The Odzala-Kokoua discovery in Congo
This Odzala Kokoua trip is not a standard African safari – best described as an active discovery within very remote rainforests of the Congo Basin. Suitable for seasoned African travellers for whom strict preparations and low expectations are the norm.
Keen naturalists, photographers and active participants will be rewarded by a very rare experience here.
- Brazzaville
- Odzala Kokoua National Park
- 8 days/7 nights
Highlights of the Odzala Kokoua discovery
The Odzala-Kokoua Discovery is a set date departure starting and ending in Brazzaville on Thursdays only. Deviations from this schedule will increase costs substantially.
The trip entails 3 nights at Ngaga Camp where the main focus is on gorilla trekking and discovering other deep forest species. Mboko is used as a base for active explorations of savanna mosaic and riverine forest over 2 nights. Lango Camp allows simple access to a saline bai, swamps and forests over 2 nights.
Brazzaville is a safe African city in which we recommend a minimum 2 night stay before or after.
- Deep in the rainforest of Republic of Congo we find one of the last refuges of the critically endangered western lowland gorilla.
- So this is an ideal opportunity to track and view these great apes.
- It’s also a rare chance to explore this remote, thriving and most of all, largly unspoiled ecosystem.
- Meet people from traditional forest communities.
- walk along dappled paths through the forest, wade through clear streams
- watch for wildlife coming down to drink at a forest bai (marshy clearings rich in minerals, a magnet for animals and birds)
- be adventurous – you’ll be amongst the very few to experience such a unique, remote and undeveloped rainforest wilderness
- in addition you’ll discover a rich mosaic of habitats and incredible biodiversity
Best time to go to the Odzala National Park
The temperature is fairly even throughout the year, sitting at around 30C on average.
- December to February – driest time in the north
- April to October – driest time in the south
Special preparations for Odzala
We provide comprehensive fact files and checklists for this trip.
- Documentation and medical certification has to be correct.
- Travellers need to be well prepared for remote destinations.
- Please be sure to read the digital itinerary in full.
- A minimum of 7 weeks is required between applying for “letters of invitation” and actual travel date.
We don’t recommend this trip for first-timers to Africa. (Read this article if you’re planning your first African safari)
(Photo credits courtesy Tim Henshall)
Colourful paradise
Odzala... think gorillas, chimpanzees and red-tailed monkeys. Forest buffalo, sitatunga and duiker all thriving in a rainforest eco-system - a rich mosaic of habitats just waiting to be explored.
A colourfully populated paradise, home to over 100 different species of mammal including herds of shy forest elephant who follow the ancient pathways. Look up and listen...
Odzala is home to more than 400 species of bird too!
ItineraryFrom $6500
Day 1 - Brazzaville to Ngaga Airport assistance at Maya Maya. Odzala Charter Flight to Mboko. Road transfer to Ngaga Camp
Day 2 - Odzala National Park - Ngaga Gorilla trek in the morning. Lunch at Ngaga camp. Afternoon relax followed by a forest walk for bird watching and discovery of forest life and river sundowners. Overnight Ngaga Camp
Day 3 - Odzala National Park - Ngaga Gorilla trek in the morning. Lunch at Ngaga camp. Afternoon time with the gorilla research team, forest walk and a night walk to view nocturnal forest life. Overnight Ngaga Camp
Day 4 - Odzala National Park - Mboko Relaxed morning in camp (optional 3rd gorilla trek at additional cost) Road transfer through Mbomo village. Mboko Camp for lunch followed by late afternoon river cruise and sundowners Overnight Mboko
Day 5 - Odzala National Park - Mboko River cruise on the Lekoli River or adventure walk in the Likeni River. Lunch at Mboko Camp. River cruise, kayak or adventure walk. Overnight Mboko Camp
Day 6 - Odzala National Park - Lango Camp Guided morning kayak on the Lekoli River followed by walk upstream to the Lango bai Lunch at Lango Camp Afternoon relax followed by forest walk or time to take a dip in the Lango bai Overnight Lango
Day 7 - Odzala National Park - Lango Camp Guided morning walk to bird hide to watch the African grey parrots in the bai or Guided adventure walk Lunch at Lango Camp Afternoon relax followed by forest and bai walk Overnight Lango
Day 8 - Odzala to Brazzaville Early breakfast at Lango Camp Game drive transfer followed by raised wooden path walk through swamp to Mboko Camp Odzala Charter Flight Trip ends Connect with onward flight or stay in Brazzaville
How to get there
The Odzala-Kokoua Discovery is a set date departure starting and ending in Brazzaville on Thursdays only. Deviations from this schedule will increase costs substantially.
Maya Maya Airport (BZV) is easily accessed by numerous airlines, notably Air France via Paris, Inter Air via Johannesburg and Kenya Airways via Nairobi. Congo is easily accessible from Europe and easily combined with Southern or East African safaris.
The cost of all international flights is excluded from the price.
Wildlife
Wildlife residents including western lowland gorilla, guereza colobus, bongo, moustached monkey, elephant, buffalo, sitatunga. Excellent for birding and chimpanzees.
Odzala is a colourful paradise with over 100 different mammal species… western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and red-tailed monkeys. Forest buffalo, sitatunga and species of duiker and herds of forest elephant. Look up and you’ll discover a few of the 400 bird species that have made this incredible spot their home.
Reviews
"Congo September::The 6 night trip to the Congo was a great experience. 2 camps – Ngaga and Lango. Ngaga Camp is well into the jungle, so 2 hours by plane"
Mike G read more >>Let the Zambezi team help you
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