6 Days - ODZALA ~ Gorilla Discovery

Day 1

    

Brazzaville

Day notes

WEDNESDAY

Arrive Maya-Maya-Airport (BZV) on your own arrangement.

On arrival, you will be assisted by a representative through immigration, where you will then transfer to Radisson Blu M'Bamou Palace.

You may choose to book a Brazzaville City Tour on this afternoon. (This can be arranged through Inspired Journeys).

Private Transfer from Maya-Maya Airport [BZV] to Radisson Blu M'bamou Palace Hotel Brazzaville

Details  
Company

Congo Conservation Company

Mode

Private Transfer

Pick up

Maya-Maya Airport [BZV] (Airport)

Drop off

Radisson Blu M'bamou Palace Hotel Brazzaville (Hotel)

Private Transfer

Check-in to Radisson Blu M'bamou Palace Hotel Brazzaville

Expert tips:

Please ensure that you print a copy of your letter of invitation and yellow fever certificate and carry this with you throughout your travels.

On arrival at Maya Maya airport you will need the following  with you throughout your travels:

  • Letter of invitation
  • Visa Assistance Letter 
  • $50 in cash (Correct change and notes over 2006 year)

AT MAYA MAYA AIRPORT

On arrival, please proceed to the disembarkment section where you will need to complete the entry card. An official will meet you at this area and take you through the first entry and ask for your passport, Visa assistance letter and letter of invitation.

He/ She will issue your visa and you will need to give him the US$50 in cash

*(Please ensure you have the correct change) the visa on arrival is a stamp and signature and then you may proceed through to baggage reclaim.

Once you have reclaimed your baggage a representative will be waiting for you, and will assist you either to the Radisson Blu for your overnight stay or straight through to the scheduled charter flight.

The member of the team will be wearing an Odzala badge and branded shirt.

IN SUMMARY

Please have the following documents ready for your arrival in Brazzaville:

  • CCC - Letter of invitation

This can be presented when checking in with Rwandair if requested

  • US$50 for yout Congo visa fee 
  • Visa Application assistance letter  

This can be presented when checking in with Rwandair if requested

  • Passport

With 6 months validity from return to home country and 2 pages available for each country you are visiting - including your return home.

  • Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate

Please make sure  your full name and a validity date is clear on the certificate

AT RADISSON BLU:

(This beautiful hotel in the center of Brazzaville gives you access to gym facilities, Wi-Fi, Buffet Breakfast, and sauna and Jacuzzi to rest tired muscles before and after your Odzala Adventure)

Please note that there is a money exchange facility and ATM within the hotel itself. 

We advise to carry US Dollars, EUROS and or CFA for tipping and purchases at Odzala

Included:

  • Transfers
  • Meet & Greet
  • Airport Assistance

Excluded:

  • Lunch & dinner

Day 2

    

Mbomo

Day notes

THURSDAY

Pick up from Radisson Blu M'Bamou Palace and transfer to Maya-Maya Airport for your flight to Odzala-Kokoua National Park.

Charter flight from Maya Maya Airport (Brazzaville) to Mboko Airstrip (Odzala): 

  • Flight number: Let L-410 
  • Departs Brazzaville (Maya Maya Airport) at 13h00 
  • Arrives Odzala (Mboko Airstrip) at 15h00
  • Flight time: 2 hours

On arrival at Mboko Airstrip, you will transfer by road to Ngaga Camp, this is about a 2 hour drive through the Odzala-Kokoua National Park.

After you have settled in, get a chance to meet the gorilla research team or Odzala guide who will explain the upcoming gorilla treks. After spending time with the researchers and soaking the 'awe' of being in the heart of the jungle, a delicious dinner will be served.

Tonight you will sleep in a luxury en-suite forest room.

Check-out from Radisson Blu M'bamou Palace Hotel Brazzaville

Private Transfer from Radisson Blu M'bamou Palace Hotel Brazzaville to Maya-Maya Airport [BZV]

Details  
Company

Congo Conservation Company

Mode

Private Transfer

Pick up

Radisson Blu M'bamou Palace Hotel Brazzaville (Hotel)

Drop off

Maya-Maya Airport [BZV] (Airport)

Private Transfer

Check-in to Ngaga Lodge

Charter Flight from Maya-Maya Airport [BZV] to Mboko Airstrip

Details  
Flight Company

Congo Conservation Company

Mode

Charter Flight

Flight No.

Let L-410

Departure

Maya-Maya Airport [BZV]

13:00

2 hours
Arrival

Mboko Airstrip

15:00

Charter Flight

Guided Transfer from Mboko Airstrip to Ngaga Lodge

Details  
Company

Congo Conservation Company

Mode

Guided Transfer

Pick up

Mboko Airstrip (Airstrip)

Drop off

Ngaga Lodge (Ngaga Camp)

Guided Transfer

Expert tips:

Please note:

There are no bathroom facilities on the flight LET L-410 and only bathroom facilities at Ngaga Camp. There is a game viewer transfer from Mboko Airstrip to Ngaga camp which lasts approximately 2 hours maximum.

Last bathroom breaks would be advised at Maya Maya airport as there is a long wait until bathrooms for ladies will be available.

Water and baguettes will be available on your flight to camps. On arrival at Mboko airstrip there will be cold towels and refreshments before departing to Ngaga Camp for overnight stay.

WIFI

WIFI is available at Ngaga and Mboko Camp, Lango due to location does not have this facility available. When guides or management inform you that you will be transferring to Lango Camp we advise you to inform your loved ones and or work that you will be out of range or connection during this time.

As well as gorilla tracking, Ngaga offers a host of additional unique activities:

  • Explore the Ndzehe Forest on a network of well-maintained trails – a very different experience to the swampy terrain at Lango
  • Night walks – in search of nocturnal primates and other shy forest species
  • Take time to admire – and even commune with – giant forest trees
  • Spend time just looking around you at the colours and shapes of insects, seed pods, fungi and orchids
  • Don’t forget to look up for turacos, hornbills, and other impressive forest birds
  • Cool off in a clear forest stream after a day tracking gorillas
  • Visit nearby Ombo village to learn more about sustainable forest lifestyles and how people make the most of all that Nature provides in such a remote location.
  • Experience the forest by night, in search of strange nocturnal creatures

Included:

  • Scheduled Charter Flight
  • Airport transfer

If you wish to purchase something additional management and or staff will inform you that this will be billed to you at the end of your stay and can be paid for in EURO, Dollars or CFA.

 

Excluded:

  • Breakfast 
  • Additional activities on this morning before departing to the airport

Day 3

    

Mbomo

Day notes

FRIDAY

Early morning wake up call at 05h00, breakfast is served at 05h30 and at 06h00 sharp, where your gorilla trek will start leading out from the camp.

*All treks are intimate and are conducted in groups of 4 guests accompanied by a professional guide and one tracker.

The first 20 minutes of walking is a slight to medium incline, followed by level walking through the forest trails. Once the tracker locates the gorilla family, you will start to slow down and trek through the forest undergrowth.

*1 hour is allotted to spending time with the Gorilla family, quietly watching and enjoying their daily life.

After you have spent 1 hour with the Gorillas, you will return to camp for lunch.

The afternoon will be spent relaxing, sharing photos and chatting about your experience with your fellow travellers and guide (or taking a nap after an early morning), and if you feel up for it,  you can take a forest walk for some incredible bird watching and discovery of forest life, followed by river sundowners.

Tonight you will sleep in a luxury en-suite forest room.

Planned

Forest walk

Expert tips:

Medical/health condition requirements:

  • Letter of vaccinations for gorilla tracking

*Measles and polio vaccination record to comply with gorilla viewing protocols.

  • Clean bill of health for gorilla tracking

*Medical certification that you are free from tuberculosis (certification may not be older than 6 months).

*You will be supplied with the necessary documentation to complete this process, and assisted by an Inspired Journeys representative through the process and if you have any questions. The documents will need to be sent to your Inspired Journeys representative before you travel

Do remember to pack the following for your gorilla trek:

  • Sunglasses, sunscreen (non-greasy recommended) & sunhat/cap.
  • Binoculars, camera equipment preferably with a 70 -200 mm lens, anti-fog for lenses, spare batteries and memory cards or film.
  • Insect repellent 
  • A day pack for walks and gorilla tracking

*Include zip-lock bags or a lightweight dry bag for electronic

  • Comfy hiking boots (with good tread on soles)
  • Rain poncho depending on weather

Day 4

    

Mbomo

Day notes

SATURDAY

Today, as per the day before - you will embark on your 2nd Gorilla Trek, with another early morning wake up at 5h00, where breakfast is served at 05h30 and at  06h00 sharp, where your gorilla trek will start leading out from the camp.

After you have spent 1 hour with the Gorillas, you will return to camp for lunch.

You may spend the afternoon relaxing, sharing photos and chatting about your experience with your fellow travellers and guide (or taking a nap after an early morning), or choose to take a 3rd Gorilla trek.

On this evening, you may take another forest walk, bit this time to discover the nocturnal life of the jungle. 

Tonight you will sleep in a luxury en-suite forest room.

Expert tips:

Do remember to pack the following for your gorilla trek:

  • Sunglasses, sunscreen (non-greasy recommended) & sunhat/cap.
  • Binoculars, camera equipment preferably with a 70 -200 mm lens, anti-fog for lenses, spare batteries and memory cards or film.
  • Insect repellent 
  • A day pack for walks and gorilla tracking

*Include zip-lock bags or a lightweight dry bag for electronic

  • Comfy hiking boots (with good tread on soles)
  • Rain poncho depending on weather

Day 5

    

Odzala Kokoua National Park

Day notes

SUNDAY

This morning, you may choose to wake up at a relaxed pace, and if you feel up for it you can wake up early again to complete the 3rd Gorilla trek if you did not do it the afternoon before.

Once trekkers return to camp, you will transfer by road through Mbomo village (to see Sunday village life) and more of Odzala-Kokoua National Park.

Arriving at Mboko Camp for lunch, followed by a kayak safari or sundowner river boat cruise.

Overnight Mboko Camp in an en-suite River Room

Check-out from Ngaga Lodge

Guided Transfer from Ngaga Lodge to Mboko Lodge

Details  
Company

Congo Conservation Company

Mode

Guided Transfer

Pick up

Ngaga Lodge (Ngaga Camp)

Drop off

Mboko Lodge (Mboko Camp)

Guided Transfer

Check-in to Mboko Lodge

Planned

River cruise

Expert tips:

Many activities at Mboko are a combination of driving and / or walking and boating. This is to give you access to the most productive and beautiful areas of the Concession, and the best possible wildlife viewing once there.

  • Exploring the nearby bai and associated swampy open areas, the Lekoli River, surrounding savannah and forest areas 
  • Spot wildlife from the Camp: Forest Buffalo and Harnessed Bushbuck are regular visitors 
  • Enjoy the antics of resident Cercophithecus nictitans (putty nose monkeys) in the gallery forests in front of camp 
  • Walk the 700m nature board walk through the semi flooded forest near Mboko 
  • Adventure trails along the edges of forested areas give insights into the arboreal world 
  • Drift silently down the Lekoli River, watching out for primates, birds and forest elephant on the banks
  • Spot dwarf crocodiles, forest ducks and kingfishers – and maybe even a hippo 
  • Look out for hyaena, aardvark, and serval on savannah game drives by day and night 
  • Enjoy a chorus of strangely melodious forest sounds after dark

Day 6

    

End of Itinerary

Day notes

MONDAY

After a relaxed breakfast at Mboko Camp, you will transfer to Mboko Airstrip for your Charter flight back to Maya Maya Airport at 9h00, arriving in Brazzaville at 11h00

*Depending on your onward journey details, you may connect with your onward international flight or stay another night in Brazzaville, where you will be transferred to the Radisson Blu. 

If you stay in Brazzaville, you may take this opportunity - if you did not on the first day to book a Brazzaville City Tour. (This can be arranged through Inspired Journeys).

Check-out from Mboko Lodge

Guided Transfer from Mboko Lodge to Mboko Airstrip

Details  
Company

Congo Conservation Company

Mode

Guided Transfer

Pick up

Mboko Lodge (Mboko Camp)

Drop off

Mboko Airstrip (Airstrip)

Guided Transfer

Charter Flight from Mboko Airstrip to Maya-Maya Airport [BZV]

Details  
Flight Company

Congo Conservation Company

Mode

Charter Flight

Flight No.

Let L-410

Departure

Mboko Airstrip

09:00

2 hours
Arrival

Maya-Maya Airport [BZV]

11:00

Charter Flight

Included:

  • Scheduled Charter Flight
  • Transfer to Radisson Blu *(if needed)

Excluded:

  • Accommodation (*if staying in Brazzaville)
  • International Flights
  • Additional meals & drinks

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