Congo Villages, Rivers, and Forest Tribes Visit

“Tele Expedition - What a corker!I'd seen lac Tele on the map and decided it was something worth walking to. It's in the middle of no where, lac Tele national park is famous for having the highest density of gorillas in the Congo basin and the swampy terrain necessary to get to the lake sounded like a true challenge.I later found Congo Travel and Tours were running trips to Lac Tele and got in touch. Chris, the director, immediately got back to me with all transport and logistic details I needed. I was in Brazzaville at the time and he set me up with his lead guide, Omar Badji.Having travelled from the U.K. to Congo-Brazza by motorbike I had some understanding of organisational difficulties in Africa, however I couldn't have done Lac Tele without Chris and Badjie. They know all the major players in the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and, importantly, Boha village. Boha, with its central chieftain, melee of influential families and seeming autonomy was one of the highlights of my trip. However gaining permission to visit the Lac from the chieftain ("The Notable") and appeasing the different families is not a joke. Chris and Badjie ensured that I had everything I needed to ensure things ran smoothly. My WCS guide (Sylvester Ebethas, a native from Boha) also acted as an effective mediator.The trek is every rainforest explorers dream - there is a 50km 'piste' from Boha to the Lac. It takes you through ancient untouched forests and a bugger of a swamp. WIldlife seems to gravitate to the lac, so if you've spent the entire trek staring at the ground to avoid the roots or searching for the lead porter, you're in for a treat when you arrive. Crocs, chimpanzees, gorillas, (and supposedly bonobo's) all live by the lac's banks which you can explore by foot or canoe.So a big thanks to Congo Travel and Tours who were accomodating to my needs and made thhe expedition possible! Cheers"

- Alex P, UK, Motorcycle Trip across the entirety of Africa and Lake Tele Abyssal Zone Wilderness Expedition