12 Days - ODZALA & DZANGA BAI ~'Congo Basin Pioneer Adventure'

Republic of the Congo

Covered by endless swathes of pristine and moisture-laden rainforest sluiced by gushing rivers and plunging waterfalls, The Republic of Congo (also known as Congo-Brazzaville) is a prime adventure destination for the intrepid traveller seeking an authentic African escape. The country's lush wilderness known as the Congo Basin is "the planet's second lung", inhabited by western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants, buffalo, hippos, extremely rare bongo antelope, and other mammal species. Swim in crystal-clear rivers, kayaking and boating along winding waterways, and tread along forest paths to the soothing sound of monkeys and tropical birds. For a taste of local culture, the capital of Brazzaville is dubbed the 'Little Paris of Africa' and has an intriguing French culture, lively fabric markets, colourful architecture, and the Pierre de Brazzaville monument, one of the city's beautiful cathedrals.

Brazzaville

Days 1 - 2

Set on the banks of the mighty Congo River, overlooking the sprawling metropolis of Kinshasa across the river in the DRC, Brazzaville is a classic central African city and capital of the Republic of Congo. Brazzaville is by far the more appealing of these two neighbouring cities, with a thriving arts scene, great restaurants, vibrant nightlife, a fascinating colonial heritage, and some fabulously friendly locals. Visitors can look forward to relaxing on the city's scenic riverside embankment and exploring several colourful marketplaces, including a lovely candlelit night market. Must-see sights include the insightful national museum, the lush municipal gardens and the house constructed for Joseph Marie de Gaulle when the city served as the capital of Free France. Don't miss the striking Basilica of St Anne, one of the world's most beautiful modern churches.

Odzala Kokoua National Park

Days 2 - 4

Located in the heart of Africa, in the Cuvette-Ouest region of the Republic of Congo, the Odzala Kokoua National Park is renowned for its spectacular lowland gorillas. The park is comprised of the vast Congo Basin which contains the second-largest unspoilt biodiverse tropical rainforest in the world, which creates the ideal environment for these majestic creatures to thrive in. Visitors come to this park for an experience of a lifetime- catching a glimpse of the western lowland gorilla in the wild. Jump on a safari adventure and discover the stretches of open savannah, remote pristine rainforest, crystal clear streams, and a variety of unique birds and other wildlife.

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Odzala Kokoua National Park

Central African Republic

As its name suggests, the Central African Republic lies in the geographic heart of Africa. It is a country characterised by extreme contrasts and intriguing contradictions. In the bustling capital of Bangui, which retains its colonial aesthetic, traditional African tribes roam streets lined with grand imperial French architecture and classic French patisseries are interspersed with colourful traditional African markets. This diversity is equally apparent in the nation’s breathtakingly beautiful natural landscapes. While the northern reaches are dominated by the vast Sahara Desert the south boasts magnificent equatorial rainforests, which are widely regarded as Africa’s best destination for viewing forest elephant and western lowland gorilla. The Republic’s star tourist attraction is undoubtedly the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in the southwest, which is home to the world’s highest density of lowland gorillas, as well as an astonishing variety of butterflies and large forest-dwelling African wildlife.

Dzanga-Sangha Reserve

Days 4 - 11

Situated in the southwestern Central African Republic, the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve is a protected sanctuary home to some of the highest concentrations of forest elephants and lowland gorillas in Africa. This reserve is connected to the Lobeke Park in Cameroon, Dzanga Ndoki Park in the Central African Republic, and Nouabale Ndoki Park in the Congo. The area is internationally renowned for its beautiful rainforests, which hosts bongo antelopes, forest buffalos as well as other mammals, bird, tree and plant species. Aside from its spectacular wildlife, the area has a rich local culture, comprising the Sangha Sangha fishermen as well as the Ba'aka people. While staying in the area it is possible to experience their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

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Dzanga-Sangha Reserve

Republic of the Congo

Covered by endless swathes of pristine and moisture-laden rainforest sluiced by gushing rivers and plunging waterfalls, The Republic of Congo (also known as Congo-Brazzaville) is a prime adventure destination for the intrepid traveller seeking an authentic African escape. The country's lush wilderness known as the Congo Basin is "the planet's second lung", inhabited by western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants, buffalo, hippos, extremely rare bongo antelope, and other mammal species. Swim in crystal-clear rivers, kayaking and boating along winding waterways, and tread along forest paths to the soothing sound of monkeys and tropical birds. For a taste of local culture, the capital of Brazzaville is dubbed the 'Little Paris of Africa' and has an intriguing French culture, lively fabric markets, colourful architecture, and the Pierre de Brazzaville monument, one of the city's beautiful cathedrals.

Odzala Kokoua National Park

Days 11 - 12

As previously described

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Odzala Kokoua National Park
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