50 gorillas, 1 safari + hope in Kunene + captive lion probe
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From our CEO – Simon Espley
Did you know?
Odzala-Kokoua NP (Congo-Brazzaville) is the most reliable of only a few places in the world where you can encounter both habituated and unhabituated gorillas?
What’s the difference? Some gorilla families have been habituated to meet small groups of tourists who pay for a trekking permit to spend time with them. Tourists trek in mountainous terrain to find these gorillas and wear masks during their one-hour encounter. On the other hand, it is possible to watch unhabituated gorillas and other wildlife such as forest elephants, forest buffaloes and bongos from an elevated covered tree house overlooking a forest clearing. For gorilla watching, there is no time limit to your stay; you can watch numerous gorillas as they come and go, there is no strenuous hiking involved, no masks to be worn and no trek permit payment.
A few weeks ago, one of our guests, a solo lady traveller, enjoyed both options and saw 50 western lowland gorillas in 14 days. She also saw chimpanzees, bongos, sitatungas, hyenas hunting red river hogs and plenty of forest elephants and forest buffaloes. There is no question in my mind that this is Africa’s most enticing safari offering right now, and that my team is best equipped to make this safari happen for travel connoisseurs. Email Stef to plan your gorilla odyssey.
Oh, just to remind you that Congo-Brazzaville is the small African country to the west of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The troubled region in the far east of DRC is more than 1,500km from Congo-Brazzaville, which is a peaceful and safe country to visit.
Simon Espley – CEO, Africa Geographic
Click to listen to this editorial online
From our Editor – Taryn van Jaarsveld
Some animals are so elusive they might as well be folklore, and the African striped weasel is one of them. A slinky little black-and-white ghost, it bounces across the veld in the dead of night, vanishing before most of us even realise it exists. Blink, and you’ll mistake this mysterious carnivore for a polecat. And rumour has it they hunt mole rats inside their tunnels – though we don’t know enough about them to be sure. In truth, most people will never lay eyes on an African striped weasel.
But this secretive carnivore is no myth. A new research project by PhD candidate Kyle Smith from the University of Pretoria aims to uncover how these little predators live, what they hunt, how they move, and where they persist. The biggest challenge? Simply finding them. That’s where citizen science comes in. Sightings, photos, GPS pins, even scat if you’re brave (or unlucky) enough to find it. So, if you’ve crossed paths with a striped shadow on four legs, now’s the time to speak up and report your experience.
This week’s stories take us from hard truths to hopeful horizons: a new study lays bare the risks of South Africa’s commercial lion farming industry, revealing its lack of conservation value, while in Namibia’s Kunene Region, long-awaited rains have brought renewal and fresh life to this remarkable desert landscape and its wildlife.
Did you know? Your African safari choice makes a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level. YOUR African safari choice does make a difference – thank you!
Our stories this week
KUNENE’S REVIVAL
Rains in Kunene spark hope: wildlife returns, communities rebuild, and conservancies lead recovery in this Namibian desert frontier
CAPTIVE LIONS
A new study of 160+ sources outlines the risks of South Africa’s commercial lion farming industry – warning it may fuel demand for lion body parts
Travel Desk – 2 African safari ideas
Bush & beach safari – 7 days – from ZAR62,790pps
This safari combines the adventure of a Big 5 Zululand safari with the warm waters and white sandy beaches of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. Expect 5-star treatment all the way. From a luxury tented camp in a riverine forest on the Msunduze River in Manyoni Private Game Reserve, to luxurious living in a chic boutique beach guest house, this safari is a real treat. Enjoy exciting game drives, spa treatments, delicious dining under the stars, ocean swimming, and snorkelling.
Ultimate Kafue safari – 7 days – from US$5,590pps
This safari visits central and northern Kafue National Park, Zambia – teeming with predators and vast herds of lechwe, buffalo and elephants. You’ll explore the Kafue River, vast stretches of river valleys, and the swampy floodplains of Busanga Plains, which are brimful with big cats, their prey, and prolific bird life. Enjoy daily guided activities, including game drives, walking safaris, and boating. Free return flights between Lusaka and Kafue are included!
Still dreaming of the ultimate African safari escape? Browse our safaris ideas here.
African safari: Our safari guests say…
AG safari guest Louise, from Australia, went on a magical and life-changing solo adventure to Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Congo-Brazzaville:
“I wanted to go to the Congo Basin, but it was difficult to find travel info. I made an enquiry to AG and the next day Stefan phoned me in Australia from South Africa. He understood exactly what I wanted and soon sent a proposed itinerary with no ties attached. Stef handled everything down to the smallest detail.
When I ran into difficulty boarding my flight to Congo, Stef had no hesitation in assisting me, even though I had organised my own flights…. He stayed with me through the stressful process until I was cleared to board… and once in Brazzaville, I was taken care of right there in the airport… and it was plain sailing from there.
My trip was beyond belief. All the camps I went to were so nice. Imbalanga was amazing for the forest treks and the baï that is only a three-minute walk from the camp…. I was lucky enough to see two different groups of gorillas and a troop of colobus monkeys. I went there a couple of times a day…. When the primates were there, they were there for hours….
I then went to the Kamba camps…. I went on two gorilla treks: both very different experiences. The first was adrenaline-charged as there was a rogue silverback hanging around the group, causing some drama. The second was a lot more chilled but very, very cute. Lots of young ones and one particularly cheeky blackback. My guides, Dylan and Ben, were amazing and knowledgeable. They did everything within their power to make sure I saw the wildlife without disturbing them. I saw more forest elephant than I ever imagined. I even saw some rare creatures, be it ever so fleeting, including chimpanzee, bongo, and sitatunga antelope…. It was just amazing to be in the forest or on the river. I have done quite a bit of travelling, but this was the best trip ever. Being in the forest is magical…. I have been asked where I want to go next but the truth is, I just want to go back. No disappointments – not one.”
Read Louise’s full review here.
Connect with us today, and let AG start planning your dream safari.
WATCH – AFRICAN SAFARI INSPIRATION:
Western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, bongos, dwarf crocodiles, huge flocks of grey parrots & green pigeons – and much more. Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the remote northwest of Congo-Brazzaville is covered in forests, rivers, marshes, and swamps, and is an integral part of the Congo Basin. The most distinctive characteristic of the Congo rainforest is the forest baïs – island clearings in the sea of trees. Here, marshy areas rich in minerals and salts attract a plethora of wildlife. Odzala-Kokoua is one of Africa’s oldest national parks and the ideal destination for lowland gorilla watching. (05:27) Click here to watch
For more videos celebrating Africa, check out our videos here
*Cover photo: Spotting western lowland gorillas in the forest baïs of Odzala-Kokoua National Park. Congo-Brazzaville. © Jonas Eriksson | African Parks
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