Congo Gorillas Encounter and Louna National Park Safari

The Congo hosts more lowland and mountain gorillas than its neighbors Rwanda and Uganda, yet tourists wait for months to pay escalating prices to see them there. Encounter a gorilla face-to-face and see solitary males, silverback adults, and whole groups of infant baby gorillas in the forest! You'll also have more chances via a riverboat safari to see more animals and primate troops in the wild for a fraction of what you’d pay anywhere else!

See gorillas in Africa, a life-changing encounter with our earthly cousins that nobody ever forgets or walks away from the same. Have the additional chance (note this is very rare and not guaranteed) to see gorillas in the wild on a finger of the Congo River ecosystem, visit an orphanage and gorilla protection project on a protected territory of the jungle where gorillas can roam freely. 

This tour also visits all of the main attractions and cultural and historical landmarks of Brazzaville and great views of the twin cities of Kinshasa-Brazzaville, and (on request) artist collectives, sapeur groups, and art schools, and en route to Lefini view a tank graveyard where you can see towers of rusting war machines handed down from the Great African War.

NOTE: Visitors to the park directly fund and help protect the gorillas and their natural habitat. Tourism greatly helps upkeep and maintain the park facilities and conditions for the gorillas, and incentivize the local community to take care of them; you are helping an endangered species.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome

Welcome to Brazzaville, our representative will greet you at the airport, and courteously assist you to your hotel. After you comfortably check-in, decide on a fantastic evening tour with popular musicians and bar/cafe spots, or just enjoy a rest and refreshment after a briefing from the local guide.  Tonight overnight in a midrange hotel in Brazzaville.

Day 2: Brazzaville City Tour and Congo River Cruise and Malebo (Stanley) Pool Island Picnic

Kick of your day tour of Brazzaville with city sightseeing, cultural and historical introduction, and traditional Congolese food. Afternoon includes an overview of nearly every highlight in the city with the Congo River Rapids overlook, and a stop to stock up for your safari with any needed favorite meals, treats, drinks, and snacks. In the afternoon we take a cruise to a secluded island in the middle of the Congo River for a picnic and view of the twin capitals. In the evening enjoy dinner at a riverside restaurant overlooking Kinshasa, and the river traffic of the two capitals. Overnight at Brazzaville tourist hotel 

Day 3: Depart for Louna National Park

After breakfast, depart in the morning in a 4×4 for the north; visit the savannah and overlooks on the way) After lunch at the park safari lodge, visit a gorilla orphanage and drive further into the park to a natural crater lake far from civilization where you can relax and swim in the forest. - Lake Blue. Return for dinner and overnight at park safari lodge. 

Day 4: Gorilla Encounter

After breakfast, depart in the morning for a male solitary gorilla encounter. We will take you as close as possible without putting you in danger from the gorilla or the gorilla in danger of germs from tourists. In the afternoon take a boat ride deep into Louna NP where you have the chance to see many big African wildlife, thousands of birds and fish, and look for the biggest group of wild gorillas in Africa. Dinner and overnight at Park safari lodge. 

Day 5: Morning Park Viewing; Return to Brazzaville

After breakfast, enjoy a final day of exploring the rainforest and animal watching. Enjoy drives around the Savannah and Congolese forests. In the afternoon depart for Brazzaville and relax on your final night in the capital city. Overnight at Brazzaville tourist hotel. 

Day 6: Final Day - Departure

After breakfast at leisure and hotel check-out, relive the highlights of your expedition and stop at local markets for last minute gifts. Enjoy a casual drive through town before your transfer to the airport.

END OF SERVICES

Our overland tours include all transport, permits, entrance fees, taxes, 4x4 with a/c for the park and comfortable sedan with a/c for the city, and accommodation in safari-style lodges, villages, and tourist hotels (where applicable). Alcoholic drinks are extra. Congo Travel and Tours will arrange your visa facilitation upon purchase of a tour, and you must apply with our invitation letter at your nearest possible embassy.

*Please budget $50-75 per day for food for this tour. You will have a chance on day 2 to purchase and choose whatever you like for the safari. Complete cooking facilities are available in the camp. 
**Please bring mosquito repellant, flashlight, extra bed sheets or sleeping bag, sunscreen, and towels 

LOUNA'S GENERAL CONDITIONS

1 - MUST use an all terrain 4x4 car. 

2 - This tour is easiest booked at least 1-2 weeks in advance to enable us to validate your authorizations with a visit to the Ministry of the Forest Economy. Please note that late bookings may mean extra fees for you. WE do not control or own the park or the gorillas. Or the park staff. They do NOT work for us or for you. We need your cooperation, and you will have a great time! Please note there are a lot of tourists who try to go without doing their homework, and it is a very very bad idea.

3 - Prepare your foods and drinks - An equipped kitchen is put at your disposal - Free of charge.

4 - Pairs of binoculars can be useful in case you want to observe or distinguish the particular forms / signs of landscapes and animals

5 - The notion of time is imperative in this tour. Do not wing it. You need to be ready to follow the program and do not ask for customization or you may miss a lot of the best parts and receive no refund. You have been warned.

6 - The visit of the gorilla babies must be done before 16 hours 00 knowing that there is a break between 11:30 and 14:00

7 - You can picnic on the Blue Lake hut; Swimming is permitted !! :) Only for experienced swimmers, please parents note.

8 - There is a steep slope between the guard station of Mont Blanc and the Blue Lake (Attention because on both sides there are cliffs so take all the necessary precautions).

9 - At the blue lake, cars must park before the forest

10 - Bush fires are strictly forbidden. You will be deported from the country if you try to make a campfire.

11 - Strolls in the PLL Reserve without being accompanied by the guides are strictly prohibited. 

All visitors will have to take out their own insurance because the shall in no event be liable for any inconvenience during your stay in the Lésio-Louna Reserve.

- In case you need to be hosted within the park for research, please let us know. Last minute is not possible for that.

- Please let us know if you are staying as a couple or separate rooms. The costs are not the same.

Timing:

Brazzaville - Abio about 3 hours

Abio - Lac Bleu about 2 hours 

Blue Lake - Iboubikro about 20 minutes

Visit of adult gorillas: about 30 minutes, or according to the decision of the Guide

Visit of the young gorillas about 10 to 15 minutes, or according to the decision of the Guide

Duration of formalities at the Brazzaville office 10 to 15 minutes per group

Communication: Receiving call for visits between 8 am and 4 pm

Your reservation can not be confirmed until you make your payment.

We may at any time modify or cancel it in the event of non-compliance or delays.

In case of force majeure (death of a gorilla, visit of an official delegation, park's and infrastructure of the country logistical or administrative problems, etc.), a visit may be canceled.

In these conditions we will make the total reimbursement of the cost of the tour minus a fee of 20%.