This travel in Central Africa will let you taste from three different national parks in three different countries: Odzala National Park in The Republic of Congo, Lobéké in Cameroon and Dzanga-Sangha in the Central African Republic. They are all located close to one another and offer a unique experience which is very different from your usual safari in Africa, which is mostly focused on the big five and in the savanna. During your travel you will go gorilla tracking, meet the ba’ka tribe, see animals such as forest elephants from a unique perspective on the viewing platform and you will see many interesting animals such as bongos, red river hogs, squirrels, pangolins, etc.
We will start our programme in Yaoundé, Cameroon. We will drive for two days all the way to Lobéké National Park, where we will stay for a few days camping and exploring the park, looking for animals. We will then cross the Sangha River from Libondo to Bayanga and will stay at Doli Lodge in the Dzanga Sangha National Park in Central African Republic. In Dzanga Sangha we will go on gorilla tracking, stay at the viewing platform of the Dzanga Bai, visit the Ba’ka tribe and much more. From Dzanga Sangha we will take a boat transfer from Bayanga to Ouesso and after staying for one night in Ouesso, we will now continue to the southern border of Odzala, where we will stay for a few days in a guesthouse, while looking for animals each day.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to add a few buffer days to your itinerary in case of any hold ups along the way. We are not responsible for you missing your flight, due to bad planning!! Also make sure you’re bringing your yellow fever vaccination proof with you!
Remember that you are traveling to very remote areas with limited infrastructure. Especially Lobéké and Odzala have very basic accommodation and in Lobéké there is no running water or electricity. Our meals will be local and basic, so please bring enough snacks with you and also stock up on extra water. Avoid annoyances by having appropriate clothing and shoes and take measures to protect yourselves against insects and the sun (mosquito repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses ..). Bring towels, sheets, enough batteries, a torch, DEET, power banks, medicines with you.
Day 1: Yaoundé – Aton – Doume – Bertoua
Our tour starts in Yaoundé, from where we will start in our comfortable 4×4 vehicle with your own private driver and guide who will take you all the way to Bertoua, passing Aton, Akong Mbang, Doume and eventually Bertoua where we will stay for the night.
Day 2: Bertoua – Yokadouma – Mambale
Today we will drive from Bertoua through Yokadouma all the way down to Mambale from where we will go to a guesthouse from the Lobéké National Park.
Day 3: Lobéké National Park: Petite Savanne
After the necessary paperwork we will go to the headquarters by car and then go hike to the viewing platform of the Petite Savanne. The hike is about 6 km, so it will take one and a half hours to two hours. We will stay here and look for animals the rest of the day (buffaloes, gorillas, elephants, bongos, sitatungas, primates, giant forest hogs) and will then overnight in the forest in tents.
Day 4: Lobéké National Park: Djangui
We will hike around 8 kilometers from the Petite Savanne viewing platform to the platform of Djangui. We’ll look for wildlife again and then overnight in tents near the base.
Day 5: Lobéké National Park: Back to Petite Savanne
In the morning we’ll go look for animals again and then we’ll walk back for 8 kilometers to Petite Savanne. After a day of searching for animals we’ll have another night in the forest.
Day 6: Lobéké National Park: Guesthouse
We will hike back to the starting point of the headquarters and will then stay in the guesthouse in Mambale.
Day 7: Mambale – Libongo – Bayanga
We will drive all the way from Mambale through a dirt road to Libongo, where we will cross the river by boat. We will take the ferry boat from Lidjombo to Bayanga. In Bayanga we will transfer you to a nice 4×4 car and will drive you to Doli Lodge. It is also possible to stay in Sangha Lodge in case you want to upgrade your travel and see the pangolins. Please, let us know if you want to change Doli Lodge to Sangha Lodge.
Day 8: Dzanga Sangha National Park: Gorilla Tracking
After an early breakfast we go to the search for one of the three groups of habituated gorillas of the Dzanga Sangha Reserve. If we’re lucky we can find them in less than half an hour, but it can also take us a few hours. So, be prepared for a few hours of hiking through the beautiful rainforest of Dzanga Sangha and be on the lookout for other animals such as colorful birds, caterpillars, millions of butterflies, antelopes and others.
Day 9: Dzanga Sangha National Park: elephants at Dzanga Bai
Today we’ll drive towards Dzanga Bai and after a hike of 45 minutes in which we walk through the forest and pass a shallow stream (barefoot) we’ll arrive at the platform where we’ll watch the animals interact for the rest of the day. You’ll see dozens and dozens of forest elephants, but also animals such as giant forest hogs, forest buffaloes, red river hogs, bongos, sitatungas and birds such as turacos, African gray parrots, white-throated bee-eaters, woodland kingfishers, and more.
Day 10: Dzanga Sangha National Park: Agile mangabey tracking
Together with the Ba’ka trackers we’ll go look for the agile mangabeys and watch them interact in their natural habitat. We will hike for 4 hours or so and you’ll have the chance to see other wildlife such as buffaloes, elephants and sitatungas.
Day 11: Bayanga to Ouesso After a very early breakfast we’ll go on board of the boat which will bring us all the way down to Ouesso.
Day 12: Buffer day in Ouesso
Today we have a buffer day in Ouesso, which we will use to relax and explore.
Day 13: Ouesso to Etoumbi
Transfer from Ouesso to Etoumbi, most likely by coach, but possible to upgrade to a private vehicle.
Day 14 to 17: Exploring southern Odzala
During these four days we will stay in a local guesthouse and will explore the area by car, boat and on foot in search of gorillas, elephants and other animals.
Day 18: Oyo
Transfer today to Oyo, where we will stay for the night.
Day 19: Oyo to Brazzaville
Coach from Oyo to Brazzaville, where you’ll be brought to your hotel. End of tour.
Includes:
– Professional local guide
– Transport
– Accommodation as described
– Meals in the parks
– Park entrance fees
– Activities
Doesn’t include:
– Meals outside the parks
– Drinks
– PCR-tests
– Visa
– Flights
