If rare, exhilarating and highly exclusive wildlife experiences appeal to you, then our extraordinary trip to the Republic of Congo in search of the mighty western lowland gorillas could be the trip you’ve been waiting for.
Unlike trekking to see mountain gorillas in the more well-travelled African nations of Rwanda and Uganda, the Republic of the Congo is home to half the world’s western lowland gorillas and an abundance of lush rainforests. It’s also one of the finest countries in the continent for ecotourism. With only small parties allowed and a few permits available per day, this is one of the most exciting and adventurous wildlife experiences you can find in the world today.
"This is truly Africa in the raw - wild, untamed and untouched."
Trekking takes place in the remote Odzala National Park from Ngaga Camp. First protected in 1935 and one of the oldest parks in Africa, Odzala is located in the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest. The dense vegetation and flourishing ecosystems allow a wealth of wildlife to thrive here in the steamy jungle, with around 100 mammals, over 440 bird species and 4,500 types of plants. This is truly Africa in the raw – wild, untamed and untouched. Spending time surrounded by wildlife in one of the richest ecosystems in the world is simply mesmerising. The wild Congo that existed in your imagination, the setting of Tarzan’s epic adventures: suddenly you’re at the very beating heart of this captivating jungle.
Aside from the highlight of the western lowland gorillas, you may glimpse wild chimpanzees and other species including grey-cheeked mangabey, forest elephant and buffalo. In the M’boko area, you can often find a wide variety of monkeys including the moustached monkey, Guereza colobus monkeys and Allen’s swamp monkey to name a few. Stop to listen to the sounds of nature as you hike through the dense Marantaecea trees, appreciating the unruly beauty of this enchanting tropical forest.
Finding the gorillas is very much part of the fun: you’ll take a challenging hike through the humid forest accompanied by your expert guide, but it’s well worth the effort when you finally find the gorillas amongst the rainforest trees. It’s thrilling to observe these magnificent creatures’ behaviour as they beat their chests and scream whilst swooping through the foliage. As arboreal herbivores, this critically endangered species is constantly on the move searching for berries and leaves, which makes them highly entertaining to watch.
If you’d like to learn more after your wild encounter, then we can arrange an evening with primatologist expert Dr Magda Bermejo. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain insights into the gorilla families based on Magda’s work to protect them; an inspirational story that benefits both the animals and the local community.
Another focal point for wildlife sightings are the bais (bogs and clearings) which contain rich minerals and salts that antelope, elephant and other wild animals gravitate towards. Traversing this lively rainforest terrain can be done in a variety of ways, from trekking through the dense vegetation to kayaking or wading through swamps. Alternatively, we can provide a guide to take you on game drives to find birds and other extraordinary wildlife.
With so much to explore, our recommendation is to stay in the park for at least 6 nights. If you wish to extend your trip there are around 70 villages scattered around the edge of the park where friendly locals – both Bantu and Pygmy – welcome cultural interactions. Furthermore, if you are staying longer in this beguiling region, we can arrange a speedboat transfer up the river from Odzala to Dzanga-Sangha National Park to see forest elephants, primates, forest wildlife and pangolin conservation.
Every day offers a new adventure here in the depths of the magnificent Congo, so whilst this unruly and unpredictable rainforest may be tricky to traverse at times, you’ll find that your adventure in the Congo is one of those life-changing experiences that never leaves you.
