Lowland Gorillas & Pristine Rainforest. Odzala Discovery Camps, western lowland gorilla tracking, and the Congo Basin's untouched wilderness.
The Republic of the Congo, located in Central Africa, offers access to the vast and biodiverse Congo Basin. Travellers visit primarily for primate tracking and to experience one of the planet's most significant and intact rainforest ecosystems. The country is a primary stronghold for the western lowland gorilla, and its national parks are centres for both conservation research and carefully managed ecotourism. Expeditions here focus on wildlife observation, including forest elephants, bongos, and a rich variety of birdlife, in a remote wilderness setting. Government travel advisories for the Democratic Republic of the Congo change frequently; read your government’s current advice before making plans.
As one of Africa's oldest national parks, it is a key site for western lowland gorilla tracking. The park contains a mosaic of rainforest, savannah, and bai, which are natural clearings that attract a high concentration of wildlife.
This park forms part of the Sangha Trinational, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is noted for its pristine rainforest environment. It is a centre for scientific research and home to significant populations of gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants.
Situated on the Atlantic coast, this park features a diverse landscape of rainforest, savannah, lagoons, and mangroves. It is a habitat for forest species, and its coastline is a nesting site for marine turtles and a migration route for humpback whales.
Guided treks into the rainforest allow for the observation of habituated family groups of western lowland gorillas. These activities are conducted in small groups and follow strict protocols to ensure minimal disturbance to the animals.
Visit natural clearings in the forest, known as 'bai', which serve as gathering points for wildlife. These areas offer opportunities to observe large mammals such as forest elephants and shy bongos as they visit the clearings for minerals.
Journeys by boat or kayak on the region's rivers provide access to remote areas of the rainforest. This offers a different perspective for viewing wildlife, particularly the abundant birdlife, crocodiles, and other riverine species.
Explore the intricate ecosystem of the tropical rainforest on foot with an expert guide. These walks can be tailored to focus on specific interests, from primate behaviour and bird identification to learning about the local flora.
June–September and December–February. The two dry seasons offer the most favourable conditions for travel, with lower humidity and reduced rainfall facilitating forest trekking and wildlife viewing. The wet seasons from March to May and October to November experience heavy downpours which can make travel and logistics more challenging.
International flights arrive at Maya-Maya Airport (BZV) in the capital, Brazzaville. Onward travel to the northern national parks and their associated lodges is generally undertaken via pre-arranged charter flights, as road infrastructure is limited.
The Republic of the Congo, capital Brazzaville, is a sovereign state distinct from its eastern neighbour, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), capital Kinshasa. Entry and health requirements change, so check current official government guidance and speak with a travel health professional before you go.
A good level of physical fitness is necessary for activities such as gorilla tracking, which involves trekking for several hours over uneven, and often muddy, rainforest terrain. Conditions are typically humid, which adds to the physical demand.
Entry and health requirements change, so check current official government guidance and speak with a travel health professional before you go.
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