Safari in Odzala Kokoua

tropical forests of incredible biodiversity

Set in the remote north of Congo, Odzala Kokoua is a substantial national park, the best location in Africa for viewing lowland gorillas, plus other rare and unusual wildlife including bongos and forest elephants.

One of Africa’s oldest parks, Odzala-Kokoua was initially protected in 1935. It now covers 13500 square kilometres (5200 square miles) and is managed by the prominent non-governmental organisation, African Parks.

The reserve is an important part of the world’s second-largest rainforest, containing several different ecosystems, including wet forests, dry forests and savannas. The area also contains significant escarpments and the forest is dotted with small clearings, known as bais, where the wildlife tends to gather.

The area’s extraordinary biodiversity includes 4500 plant species, 100 mammal species, 440 bird species and many different types of reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects.

Since around 2005, a great deal of work has been carried out to recover the reserve from heavy poaching and other degradation. The reserve is now in a good state, with excellent integration with the local community, which benefits directly from conservation jobs and other revenues derived from the small flow of visitors.

Odzala-Kokoua is particularly known for the extraordinary number of primate species that live here. As well as lowland gorillas, there are chimpanzees, Angolan talapoins, Tana River mangabeys, moustached guenons, De Brazza’s monkeys, crested mona monkeys and mantled guerezas.

Other prominent mammals include forest elephants, bongo antelopes, buffaloes, forest hogs, sitatunga antelopes, hippos, dwarf forest crocodiles and slender-snouted crocodiles. More elusive sightings include leopards, spotted hyenas, servals and African golden cats.

The birding is prodigious, with over 430 recorded species, including Congo serpent eagles, white crested tiger-herons, black dwarf hornbills and lyre-tailed honeyguides.

It should come as no surprise that, in such extremely remote and cutting edge locations, trips are inherently very expensive. You may need to buy into the importance of the conservation efforts in this area, before you can justify the costs.

The usual stay duration in Odzala-Kokoua is 6-9 nights, usually split between two or three camps.

Seasonality

In Odzala-Kokoua, the very rainy tropical conditions are always challenging, but the two windows of Jan-Mar and Jun-Sep can be significantly drier, making for easier conditions underfoot.

Getting there

Access to Odzala-Kokoua is via a two hour shared charter flight from the capital, Brazzaville.

It is possible to drive in, but it is a very arduous journey of at least one long day.

Where to stay

The reserve contains three very good camps, all under the same ownership. Most guests combine nights in two or even all three of the camps over around 6-10 nights, in order to gain access to all the various ecosystems.

Activities

Activities are exactly that, active. You do need to be in pretty good shape to get the most out of a trip.

The primary activity is gorilla tracking, which is largely operated out of Ngaga Camp.

Other activities include forest hikes, river wading, motorboat safari and some limited vehicle safari in the savanna areas. It may also be possible to visit some of the local communities that live on the border of the reserve.

visitors need to be in good shape