Elephant, Forest Buffalo, Bushbuck, Putty-nose Monkey, Guereza Colobus, Western Lowland Gorilla, Palm Nut Vulture, Grey Parrot, Green Pigeon, Great Blue Turaco
Possible sightings: Spotted Hyena, Sitatunga, Marsh Mongoose, Demidoff’s Galago, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Moustached MonkeyRare sightings: Giant Forest Hog, Red River Hog, Bongo, Palm Civet, Crowned Monkey, Congo Clawless Otter, Agile Mangabey, De Brazza’s Monkey, Pel’s Fishing Owl
