Where to Go in the Congo

With a unique and diverse range of attractions throughout the tropical lowland forests and national parks, many of Congo’s attractions lie in areas that are largely unexplored but which are opening up more and more each day. As it is very much an emerging destination, our itineraries tend to focus on a smaller selection of parks and attractions listed below where we have the most knowledge and expertise, and where we feel we can offer the right combination of incredible experiences and tourism in established, protected zones. Please bear in mind however that the infrastructure is limited and therefore travel around Congo can take its time. Primarily known for tracking gorillas, this is a real highlight for travellers to the Republic of Congo.

Nouabale-Ndoki National Park

One of the most biodiverse areas in the Congo, Nouabale Ndoki National Park is a true unexplored wilderness and swampy tropical rainforest. Covering a total area of more than 4,000 kilometres squared, Nouabale Ndoki is situated in the north of Congo close to the borders with Central African Republic and Cameroon, and was established in 1993 by presidential decree in order to protect the incredible biodiversity of the park through land management, local education and research projects.

The forest consists of both open and closed canopy, with an impressive mix of forest habitats such as swamp forest, vine forest and open clearings. These forests are home to a terrific variety of flora and fauna, with in excess of 1,000 species of flora and 300 bird species. With some of the most important populations of western lowland gorillas and forest elephants in the world, the opportunities for unique wildlife encounters are undeniable. You may see crocodiles, black and white colobus monkeys, dwarf forest buffalo, bongos, leopards, antelope, leopard and duikers. Remaining uninhabited by humans, Nouabale Ndoki National Park is one of the most intact forest ecosystems in the African continent.

Considered the remotest area within the park, you can reach Mbeli Bai, after a 45 minute walk through the forest. Access to the Mbeli Bai Camp located there is by local pirogue boat through swamps, giving you a real sense of adventure as you wave your way through the buttress roots and lillies to arrive at the boardwalk. The camp itself is known to see a range of wildlife visit, including a resident elephant and silverback gorilla, who can often be seen in the trees that surround the camp grounds.

Odzala-Kokoua National Park

A vast green wilderness nestled in the northwest of the Congo within the second largest expanse of tropical rainforest in the world, the Odzala Kokoua National Park is an undiscovered gem that is waiting to be explored, despite being one of Africa’s oldest parks, proclaimed as it was in 1935 by French administration.

Odzala Kokoua is home to the highest density of western lowland gorillas recorded globally. Specifically, the area around Ngaga Camp groups of the gorillas range between 10 to 25 in size, usually with one silverback, the movements of which will depend on their proximity to leaves, shoots, plants and fruits.

Protecting an expanse of forest covering 13,600 square kilometres, Odzala Kokoua forms part of the Congo Basin but also overlaps Gabon and Central African Republic. The habitats of the park are wide-ranging, from forests and mashes to rivers and swamps. The north generally comprises more dense forest and steep hills, whilst the south has areas of savannah plains and forest islands. The many ‘Bais’ or swampy grassy zones found within the park are home to an impressive quota of flora and fauna. These salines attract animals who are drawn to the water and minerals found in the clearings. They therefore represent some of the best opportunities for sightings of some of the endemic wildlife found within the park.

Some of the most popular animals here are the lowland gorillas and forest elephants, but with over 100 mammal species in total there is plenty of other interesting wildlife; 11 diurnal primate species including the moustached monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey and guereza colobus. For birders, there are a total of 430 bird species including the black guinea fowl, grey parrot and forest swallow.

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