With world-class ecotourism and a healthy population of western lowland gorillas, a gorilla trekking safari through the lush rainforests of the Republic of Congo offers a captivating experience for wildlife enthusiasts.
Why take a gorilla trekking safari to the Republic of Congo?
Whereas the more well-travelled African nations of Rwanda and Uganda are home to mountain gorillas, the Republic of the Congo houses 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 safari experiences you can find in the world today.
"This is truly Africa in the raw - wild, untamed and untouched."
Discover an untamed wilderness in Odzala National Park
Gorilla 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.
The ultimate luxury gorilla trekking experience
Finding the gorillas on your safari allows you a detailed insight into this wilderness. You’ll take a hike through the humid forest accompanied by your expert guide. Your efforts are rewarded when you 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.
Sightings of rare wildlife in Odzala’s forests and bais
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 Ngaga area.
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 plants, appreciating the unruly beauty of this enchanting tropical forest.
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.
A conservation-focused safari with expert guides
Meet the experts: insights from primatologists
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.
Community and conservation: supporting local projects
Your visit directly contributes to conservation and community development. Odzala’s ecotourism model supports local employment, anti-poaching initiatives, and habitat protection, ensuring that your presence has a positive and lasting impact on the people and wildlife of the Congo Basin.
Plan your luxury gorilla safari to Congo
With so much to explore, our recommendation is to spend at least seven nights on safari in Odzala National Park, but ten or eleven will allow you to really get a thorough understanding of this fascinating ecosystem. Move between three camps set up in differing biomes to see lowland gorillas in the rainforest, forest dwelling elephants in the bais and marshes, and diverse wildlife on the savannahs and waterways.
Extend your adventure: remote safari add-ons
Each journey is customised to your preferences. 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.
