GORILLA TREKKING - Discover Odzala Safari, 4 nights

While on a Kamba Journey, tick gorilla trekking off your bucket list. Ngaga Lodge is home to a world-renowned primate research team who have spent the last few decades in the forest navigating its trails and understanding its rhythms. Guests come here to share in their knowledge and experience this amazing rainforest. Track western lowland gorillas respectfully with our research trackers and guides, observe the families of Western Lowland Gorilla that live in the forest surrounding Ngaga Lodge as they climb trees to feast on ripened fruit, swing from branches, and communicate with hoots and howls. Each encounter with these primates so like ourselves is fascinating and life-changing.

Enjoy a guided forest walk in the last jungles of Tarzan. Our intimate guided walks reveal the splendor of the Congolese rainforest, fostering a deeper understanding of this precious ecosystem and the flora and fauna it shelters. Hear the sounds of the forest, smell the dewy humidity, and feel connected to something greater than yourself.

Step into the mysteries of the forest after dark. On foot, listen for insects and watch the flickering light of fireflies. In a vehicle, look for the reflection of shining eyes in the treetops. Notice how alive the forest is, no matter the time of day.

A river deck is located on the Ngaga stream for post forest walks and special occasions. After an afternoon walk through the woods surrounding the lodge, spotting butterflies, birds, and hooting monkeys, you come across a group of chairs set in a stream. You kick off your shoes and cool your feet in the shallow water while the guide prepares a batch of gin & tonics.

Ngaga Lodge is home to the research team who have spent the last few decades in the forest navigating its trails and understanding its rhythms. Here is what guests might see:

* Western Lowland Gorillas
* Crowned Monkey (elusive)
* Palm Civets
* A species of Galago
* Forest duikers
* Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill
* Great Blue Turaco (rare)
* Dynamic range of birds
* Variety of butterflies and insects
* Tree frogs

The star deck and fire pit are found on a deck below the main living area for pre-dinner drinks while you watch the sun set over the forest.

As a result of the work done by gorilla researchers Dr. Magda Bermejo and German Illera, habituated gorilla groups can be tracked and observed in the area around Ngaga Camp. In the extended area there are at least seven groups perhaps 105 individual gorillas.

Two of these groups have been habituated and are able to be viewed by our guests. Tracking takes place on foot with one of our guides and a skilled local tracker, with tracking excursions departing from camp and following the tracks and sign of the animals until they are located. Please note that although every effort is made, gorilla viewing is not guaranteed.

Given that Ngaga Camp is situated at the overlap between the home ranges of several groups (habituated and unhabituated), tracking expeditions do not cover enormous distances and can range in length from 1 to 8 kilometres (0.5 to 5 miles) over rolling terrain and often amidst thick undergrowth.

Including the time spent with a gorilla group, excursions can last between 2 and 8 hours.

The gorilla viewing protocol is based on the guidelines issued by the IUCN for great ape viewing and is very similar to that of Rwanda/Uganda. Protocols are designed speci cally to limit stress, behavioural impact and potential disease transmission from humans to gorillas. These protocols play a critical role in gorilla conservation.

• Minimum age for gorilla viewing is 15 years – this is for reasons of safety, but also for possible disease transmission, with children under this age more prone to infection.

• Maximum proximity to gorillas is 7 metres (22 feet). It is not permitted to approach more closely and we typically view the animals at 10- 15 metres (32-50 feet).

• Maximum viewing duration of any group is one hour per day. Each group of guests has two opportunities to track gorillas.

• Maximum number of guests per gorilla tracking excursion is 4, plus a guide and local tracker to make a maximum group size of 6.

• Guests that display cold, u or other respiratory tract symptoms (coughing, runny nose, excessive sneezing etc.) will not be allowed to track gorillas.

The primary rainforests of the Ngaga area offer a completely different walking experience to the swampy forest area at Lango and the Savannah at Mboko. Relaxed walks along the well-maintained trail system are great for birding and nding some of the spectacular forest species. Guereza Colobus and Putty Nosed Moneys are regularly seen while other species also occur.

The density of Chimpanzee in the area is very high with nest sites being regularly seen while tracking gorillas. The noisy screams and hoots of this species are often heard while in the forest, or even from Ngaga Camp itself, but it requires some good fortune to glimpse our closest relatives in the thick forest. Forest Squirrels, elaborately-built termite castles, spectacular butter ies and cool forest streams all make walking here an incredible nature experience.

The Ngaga area has a much lower density of Forest Elephant and Buffalo than Lango or Mboko and it is therefore safe to venture out at night on foot in search of the forest’s most secretive inhabitants.

Nocturnal primates are well represented. Along with the more familiar Galagos, two really bizarre and unique creatures can possibly be spotted: the Potto and the Angwantibo. These slow-moving prosimians are tricky to nd, but once located often offer really good viewing as they cling motionlessly to a branch. Shy Forest Duikers, Palm Civets and Tree Pangolins are also occasionally encountered.

Africa’s largest bat, the Hammer Head Bat, whose resounding calls are unmistakable, can normally be found by scanning the canopy within the calling area. A number of owls occur in this part of the forest, the Red Chested Owlet being the most commonly seen.

Mboko Lodge is the home of adventure. A safari experience of unparalleled intimacy, our guided walks reveal the splendor of the Congolese Basin and its pristine rainforests. Quiet, reverent, and unhurried, they foster a deeper understanding of this precious ecosystem and the flora and fauna it shelters. Hear the sounds of the forest, smell the dewy humidity, and feel connected to something greater than yourself. Behold birds with breathtaking plumage and plants so rare they haven’t been named yet. Each walk promises something different — it is up to fickle nature to decide. But each usually ends in a delicious home-cooked meal or a delightful round of sundowners in a one-of-a-kind setting.

During your time at Mboko Lodge, you will have the chance to see an incredible array of wildlife:
*Forest Buffalo
*Harnessed Bushbuck
*Forest Elephant (elusive)
*Spotted Hyena (elusive)
*Bongo (rare)
*Western Sitatunga
*Black and White (Guereza) Colobus Monkeys
*Grey-cheeked Mangabey
*Putty-nosed Monkey
*De Brazza's Monkey (elusive)
*Chimpanzee (rare)
*Slender-snouted crocodile (rare)
*Dwarf crocodile (rare)
*Hippo (rare)
*Rich in bird life

Dip your paddle into the pristine waterways of the Congo Basin and explore the wilderness from a new angle. As you drift along, keep your eyes open (and camera poised) for cavorting monkeys, colorful birds, and elephants, buffalo, and antelope grazing on the banks. Allow the beauty and tranquility of your surroundings to soothe your soul.

From the boat launch just outside Mboko Lodge, you’ll explore the gentle Lekoli River and its byways and baïs along with your guide. No experience is required; a dry bag is recommended to protect your camera and other gear.

Explore the river environment from the comfort of an open-air motor skiff, cruising the winding waterways and contemplating its astounding biodiversity: elephants, water buffalo, monkeys, birds, insects, and innumerable trees and plants. Morning cruises place you at the heart of the awakening jungle; afternoon cruises are capped by the gossamer grandeur of an African sunset.

River cruises depart from the boat launch located just outside of Mboko Lodge. Our skiffs are simple but comfortable and engineered to allow us to explore the Lekoli River and its tributaries, backwaters, and baïs, while minimizing our impact on the environment.

Get wet and dirty by exploring the river on foot at your own pace.

The aging termite mounds are the calling card of Mboko and fleck the landscape.

The Lekoli River in the Lango region offers one of the best chances to observe the wildlife of the forest since visibility here is greater than within the canopy.

We make use of motorised aluminium boats and traditional pirogues to travel against the river currents whilst the most rewarding time is spent drifting silently downstream searching the beautiful forested banks for Forest Elephant, Forest Buffalo, primate species like Putty-nosed Monkey and de Brazza’s Monkey and birds.

Although Hippo do occur, their numbers are low and they are seldom seen.

Bongo antelope are an exciting possible sighting. Crocodiles are represented by two harmless species, the Slender-snouted Crocodile and the African Dwarf Crocodile. Chimpanzees are regular in this area although more often heard than seen.

Exploring the Lango and Mboko areas on foot offer many great wildlife viewing opportunities. The area’s savannah, marsh, swamp forest and riverine forest are home to Forest Elephant and Forest Buffalo, both of which are regularly encountered. Stalking quietly along forest trails can produce sightings of Red River Hog and shy forest birds. Monkeys are also often encountered and interestingly, the riverine and swamp forest is home to no less than eight monkey species. Guereza Colobus, Grey-cheeked Mangabey and Putty-nosed Monkey are regularly seen. With a bit of luck one may encounter Crowned and Moustached Monkeys, De Brazza’s Monkey and Northern Talapoin.

Walking is also the best way to study the ne detail of the forest – insects, fungi, orchids, animal tracks and birds are all part of the show. The soundtrack is provided by a chorus of frogs, birds and insects whilst monkeys and other creatures hoot, scream and grunt in the background. Walking in the Lango area is adventurous as the area is very wet. Trails have been opened to allow access to the main areas, but one often returns to camp with wet and muddy shoes and even other parts of your clothing as proof of the adventure!

Game viewing vehicles are used in the Lango and Mboko areas primarily to access the region’s diverse attractions rather than for game viewing. We use the vehicles to get to and from walking and boating activities.

In the early mornings and late evenings a drive along the forest edge offers a different perspective of the landscape. Wildlife that is often seen along the forest edge includes Forest Elephant, Forest Buffalo and Western Sitatunga.

After a sundowner stop, we continue to explore the savannah and forest edge, spotlighting in search of rarely seen and shy nocturnal creatures. Some of the elusive species that can be encountered with a bit of luck include Spotted Hyaena, Aardvark, Leopard, Golden Cat, Emin’s Pouched Rat, Palm Civet and two species of Pangolin. This is also a good time to search for some of the many owls that occur here, whilst both Long-tailed and Swamp Nightjars are common all year round.

The perfect place to end a forest or adventure walk is our river deck at Mboko Camp. Replete with comfortable chairs and a view of the surrounding wildlife, guests can swim, relax or enjoy a cold beverage here.