This tour is a real treat for anyone interested in the African rainforest and its inhabitants. Odzala is the most beautiful park in Congo-Brazzaville and Dzanga Sangha is the top of the cream in all of Africa when it comes to wildlife viewing and gorilla tracking. For this expedition you will go deep into the rainforests of Central Africa and get to see its unique fauna and flora, but also get to know the locals like the Ba’ka tribe living in these forests. We will go gorilla tracking and be looking for animals such as forest elephants, forest buffaloes, sitatunga and many more.
We start our travel in the capital of Congo: Brazzaville. From Brazzaville we will drive by car to the south of Odzala National Park and will explore the park from our accommodation: on foot, by boat and by car. After Odzala we will continue to go to the north of Congo and stay overnight in Ouesso. From Ouesso we will take a boat all the way to Bayanga and from Bayanga you will be brought by your lodge in Dzanga Sangha: Doli Lodge. We will go on gorilla tracking in Dzanga Sangha and also go to the viewing platform near Dzanga Bai from where you will have excellent photo opportunities to see widlife such as bongos, tons of forest elephants, huge flocks of African grey parrots and much more.
Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Odzala is the most known and probably the most beautiful park in all of Congo-Brazzaville. Odzala was founded in 2001 and is being run by WCS, African Parks and WWF. The park consists of mainly rainforest and some savanna. There are over 20.000 gorillas reported in the park and we can also find elephants, buffaloes, pangolins, sitatunga, duikers, leopards, mangabeys, genets, chimpanzees and many more as there are over 100 mammal species in the park.
Dzanga Sangha
After Odzala it’s time for Dzanga Sangha, one of the best parks in the continent for wildlife viewing and an excellent destination to get to know the African rainforest. Dzanga Sangha is part of the Sangha Trinational Park together with Lobéké National Park and Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park and has world heritage status. There is a large bai in the park with a comfortable platform for wildlife viewing from where we can see groups of up to 200 forest elephants and other animals.
It’s important to realize that you’re going to places with little infrastructure, so we ask you to be flexible. In Odzala the accommodation will be basic with occasional electricity black outs. In Dzanga Sangha the accommodation will be more comfortable. Please, take up to three buffer days in case of any hold ups. We are not responsible for you missing your flight due to bad planning.
This expedition involves hiking in the rainforest and for some parts you will have to wade through shallow streams. Please, dress accordingly. Remember that visiting the forest is not without risks and that you always keep your distance from wild animals as their behavior is unpredictable. Bring a mouth mask for your gorilla visit as well.
Find below the itinerary, note that some flexibility is needed.
Day 1: Brazzaville to Etoumbi
Transfer from Brazzaville to Etoumbi in a comfortable bus. Overnight in Etoumbi.
Day 2: Etoumbi – Odzala
Transport to Odzala by 4×4 and check in at our guesthouse near the Odzala National Park. First exploration of the rainforest.
Day 3, 4, 5: Odzala
Three full days of looking for wildlife and exploring the forest. We’ll be on the lookout for elephants, antelopes, gorillas and more.
Day 6: Oyo
Transfer to Oyo/Owando. This is our base to move further north to the town of Ouesso.
Day 8: Ouesso
Buffer day in Ouesso, a beautiful town in the north of Congo, bordering Cameroon. Use the day to relax and explore the city at your own pace. .
Day 9: Transfer by boat from Ouesso to Bayanga
Long boat transfer today from Ouesso, passking by Pokola and going to Bayanga using the Sangha River. You’ll get to see a lot of wildlife such as hippos, turacos, hornbills and millions of butterflies.
Day 10: Gorilla Tracking in Dzanga Sangha
Today on the menu: gorilla tracking. After a rapid covid-test, we’ll go on our hike to find these gentle creatures. It can take us anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours to find them.Don’t forget to bring a mask for the gorilla visit.
Day 11: Dzanga Bai in Dzanga Sangha
Another beautiful day in Dzanga Sangha with wildlife viewing from the impressive platform next to Dzanga Bai from where you’ll see tons of elephants, buffaloes, red river hogs, bongos and more. The platform is also a good spot for birding.
Day 12: Agile Mangabey Tracking in Dzanga Sangha
We’ll go for a hike of 4 – 5 hours to search for a large group of mangabeys (around 150) . On the way might also see elephants, buffaloes, bongo, duikers and more.
Day 13: Departure
Enjoy your last breakfast in Dzanga Sangha! End of tour.
Please, let us know how you’d like to go back, either Congo, Cameroon or Bangui and we’ll help you set it up.
Includes:
– Full board accommodation in the park
– All activities as described
– Park entrance fees
Doesn’t include:
– Accommodation in Brazzaville, and Bangui
– Airport transfer in Brazzaville
– Meals and drinks outside of the parks
– Drinks
– Tips and gratuities
Have a look at some of our videos of our Dzanga Sangha trips!
We can ofcourse start this tour in Bangui, from where you can either rent a car through our agency or charter a flight through us to Bayanga and go to Dzanga Sangha. From Dzanga Sangha we can take you by boat transfer to Ouesso and from Ouesso you can then travel with us overland by car or by bus.
