See Another Africa - Central Africa #1:

Central African Lowland Gorillas & Forest Elephants x 12 nights

Facts:

• Departing from: Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
• Transport: by air, motorized pirogue, and private 4 x 4 vehicle
• Accommodation: three star hotels; local hotels; research camps; simple tourist lodge. Camps in ROC's Nouabale-Ndoki National Park have limited room for guests, in some cases only four at a time.
• Adventure meter: off the meter
• Suitable for: adventurers; the physically fit; those prepared to rough it.
• When to go: You can visit the habituated gorillas all year round, and elephants collect at Dzanga Bai daily, but there are better times than others to visit. July through November, the rainy season just above the equator, is when river levels are high and it is easier to get around by pirogue.
• Watch for it: currently, I escort this tour of no more than six participants (and ideally less) every October.

Summary:

This tour focuses on the only two habituated groups of western lowland gorillas in the world, as well as on Africa’s highest densities of forest elephants. It is a true adventure and unique wildlife experience—only a handful of visitors make it to Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo and Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in the Central African Republic. Conservationist J Michael Fay, who pioneered conservation efforts in this remote area, has said that there are few places left which are truly wild. He counts the Congo Basin parks among them. It is a tour which also brings you the closest to understanding the complex, tenuous and costly process of wildlife conservation. Although some of the most rewarding travel you might ever undertake, Central Africa does not make for easy travel. You must be physically fit and understanding of problems which can arise where tourist infrastructure is poor or non-existent.

Program:

Day One: Arrival Brazzaville: Transfer to three or four star hotel for overnight.

Day Two: Fly Brazzaville – Ouesso in northern Republic of Congo. Transfer via pirogue to Bomassa, NNNP headquarters for overnight.

Day Three: Transfer to Mbeli Camp via pirogue. Afternoon at the observation platform. Overnight at Mbeli Camp.

Day Four: Full day at Mbeli Bai observation tower. Overnight at Mbeli.

Day Five: Transfer to Mondika Camp via pirogue and on foot. Afternoon in camp. Overnight Mondika Camp.

Day Six: Gorilla treks at Mondika. Overnight.

Day Seven: Return to Bomassa for lunch. Transfer via pirogue to Lidjombo, Central African Republic border post for immigration formalities. Transfer Lidjombo to Banyanga, DNNP headquarters either by pirogue or by 4 X 4. Overnight Doli Lodge or Sangha Lodge.

Day Eight: Full day at Dzanga Bai observation tower. Overnight Doli/Sangha Lodge.

Day Nine: Gorilla treks morning and afternoon at Bai Houkou. While two people see gorillas, the other two see habituated mangabeys; after lunch, they switch. Overnight Doli/Sangha Lodge.

Day Ten: Traditional net hunting with the Ba’Aka people, the pygmies of Central Africa and the men employed as gorilla trackers in the parks. Return to Bomassa, ROC park headquarters, for overnight in order to simplify the last day's travel downriver to Ouesso.

Day Eleven: Return to Ouesso for dinner and overnight in simple but adequate hotel.

Day Twelve: Fly Ouesso to Brazzaville for a midday to early afternoon arrival. Transfer to three or four star Brazzaville hotel or depart on Air France that evening.

Important note

Itinerary is subject to vary slightly since it is dependent upon airline schedules Brazzaville – Ouesso – Brazzaville, which are subject to change or cease without notice. It is possible to go by 4 x 4 from Brazzaville to Ouesso thereby eliminating some of the problems attached to flights in the ROC. This road route should only be undertaken by hardy travelers.

Price: estimated $7200.00 USD pp, based on two people sharing; 5500 USd pp, based on eight participants. Single supplement of approximately 500 USD can be requested but is not guaranteed. Includes: internal air ticket (Brazzaville–Ouesso–Brazzaville);ground transportation and transfers; boat rides (Ouesso–Bomassa–Bayanga–Bomassa–Ouesso);all food and accommodation upon arrival in BZV; one night accommodation in Brazzaville (at tour commencement); one gorilla tracking permit per national park; one mangabey tracking permit (DNNP); two Bai walk (DNNP); net hunting with Ba’Aka (DNNP). Excludes: gratuity payment of 150.00 USD payable at the start of the tour; international flights; visas to ROC and CAR. Extra nights accommodation in Brazzaville can be arranged at additional cost as can guided city tours and dinner meetings with professionals working in wildlife conservation in Central Africa.