Loading search...
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
The Congo - Rainforest Wildlife of Africa's Hidden Heart
Tour Code: CNG01An 11-day holiday to the Republic of Congo in search of Western Lowland Gorillas and the other wildlife of this exciting and little-visited country.
£15,995 (Inc flights)
£14,995
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Summary
Republic of Congo, not to be confused with its much larger, volatile neighbour situated across the great Congo River, is a beautiful and peaceful former French colony. The country is little known and little explored, and with ecotourism in its infancy here, every visit is sure to be one of exciting discovery. After a flight from Brazzaville to the M’boko airstrip, we begin with a 3-night stay at Ngaga Camp, situated on the edge of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, where our primary focus will be Western Lowland Gorillas. Our next four nights are split between M’boko Camp, set in an area of lush, meadow-like savannah, frequented by Forest Buffalo and Forest Elephant, and Lango Camp which nestles within dense gallery forest overlooking Lango Bai. We’ll explore this little-known region by water, jeep and on foot before returning to Brazzaville for our flight home.
- Based in 3 delightful camps, well situated for exploring Odzala-Kokoua National Park
- Two opportunities to track Western Lowland Gorillas
- 11 diurnal primate species found in Odzala-Kokoua including Guereza Colobus
- Explore pristine rainforest with endemic wildlife
- Spectacular forest birds such as Great Blue Turaco & Congo Serpent-eagle
Grading
Grade B/C. Trails are often very wet and muddy underfoot., and we may sometimes leave trails completely, or choose to wade through streams, in search of wildlife. As such, the high heat and humidity and rough trails demand a good level of fitness from anyone wishing to join this tour. We expect to walk an average of 5 - 8 kilometres per day, but will also make use of boats and vehicles to maximise wildlife viewing.
Largely blanketed by equatorial rainforest, the Republic of Congo is little known and little explored. Distinct from the Democratic Republic of Congo, its more turbulent neighbour to the east, ‘The Congo’ — as it is also known — is set to become one of Africa’s finest wildlife destinations and every visit here is sure to be one of exciting discovery! On this new tour we will be based in the Odzala- Kokoua National Park, where pockets of savannah and scattered forest islands cover the landscape, dotted with ‘bais’, the damp, grassy clearings within the dense forest which are regularly visited by the local wildlife in search of water, minerals and abundant grazing.
After a flight from Brazzaville to the M’boko airstrip, we begin with a 3-night stay at Ngaga Camp, set in the heart of a towering Marantaceae forest, where our primary focus will be the Western Lowland Gorillas. In the hands of our expert guides, we have the opportunity to track two habituated families on foot, hoping for close views of these magnificent primates. Other species to look out for include Putty-nosed and Crowned Monkeys, Chimpanzee (more often heard than seen), Potto and Demidoff’s Galago.
Our next four nights are split between M’boko Camp, set in an area of lush, meadow-like savannah, frequented by Forest Buffalo and Forest Elephant, and the satellite Lango Camp which nestles within dense gallery forest overlooking Lango Bai. Eleven species of diurnal primate are found within the national park, with Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Guereza Colobus and Moustached Monkey all regularly seen. Nearly 450 species of bird have also been recorded in Odzala, and during our time here we hope to see a variety of these including Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Great Blue Turaco, Cassin’s Malimbe, Chocolate-backed Bee-eater and Congo Serpent-eagle. We will search for these on walks and drives, but as the forests here are drained by the Sangha, Mambili and mighty Congo Rivers, we will also take to the water to reach areas inaccessible by foot.
After seven days in this magnificent forest, it will all too soon be time to take our flight back to Brazzaville and from there on to London, with the sights and sounds of the glorious Congo rainforest remaining firmly imprinted in our memories for many years to come.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We stay in comfortable lodges / treehouse lodges, and a comfortable city hotel in Brazzaville. All have en suite facilities.
- Food:
All food is included except for lunches and dinners in Brazzaville.
Dates & Prices
2026
Array
(
[180] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 180
[parent_id] => 165
[level] => 2
[path] => tour-focus/birds
[title] => Birdwatching
[alias] => birds
[description] => Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
[params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/6wx9O1cRFQUm/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => Birds [note] => 02 [parent] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 165 [parent_id] => 1 [level] => 1 [path] => tour-focus [title] => Tour Focus [alias] => tour-focus [description] => [params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => [note] => ) ) [186] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 186 [parent_id] => 165 [level] => 2 [path] => tour-focus/mammals [title] => Mammal Watching [alias] => mammals [description] =>
Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
[params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/6wx9O1cRFQUm/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => Mammals [note] => 08 [parent] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 165 [parent_id] => 1 [level] => 1 [path] => tour-focus [title] => Tour Focus [alias] => tour-focus [description] => [params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => [note] => ) ) )
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
