Day notes
SUNDAY
This trip starts on a Sunday and ends on a Wednesday, and is timed to connect with the Kenya Airways flights arriving in Bangui on Sundays at 08h45 and departing the following Wednesday at 14h20.
On arrival in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. You will be met on arrival at Bangui M'Poko International Airport, where you will be assisted through the arrival process, baggage collection, and then on to your charter flight to Bayanga.
On arrival in Bayanga, you will be met at the landing strip by a friendly team, who will transfer you by car to the Sangha Lodge (20-30-minute drive).
On this afternoon, if time permits and you have energy, you can venture out to visit the only habituated black-bellied pangolin in the world, followed by a short afternoon sundowner cruiser on the Sangha River.
Check-in to Sangha Lodge
Charter Flight from Bangui M'Poko International Airport [BGF] to Bayanga Airport
Charter Flight
Bangui M'Poko International Airport [BGF]
Bayanga Airport
Shared Transfer from Bayanga Airport to Sangha Lodge
Shared Transfer
Bayanga Airport (Bayanga Airstrip)
Sangha Lodge
Expert tips:
On Arrival in Bangui you will need the following documents on hand:
Valid passport, including a visa for Central African Republic
Valid yellow fever certificate
Copy of your Letter of Invitation
On arrival your passport will be requested by the Lodge, and returned a few days later, after all formalities have been completed in town for permit allocations.
If you cannot arrive in Bangui before 10h00(am) on this day, you will need to arrive the day before and spend the night in a hotel. Inspired Journeys can help arrange this on request.
Your baggage allowance for the charter flights is generally 23 kilograms, which may vary depending on the number of people on the flight. Should there be any additional limitations, you will be notified in advance. Should you require additional baggage, you need to discuss this with Sangha Lodge at least a month in advance, in order to verify the possibilities, and make suitable arrangements if possible.
Excluded:
- Accommodation in Bagui (if needed) - this can be arranged by Inspired Journeys.
Day notes
MONDAY
Today you head down to Bai Hokou where you will spend time tracking a group of Western Lowland Gorillas. The trekking is generally quite flat but it can be quite far. To get to the gorilla family can take 1 to 2 hours.
Dzanga-Sangha National Park in C.A.R., Nouabale-Ndoki National Park and Odzala National Park in the Republic of Congo are the only places in the world where you can find habituated Western Lowland Gorillas.
Expert tips:
Tracking groups are limited to 3 persons per group, and all persons need to wear masks.
The walk to find gorillas can be strenuous and a reasonable level of fitness is required.
Dress accordingly as recommended in the CAR Info Pack for the gorilla tracking.
Have your cameras ready, and make sure they are fully charged with an extra memory card on hand, as you will be surprised as to how many pictures you will take. Please note: No flash photography is allowed,
Please pay attention to Tracker / Ranger instructions on ‘Gorilla Etiquette’ and pay attention to the Ranger at all times.
Other recommended items to pack for your trek;
Lightweight day pack for personal items during walks. Include some “Ziploc” bags or dry bag for electronic equipment and items vulnerable to moisture.
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Insect repellent (tropical grade) – those containing DEET work best, whereas natural products such as citronella
and eucalyptus do not work very well.
Anti-itch / allergy cream, anti-histamine pills and an “EpiPen” for anyone with serious allergy to bites or stings.
Insect hats / masks as sweat bees can be a challenge at times.
Anti-fog lens for cameras
Binoculars
Day notes
TUESDAY
Today you will visit to Dzanga Bai, which is a large mineral rich clearing in the middle of the rainforest where forest elephants gather in large numbers to indulge in drinking the mineral rich waters that bubble up in places within this Bai.
The interaction between so many different groups of forest elephants ensure that no one will ever get bored at this location. Keep your eyes open for some of the other normally shy forest creatures like bongo, giant forest hog, red river hog, situtunga and forest buffaloes who will also be drawn to this Bai.
Expert tips:
You will be entering an African rainforest that can be wet and muddy and it is recommended that you plan accordingly. Visiting Dzanga Bai you will complete an easy 2-kilometre walk, with a short section through clean river water between knee to thigh deep. It is recommended that you wear shorts or zip-off trousers for this activity.
You may encounter different insects depending on the season, including amongst others: mosquitos, sweat bees, Filaria flies.
Recommended items to pack for this adventure;
Lightweight day pack for personal items during walks. Include some “Ziploc” bags or dry bag for electronic equipment and items vulnerable to moisture.
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Insect repellent (tropical grade) – those containing DEET work best, whereas natural products such as citronella
and eucalyptus do not work very well.
Anti-itch / allergy cream, anti-histamine pills and an “EpiPen” for anyone with serious allergy to bites or stings.
Insect hats / masks as sweat bees can be a challenge at times.
Camera, with adequate charge, extra batteries, flash cards, memory sticks and anti-fog for the lens
Binoculars
Day notes
WEDNESDAY
Today you head out with a group of Ba’aka net hunters as they go about their daily hunter-gatherer lifestyle. It is fascinating and a joy in itself to see how well adapted and comfortable the Ba’aka are in the forest. You will be shown several of their medicinal plants while the hunt goes along in the background, and the excited cheers will alert you if they do catch something.
Expert tips:
Please Note: The hunters are there to catch their food s please be aware that some animals may be killed during this activity.
Day notes
THURSDAY
Today's day is filled with river activities and trekking. Heading upriver by boat you will hike to a series of waterfalls in the area. These will take you through the best examples of prime rainforest that you would ever see. Apart from the amazingly beautiful waterfalls, you will see some of the most spectacular trees imaginable. Climbing to the top of the falls will provide vistas over the canopy of the forest while the possibility of seeing the extremely rare and endangered Grey-necked Rock fowl will excite any birders.
In the evening you may do a night walk near the lodge with the hope of finding some of the more elusive nocturnal animals such as Potto, Thomas’s Galago, Tree Pangolin, African Palm Civet, Frazer’s Eagle Owl, Vermiculated Fishing Owl and several more.
Day notes
FRIDAY
Head back into the park with picnic lunches and do a walk around a series of clearings in the forest. You will have a good chance of finding buffaloes, elephants, and several monkey species.
You will also visit a group of habituated monkeys called Agile Mangabey and can spend some time photographing their intriguing antics. This group of habituated monkeys has over 150 members and their fascinating behaviour is part of a long term study in the region.
Day notes
SATURDAY
You may wish to repeat one of the activities done earlier at Sangha Lodge, such as gorilla tracking or visits to the Dzanga-Bai,Birding, Butterfly Watching or alternatively just relaxing or walking on the several hikes you have laid out in the forest around the lodge.Alternatively, you can choose to do one of the multiple forest hikes around the lodge, or just relax.
Expert tips:
Please note; any additional activities done today will need to be paid for directly at the lodge in cash.
Excluded:
Additional activities:
- 2nd Gorilla tracking permit: EUR 261 (including park fees)
- Half day Dzanga Bai visit: EUR 121 (including park fees)
- Half day hike to the Valley of the trees: EUR 45
Day notes
SUNDAY
You may wish to repeat one of the activities done earlier at Sangha Lodge, such as gorilla tracking or visits to the Dzanga-Bai,Birding, Butterfly Watching or alternatively just relaxing or walking on the several hikes you have laid out in the forest around the lodge.Alternatively, you can choose to do one of the multiple forest hikes around the lodge, or just relax.
Expert tips:
Please note; any additional activities done today will need to be paid for directly at the lodge in cash.
Excluded:
Additional activities:
- 2nd Gorilla tracking permit: EUR 261 (including park fees)
- Half day Dzanga Bai visit: EUR 121 (including park fees)
- Half day hike to the Valley of the trees: EUR 45
Day notes
MONDAY
You may wish to repeat one of the activities done earlier at Sangha Lodge, such as gorilla tracking or visits to the Dzanga-Bai,Birding, Butterfly Watching or alternatively just relaxing or walking on the several hikes you have laid out in the forest around the lodge.Alternatively, you can choose to do one of the multiple forest hikes around the lodge, or just relax.
Expert tips:
Please note; any additional activities done today will need to be paid for directly at the lodge in cash.
Excluded:
Additional activities:
- 2nd Gorilla tracking permit: EUR 261 (including park fees)
- Half day Dzanga Bai visit: EUR 121 (including park fees)
- Half day hike to the Valley of the trees: EUR 45
Day notes
TUESDAY
You may wish to repeat one of the activities done earlier at Sangha Lodge, such as gorilla tracking or visits to the Dzanga-Bai,Birding, Butterfly Watching or alternatively just relaxing or walking on the several hikes you have laid out in the forest around the lodge.Alternatively, you can choose to do one of the multiple forest hikes around the lodge, or just relax.
Expert tips:
Please note; any additional activities done today will need to be paid for directly at the lodge in cash.
Excluded:
Additional activities:
- 2nd Gorilla tracking permit: EUR 261 (including park fees)
- Half day Dzanga Bai visit: EUR 121 (including park fees)
- Half day hike to the Valley of the trees: EUR 45
Day notes
WEDNESDAY
After breakfast, transfer back to Bayanga airstrip (20-30min drive) and take a shared charter flight back to Bangui M'Poko International Airport. Connect with your international flight home/ next destination.
End of your travels with Inspired Journeys.
Check-out from Sangha Lodge
Shared Transfer from Sangha Lodge to Bayanga Airport
Shared Transfer
Sangha Lodge
Bayanga Airport (Bayanga Airstrip)
Charter Flight from Bayanga Airport to Bangui M'Poko International Airport [BGF]
Charter Flight
Bayanga Airport
Bangui M'Poko International Airport [BGF]
Expert tips:
The charter flight is timed to connect with the Kenya Airways to Nairobi from Bangui M'Poko International Airport at 14h20.
Alternatively there is another Kenya Airways flight to Nairobi or Entebbe on Friday, if you wish to stay the 2 nights in Bangui.
Please indicate beforehand if you require Inspired Journeys to arrange accommodation in Bangui upon your return from Dzanga-Sangha.
Excluded:
- Accommodation in Bangui
- Transfers in Bangui
- Activities in Bangui
