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Lowland gorillas in Odzala-Kokoua National Park
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE
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Join us to find western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, forest buffalos, bongos, dwarf crocodiles, huge flocks of grey parrots and green pigeons, and other iconic wildlife species that roam the forests, baïs and rivers of Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the remote northwest of the Republic of Congo-Brazzaville
🎥 WATCH THIS informative video about Odzala-Kokoua National Park
🎥 WATCH THIS video about Camp Imbalanga
(Ukuri is an Africa Geographic group company)
Western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, bongos, dwarf crocodiles and huge flocks of grey parrots and green pigeons - AND MUCH MORE
Overview
Length: 8 days / 7 nights
Group Size: Up to 8 guests
Location: Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo-Brazzaville
Departure Dates: To suit you
Lodges visited: Radisson Blu M'Bamou Palace Hotel + Camp Imbalanga
Highlights
Viewing unhabituated lowland gorillas - a truly authentic experience
Visit baïs to view wildlife from an elevated covered tree house. A baï is a swampy clearing in the forest where wildlife gathers to drink and ingest mineral-rich soil. This is the best way to observe secretive species such as forest elephants, forest buffaloes, bongos, and gorillas. Gorilla families regularly visit Imbalanga Baï - a 3-minute walk from the lodge
Nature hikes - including spotting lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and other primates such as Demidoff’s galago, grey-cheeked mangabey, moustached monkey, crowned monkey, agile mangabey, De Brazza’s monkey, putty-nosed monkey and Guereza colobus. See the full mammal list under Resources below
River cruises on the Mambili and Lokoué rivers (Congo River tributaries) to find birds, primates and crocodiles
The bird species tally of over 440 includes delights such as Hartlaub's duck, Nkulengu rail, spot-breasted ibis, Congo serpent eagle, long-tailed hawk, vermiculated fishing owl, bare-cheeked trogon, white-crested hornbill, chocolate-backed kingfisher, lyre-tailed honeyguide, African piculet, grey parrot, African pitta, rufous-bellied helmetshrike and western bluebill. See the full bird list under Resources below
Prices and dates
Lodges visited: Radisson Blu M'Bamou Palace Hotel + Camp Imbalanga
2024-2025 Rates - 8 days / 7 nights | ||
Number of travellers in your group | INTERNATIONAL | AFRICA RESIDENTS |
1 | US$5,795 | US$4,230 |
2 | US$4,390 per person sharing | US$2,825 per person sharing |
3 | US$4,070 per person sharing | US$2,730 per person sharing |
4 | US$3,910 per person sharing | US$2,345 per person sharing |
Single supplement | US$450 | US$450 |
Includes:
Maya Maya Airport, Brazzaville, meet-and-greet and return airport transfers
2 nights' accommodation at Radisson Blu M'Bamou Palace Hotel in Brazzaville on a bed-and-breakfast basis
Transfers to and from Camp Imbalanga, Odzala-Kokoua
5 nights' accommodation at Camp Imbalanga on a full-board basis
Activities as described
24/7 Office support
Excludes:
International flights, unless otherwise stated
Airport departure tax, if applicable
Excess weight charges for luggage
Visa or entry permits
Telephone calls
Travel, cancellation, and medical insurance (recommended for safaris)
Optional safari extensions and unspecified activities
Personal expenses and any charges not specified in the itinerary
Tips and gratuities
Lunches, dinners and non-buffet drinks at Radisson Blu and lunch stops in the town of Oyo on days 2 and 7
Odzala-Kokoua - a gorilla safari like no other!
This is the ideal safari for those willing to go beyond the safari norm to explore remote areas off the beaten path.
Much of your wildlife viewing time will be spent at the baïs and on the rivers that define Odzala-Kokoua. The baïs (open clearings) offer a glimpse beyond the ‘green curtain’ of the dense rainforest as various mammal and bird species regularly visit to access water, minerals and salts, sedges and grasses. The Mambili and Lokoué rivers twist through the park, eventually flowing into the great Congo River - one of the longest rivers in the world.
Camp Imbalanga
Camp Imbalanga is a fully catered tented lodge featuring four ensuite canvas chalets for eight guests. Nestled under the shady canopy of enormous trees, the ensuite guest chalets – discreetly positioned for privacy – are a short walk along forest paths from the central area. Each is on a raised wooden deck and shelters under a palm frond roof. The central area, also on a raised wooden deck, features an airy dining room, lounge, kitchen area, small shop and firepit.
The unfenced forest camp is three minutes along a walkway from Imbalanga Baï, one of many baïs in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, where guests can view secretive wildlife species such as western lowland gorillas and forest elephants.
Camp Imbalanga is for those seeking a truly immersive experience powered by local people.
Meals
Meals are light yet filling, emphasising vegetarian and fish dishes. The cuisine is best described as Congolese fare with a sophisticated urban twist. Several dishes are prepared the traditional way – wrapped in leaves. The main starch is manioc (cassava), to which is added sweet potato, various vegetables, fish, fruit, freshly baked breads and dips made of ground nuts (peanuts), spinach and smoked barbel (catfish). Barbel wrapped in leaves and roasted over open coals is a heavenly local dish, and an indigenous fruit called ‘safou’ from the African pear tree makes for a refreshing accompaniment. Safou has an intriguing taste blend reminiscent of avocado and lemon, with an avo texture.
Resources
READ this trip report from our CEO
iNaturalist sightings in Odzala-Kokoua
Read the day-by-day itinerary below to grasp the awesomeness of this experience!
Itinerary
Our representative will meet you at Maya Maya Airport, Brazzaville, and transport you to your overnight hotel - the Radisson Blu M'Bamou Palace Hotel. Welcome to your first taste of Brazzaville - the bustling vibrancy of city life. If you arrive a day or so earlier, we can arrange a city tour, Congo River cruise or the wonderful Sapeur cultural experience - fashion and dancing in the streets. The streets near your hotel are safe for an evening or daytime stroll.
Please remember to use an ATM or foreign exchange bureau at the airport, in Brazzaville, or at your hotel to withdraw the local currency (Central African Franc—CFA). Except for hotels geared towards international visitors, very few shops use credit card machines, and even fewer accept foreign currency. Also, download a translation app such as Google Translate for offline access to French - this will be useful for the entire trip.
Your driver will advise you of the departure time of your transfer to Odzala-Kokoua National Park tomorrow morning.
After freshening up, make your way to the poolside terrace for drinks (local beers are delicious) and dinner (try locally caught fish dishes) while overlooking the great Congo River, with Kinshasha (Dem Rep Congo - DRC) on the other bank. If you have the time, wander down to the riverbank for a spot of bird-watching (there are some specials lurking in those reeds) and watch fishermen paddle past in their wooden boats.
Be sure to be up early to enjoy a relaxed breakfast on the terrace before meeting your driver. The Radisson Blu buffet and coffee are delicious, and the view is spectacular. Be sure to take a few takeaway pastries and other snacks for your road trip. Your driver will meet you at the allotted time, fully stocked with water for the journey (but he will not provide snacks).
The journey north to Odzala-Kokoua National Park takes about nine to ten hours along a good tar road, including a stop in an impressive town called Oyo at Les Jardins d’El restaurant. Your late-morning brunch (for your own account) could include nostril-quivering coffee and delicious pain au chocolat - or a more substantial meal of your choice. You will also stop a few times if you encounter forest elephants or gorillas on the roadside.
You will arrive at Camp Imbalanga in the late afternoon - in time to freshen up and maybe visit the nearby Imbalanga Baï - a three-minute walk along a forest trail and wooden walkway. This is a popular spot for gorillas, red-fronted duikers and many bird species.
After sundowner drinks, snacks and a delicious meal, your first night in Odzala-Kokoua National Park will be much like the subsequent nights – a mix of hoots, whistles, sighs and screams to lull you to sleep.
The next four days will be spent exploring the forest trails, rivers, and baïs of Odzala-Kokoua National Park - on foot, in a game-drive vehicle, by boat, and from elevated wooden tree houses. Between these epic new experiences, you could lounge in the guest area or relax at your elevated canvas chalet.
Your activities - accompanied by a trained eco-guide - are described in the HIGHLIGHTS section above. Also, read this travel diary to get a feel for this wonderful safari.
Be sure to take a small bag for your essentials - sunscreen, waterproof top, hat, sunglasses, binoculars & camera, insect repellant and a bottle of water (provided by the lodge). Your guide will carry snacks and extra water. Walking distances are not great, so running shoes are sufficient. It can rain at any time, so ensure that you always have rain gear and protection for your camera gear.
After an early wake-up and delicious breakfast with freshly brewed coffee, you will meet your driver for the return trip back to Brazzaville. The awesome Camp Imbalanga kitchen crew will pack a bag of snacks for the road, and again, your driver will provide water.
The nine to ten-hour drive will again take you via Oyo for a later morning lunch, and you will arrive at Radisson Blu in Brazzaville in the late afternoon. There will be time to freshen up and grab a drink on the terrace before another delicious dinner with a view and your final night in Congo-Brazzaville.
The final day of your epic safari in Congo-Brazzaville has dawned - your last breakfast with a view over the mighty Congo River. Your driver will collect you at your hotel in time for your outbound flight. Safe travels, see you again soon!
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Lowland gorillas in Odzala-Kokoua National Park
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