Staying at three charming rainforest camps we take an unforgettable journey through the incredibly rich habitats of Odzala National Park in search of its lowland gorillas, forest elephants and diverse primates. Accompanied by Wildlife Worldwide Founder Chris Breen, this tour takes you off the beaten track to discover some of the best rainforest wildlife on the planet.
Our journey through Odzala is a true wilderness adventure where we will immerse ourselves in a land of great apes, magnificent elephants, exceptional biodiversity, and uplifting conservation, all amongst a timeless rainforest. Spending time in the presence of habituated groups of lowland gorillas is surely one of the world’s greatest wildlife experiences, and we have two mornings where we track habituated family groups.
This exciting and slightly more adventurous holiday seeks some of the continent’s most magnificent mammals and a plethora of other rainforest wildlife, in one of the wildest settings in central Africa. Arguably the Congo’s most iconic species, the western lowland gorilla, is easily seen here, and our encounters with these thoughtful, expressive, and awe-inspiring great apes will provide us with memories that will last a lifetime. There will also be intimate sightings of endangered forest elephants, beautiful and rare antelopes, outstanding birdlife and fascinating primates.
Herds of the endangered and rarely seen African forest elephant and russet-coloured forest buffalo are common. While beautifully marked sitatunga and bongo antelopes, sounders of colourful red river hogs, vast flocks of green pigeons, African grey parrots, and perhaps even a noisy group of chimpanzees may all be observed.
Exploring the old-growth rainforest, wet grasslands and tranquil rivers, we traverse some of the most pristine habitats in the Congo basin. As many as ten different monkey species may be seen, including the remarkable-looking De Brazza’s and putty-nosed monkeys. When impressive mammals are not on view, the exceptional bird diversity is likely to vie for our attention and even once dark, a whole new cast of nocturnal creatures, from curious potto's to intriguing insects becomes visible.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Fly to Brazzaville
We take a daytime flight to Brazzaville and on arrival, we transfer to a comfortable hotel in the city centre.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu, 1-night
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Day 2:
Fly to Ngaga Camp, Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Today, our adventure begins in earnest as we transfer to the local airstrip for our charter flight into the heart of the Odzala wilderness. Our first experience of the park will be looking down on the sea of green as we descend to land at Mboko Airstrip in the heart of Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
From here we continue by road, a journey of around three to four hours through a patchwork of savannah and rainforest to our first camp, Ngaga for the next three nights.
Accommodation: Ngaga Camp, 3-nights
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Days 3-4
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Lowland gorilla tracking in Odzala-Kokoua National Park
We enjoy two full days of wildlife walks from Ngaga Camp, starting each day after breakfast and returning to camp usually by mid to late morning where we have free time until the mid-afternoon where we set out again on another wildlife activity.
With the help of local researchers and trackers, we follow one of the local groups of habituated Western lowland gorillas as they go about their daily lives. With the expertise of our trackers, we hope to locate the gorillas close to where they spent the night and forage nearby. The walking is mostly flat, but takes us deep into the forest, often through dense vegetation, but the rewards are great. Spending time with these thoughtful great apes, is one of the most moving and exhilarating wildlife experiences there is.
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Day 5:
Kayaking on the Lekoli River and transfer to Lango Camp
Following a more relaxed breakfast, today we transfer through Mbomo village to Mboko Camp, for lunch. We then continue to the beautiful Lekoli River for a peaceful kayak trip to our next base at Lango Camp. On the journey we may spot forest buffalo, elephants, and the tiny African dwarf crocodile if we are lucky, while African fish eagles and hornbills pass overhead. After settling in at Lango Camp, we hope to observe more forest elephants wallowing in the bai in front of the lodge, and we can take a walk around the edge of the bai and to hides for further wildlife encounters.
Accommodation: Lango Camp, 2-nights
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Day 6:
Explore Lango Bai
This morning, we are likely to be greeted by large flocks of African grey parrots coming down to the bai to drink. We then set off for a guided walk through the bai to locate different wildlife. We can hope to observe African forest buffalo and elephants at safe distances and look for the beautiful sitatunga as well the local harnessed bushbuck and possibly shy duikers, red river and giant forest hogs or even spotted hyenas or chimpanzees if we are lucky. The birdlife is equally impressive with black-and-white casqued hornbill, Congo serpent eagle and many others to watch.
In the afternoon, we take another walk, where we hope to locate some of the many other primate species in the park. Moustached, putty-nosed and De Brazza’s monkeys, grey-cheeked and agile mangabeys are all possible. Just before sunset, great flocks of African green pigeon descend on the bai, and the rare bongo antelope may be seen if we are lucky.
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Day 7:
Transfer to Mboko Camp
After a final morning walk in Lango Bai spotting its special wildlife, we depart for a game drive through a mix of habitats to Mboko Camp. We arrive in time for lunch and a rest, before taking a forest walk and pirogue cruise along the nearby Lekoli River. Beautiful great blue turacos and the intriguing palm nut vulture are common in the area, as are forest buffalo that occasionally venture out into the open to graze on the lush grasses and sedges.
Accommodation: Mboko Camp, 2-nights
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Day 8:
Walking safari & game drive in Mboko Camp
Today we start with a guided walk through the savannah and forest close to camp. Wildlife includes forest buffalo, giant forest hog, bushbuck, several species of secretive duiker and spotted hyena, the top predator in the region. Birdlife is also prolific and includes many species of bee-eater, birds of prey and large colonies of Vieillot's black weavers. We have a range of activities on offer throughout the rest of the day, from game drives and forest walks to another peaceful kayak trip along the Lekoli River.
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Day 9:
Return to Brazzaville
Following breakfast at Mboko Camp, we make the journey to the airstrip for our charter flight of two hours to Brazzaville. Here we are met on arrival and transferred to our hotel for the night. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu, 1-night
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Day 10:
Depart Congo
Today we have some time at leisure with the option to explore some of Brazzaville for those that wish. We have day use of our hotel rooms until we are collected and transferred to the airport for our onward flight. Here we take an overnight flight to Paris to connect with our overnight flight to the UK the next day.
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Day 11:
Arrive UK
