Explore the Congo Basin

Radisson Blu
The Radisson Blu M’Bamou Palace Hotel is located less than 6km from the airport on the banks of the famous Congo River, within Brazzaville’s Central Business District.

One of the few international-standard hotels in Brazzaville, the Radisson offers 178 spacious and contemporary guest rooms, including suites and apartments which overlook the River, and a wide selection of on-site dining options.

On arrival in Odzala, you will be met and transferred to Ngaga Camp, (approx. 1½ hrs), where you stay the following four nights, inc. full board and activities.

Ngaga Camp
Ngaga Camp is located just outside the park boundary in the Ndzehe concession, overlooking a beautiful open glade above a forest stream. This places Ngaga directly within the overlapping home ranges of several family groups of western lowland gorilla, two of which are habituated and form the focus of game activities at this uniquely-positioned camp.

Ngaga Camp’s unique design reminds you of a treehouse. There are six very private elevated guest rooms with wraparound walkways that allow you to peer directly into the forest canopy.

The main boma, set at a higher level with views into the forest, has a comfortable lounge, fire pit and dining area.

The camp is constructed from natural materials using traditional techniques so as to blend in with the environment.

In the afternoon, you will have your first introduction to the forest on a guided walk, led by an experienced tracker. This will give you the chance to spot various birds, primates, and interesting insects and flora.

There are two habituated gorilla groups within reach of Ngaga Camp – Neptuno and Jupiter. Your tracker will be aware of the gorilla’s overnight location, so you should be able to find your group within around an hour, but of course it can take longer.

You will track the gorillas on foot from the camp. The terrain is mostly flat although you may have to cut a path through thick vegetation – your guide and tracker will lead.

Once you find your allocated group, you will have around an hour to observe them as they eat, play and socialise.

Although lowland gorillas are the main species you will search for today, other primates, such as crowned, putty nosed and moustached monkeys can also be encountered in the forest, while chimpanzees are often heard and very occasionally seen.

Various forest duikers occur as well as some spectacular forest birds, such as the seemingly pre-historic black-casqued wattled hornbill, the great blue turaco, and a host of others.

After an hour with the gorillas, return to camp for lunch. In the afternoon, you can enjoy another forest walk or, if preferred, relax at camp.

NB. For the gorilla trek, it is a good idea to wear long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt and light walking boots, which are easier to dry.

Again, you will have around an hour with the group once you have located them, before returning to camp for lunch.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to a local Ombo village. The village has around 40 inhabitants, whose houses straddle the ‘main’ road to Gabon. The villagers use the forest to gather food, and are well accustomed to their immediate neighbours, the western lowland gorillas!

Return to camp late afternoon.

Arrive at Mboko Camp in time for lunch, then continue your journey to Lango Camp via kayak along the beautiful Lekoli River. This is a great way to spot wildlife, as the kayaks allow you to move quietly without disturbing the more sensitive creatures of the forest.

After approximately an hour spent slowly drifting downstream, you will turn off the main river and onto a tributary, then shortly after drag the kayaks on to the shore.

From this point you will continue by foot, accompanied by your guide. The trail will be muddy initially, but once you reach the stream, walking becomes much easier along the stoney bed. This is one of the few places in Africa where you can safely explore streams and marshes on foot – a truly immersive experience!

Eventually, you will arrive at the bai, or open marsh area, in front of Lango Camp, your home for the next two nights. You’re unlikely to be the only creature to arrive from the marsh – the bai in front of Lango Camp is frequented by several species, including forest elephant! With luck, you may also spot forest hog, buffalo and duiker.

On arrival, enjoy a well-earned hot shower before settling down for supper.

Lango Camp
Lango Camp has six guest rooms, each raised to the level of the surrounding forest, granting stunning views out over the open marshy bai – one of the most beautiful views of any safari lodge in Africa. The bai attracts huge flocks of African green pigeons and grey parrots, as well as herds of forest buffalo by day and forest elephants by night.

Other (primarily nocturnal) visitors to the bai include bongo, leopard and red river hog. Western sitatunga and various forest duiker species can be encountered nearby, while guereza colobus monkeys are frequently seen in camp. Chimpanzees are often heard but rarely sighted.

You’ll begin by crossing the stream in front of the lodge and then enter the woods, emerging into an area of savannah. You then walk along more streams and finally appear back at the lodge.

Along the way you will encounter beautiful scenery and a variety of birds and wildlife. This area is completely untouched and the trails you follow are those which have been made by wildlife and not man.

Return to the lodge for a hot shower. The rest of the afternoon is free. You can enjoy another walk in the vicinity of camp, or try bird watching from the camp deck.

Enjoy a guided morning wet walk through the followed by breakfast overlooking the baï.

You then depart camp with a scenic through the forest followed by a short walk along a wooden footpath to Mboko Camp, where you stay tonight.

Mboko Camp
Mboko Camp has 12 very spacious en-suite guest rooms, which extend along the banks of a free-flowing tributary of the Lekoli River.

The lodge is situated in an area of lush meadow-like savannah, which is frequented by forest buffalo, forest elephant and spotted hyaena.

Each room has a deck with lounge chairs, where you can relax and listen to the tranquillity of the river while enjoying a spot of bird watching – you may even see a forest elephant!

Mboko provides spectacular star-gazing opportunities, while also offering easy access to the nearby river for various activities, including motorboat safaris and kayaking.

This afternoon, embark on a motorboat safari on the Mambili River. A river safari in this region offers the possibility of seeing primates including chimpanzee (sightings are rare), colobus and grey-cheeked mangabey, as well a variety of birdlife and other large mammals including forest elephant and buffalo. But it’s also an opportunity to chill and enjoy a sundowner as you quietly drift down the river and the sun begins to set.

On arrival, transfer to the international airport for your onward flight, or to the Radisson Blu Hotel if your flight schedule requires you to overnight in the city.

NEW for 2019 - Optional 4-night extension to Sangha Lodge, Central African Republic
Please see full itinerary for details on this exciting new extension.