Congo Basin Discovery: Republic of Congo and Central African Republic

Gorilla tracking, safari, and outdoor adventure in the remote Congo Basin

This luxury Congo safari will bring you into pristine rainforest, deep in the heart of the Congo Basin. Along the way, you'll spend a week alternating between three innovative camps in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, plus enjoy a cruise down the Sangha River into the Central African Republic.

Twenty percent of the world’s remaining western lowland gorillas live in the Congo Basin. On this journey, you will engage with renowned primatologists, take part in two gorilla habituation exercises, hike to see wild chimpanzees, and explore unique ecosystems and wildlife on game drives and kayaking expeditions. At Sangha Lodge, venture out for a Dzanga Baï visit, Ba’Aka (pygmy) experience, waterfall hike, valley of the giants, sundowners on the river, and onsite interactions with pangolin researchers.

Round off your trip with a visit to Kinshasa’s unique Sapeurs, who take high fashion to the next level. This is also travel for good; your visit supports conservation efforts in the region.

Congo Basin Discovery: 13 days/12 nights

Congo Basin Discovery trip highlights

This 13-day fly-in luxury Congo safari begins with an overnight at the Radisson Blu in the capital city of Brazzaville, which has a thriving arts scene, great restaurants, and fabulously friendly locals.
Take a scheduled charter flight to Ngaga Camp in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, which was originally founded as a center for primate research. The team currently based here includes the primatologist Magdalena Bermejo, a world authority on the western lowland gorilla, and you’ll have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge.
Your next two mornings will begin with tracking gorillas in the early stages of habituation, a completely different experience to Rwanda or Uganda. Later in the afternoon, head out on a forest walk for bird watching, river sundowners, or a night walk to view nocturnal forest life.
Travel by road through Mbomo village to Mboko Camp, arriving in time for lunch, then kayak along the waterways before walking upstream to Lango Camp. Guided morning kayaks on the Lekoli River, dips in the Lango Bai, hikes, game drives, and forest walks are all incredible ways explore this teeming wildlife area.
Head by river cruise to Mboko Camp, set in an area frequented by forest elephant, forest buffalo, and spotted hyena, and abundant in flowers and butterflies (depending on the season). Head out on game drives, walk the adventure trails along the edge of the forest, and take in some of the most spectacular stargazing in the world.
Fly to Kabo and take the four-to-six-hour boat journey up the Sangha River to the Central African Republic. Sangha Lodge activities include Dzanga Baï visit, Ba’Aka (pygmy) experience, waterfall hike, interactions with onsite pangolin researchers, and more.
Return to Kabo by boat and a last activity at Mboko Camp.
You may need to spend one final night in Brazzaville before playing home. We highly recommend a tour to meet some of the fashion-obsessed Sapeurs of nearby Kinshasa.

Price

$19,500 per person sharing in 2024, plus a $13,545 access fee per group for flights/boat to Sangha.

Note: The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 16; children are unable to be accommodated on this itinerary.

Congo Basin Discovery on a map

Explore other itineraries