Congo Gorillas And Ultimate Jungle Safari
- Duration: 18 Days (approx.)
- Product code: roc-overland-7-en
Ranked as one of the top countries to visit in 2013 by the New York Times, this part of the Congo has become a fantasy destination for ecotourism. In the heart of the Congo Basin, is the world’s second largest tropical rain forest after the Amazon. It is home to continuous discoveries of healing plants, exclusive fruits and foods, and many more. This tour covers all of northern Congo up to the borders with Central African Republic and Cameroon, and takes in the best of the best this country has to offer. You will meet dozens of different tribes and stay in 5 different villages; some in the forest, some in the mountains, some on the river tributaries, and all with timeless traditions. Hike in jungles, and ride the Congo River past some of its most out-of-the-way and beautiful tributaries. See giant mountain gorillas, leopards, giraffes, chimpanzees, buffalo, elephants, hippos, and hundreds of species of birds and fish, as well as perhaps, some new ones. You will top it all off with Africa’s best food and music, on the “ultimate safari” hardly matched anywhere else on the continent.
This is the Africa most tours promise, but few can deliver anymore in the modern world. The area this tour visits are homes to hundreds of thousands of undocumented gorillas, dozens of tribes of pygmies, the largest snake ever recorded in history, hundreds of new species discovered by science a year, and yes - even a rumored species of giant dinosaur that eats elephants, living in the thick jungles of Lake Tele Reserve, nobody has ever been deep inside enough to find. This is as real as it gets. (Most locals can't even move or travel in the area!) And it's open for 2014.
*All tourists arrive in Brazzaville and are met and greeted by our company at the airport and transferred to the hotel
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome - Brazzaville City Tour and River-View Dinner
Peruse the path of the Great African explorers and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of Africa's tamest and most peaceful river city. You will see the memorial to Pierre de Brazza, great navigator and founder of the town. Enjoy the immense markets and great river life with a pirogue ride to gaze at mighty Kinshasa on the other side. Tour a field of rusting war machines and tanks from “Africa's World War” outside town, and relax at the perfect river-side restaurant for dinner and drinks, watching Congolese life go by. (D)
Day 2: Depart for Oyo
Today it's an early morning break for the hills! We roar out of town at 7am for the long drive north, through countless village and outposts along the road. We break for lunch and for sights along the way, and end at a tourist-class/business-class hotel in Ollombo for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Oyo Exploration
Today we talk to local families about issues facing the Congolese and the changes taking place in the region over the past years, in the region of Congo with the largest concentration of change and investment, a microcosm of the broader region and its future. Sample local food and see the construction of houses from jungle materials. You will visit a school, local home, and be treated to a traditional restaurant. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Drive to Ouésso, Overnight in Ouésso.
Nestled far in the northeast on the border with C.A.R is to the most spectacular part of Congo-Brazzaville, Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. After a long haul, we rest tonight in the town of Ouésso before setting off for the entrance and transfer into the park the next morning. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Departure for Bomassa (Nouabalé National Park - Ndoki)
After breakfast, depart on a morning departure for Bomassa by motorized canoe and secure route, with safety equipment and guide staff. There will be jungle trekking today as well to reach the base camp. Upon arrival at the camp of the park system, settle in rooms and briefing. At night enjoy a rustic dinner in the bush with rest, beers, and relaxation. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Mbeli Bai Exploration
The National Geographic Society has observed that this park may have the largest concentration of wildlife per square mile than any other place in Africa. Mbeli Bai is the most famed and important place to see them all, concentrated on a particular spot in the forest where lots of animals come to eat, socialize, and refresh. This is simply, and by all accounts, one of the best places to see wildlife in the whole world. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Mbeli Bai Exploration
There are a vast array and plethora of species living in this park. Mbeli Bai is a specific 13 ha area within the park which is particularly rich in gorillas, with 180 western lowland gorillas reported here as well as chimpanzees. It also contains many monkey species, nine of which have a population density of 50 per square km. The monkey species found here are the black-and–white and red Colobus, mustached and crowned Guenon, grey-cheeked Mangabeys, and many others.
The park plays host to over 300 different bird species. Some of the species to note are eagles, hawks, owls, scavenging vultures, wading herons, and parrots.
There are also the rare African Forest Elephants, dwarf forest buffalo, leopards, bongos, and blue duikers. Forest elephants create space by clearing the forest for other animals to move. Horned antelopes with 12 lb (5.4 kg) antlers number 100 per square km!
Crocodiles and blood-sucking insects are also part of the forest's species. Be careful! Listen to our guide, and bring DEET repellant!
According to a Pygmy legend, a Congo based long-necked reptile, known as Mokele-mbembo killed elephants with its huge frontal horn. There has ever since been a persistent and unsolved mystery and rumor of a dinosaur living in this vast jungle, hidden in a lost world.
Nature's strongholds: the world's great wildlife reserves by Princeton University Press lists Ndoki park as one of the absolute best and most dense wildlife watching spots on Earth. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Mondika Triangle Exploration
After breakfast, take a morning departure for Mondika and observation of animals: There are many more to see! (B, L, D)
Note: Tourists will be able to touch and play with gorillas, as Mondika is home to a habituated group of Western Lowland Gorillas - 'Kingo's" group (tracking). However, it is not 100% advisable due to health concerns, and we do not like to pose the risk of disease transmission from humans to gorillas, and advocate protecting them by keeping a safe distance. Overnight in Mondika.
Day 9: Return Loop to Pokola
We'll be making our way back via the guard station, park entrance, through the town of Bomassa, and on to Pokola, to be there in time for departure farther into the interior, east towards Lake Tele. Overnight at Pokola.
Day 10: The Long Rainforest Route to Epena
Today is the longest travel day of the trip, through largely untravelled interior, towards the land of the pygmies and the thickest jungles.
-Pokola to Boua by car (3h);
-Boua to Matoko by piroque (around 8h):
-Matoko to Epéna by car (15 min)
Settle in, dinner, and overnight at Epéna. You've never felt so far from home!
Day 11: Getting into the Reserve
After a breakfast and a good sleep, head to the ministry office to get the permit to go to Lac Télé. 3 days of interior expedition in the wilderness are ahead of you. Pickup your tents and gear here with our liaison. Next take the scenic piroque from Epéna to Bowa. Tonight you'll sleep in Bowa ("Bouwa"), a village near the lake, gaping before you like an immense "Heart of Darkness." more immense than Conrad's. This is one of the least explored, least visited places on our planet. Certainly in Africa. Congratulate yourself for making it!
Day 12: Lake Tele
Tourists, along with our guide and team, and unlimited access to a pirogue (boat), can walk, hike, and explore the lake and wilderness around Lac Télé, and sleep there tonight.
Day 13: Lake Tele
Tourists, along with our guide and team, and unlimited access to a pirogue (boat), can walk, hike, and explore the lake and wilderness around Lac Télé, and sleep there tonight.
Day 14: Lake Tele
Arrival in Bowa around noon; Piroque from Bouwa to Epéna, Settle in, grab a few beers and come back into touch with other human civilization (mostly pygmies live in this area,) and overnight in Epéna.
Day 15: Getting Back to Civilization
Today we start from Epéna to Impfondo, where we will sleep tonight. For security and planning, we have allowed an extra day to explore Impfondo. In case of road delay or unforeseen circumstances (which are rampant in this part of Congo,) you will be in good shape to catch your flight.
Day 16: Day Off! - You've Earned It.
Today is our low-key buffer day at Impfondo. Relax, rest, grab some beers, meet the locals, and relive the high points of the most intrepid safari in Africa and of your life!
Day 17: Back to Brazzaville
Today you fly triumphant back to Brazzaville. Our guide will deposit you comfortably at Hotel Africa, where you can catch up on internet, celebrate your last night with some vivid Congo nightlife, or otherwise relax.
Flight schedule:
Air Congo
Brazza – Impfondo and Impfondo – Brazza
Tuesday and Saturday
Canada Air Congo
Brazza – Impfondo and Impfondo – Brazza
Monday
Day 18: Final Day - Departure
After breakfast 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. (B)
Price: $9,659 per person on double basis. (With a minimum of 2 people)
Our overland tours include all insurance, transport, food, permits, entrance fees, taxes, 4x4 with a/c, 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.
Note* This tour is not possible due to rain from June to October