Congo Basin: Odzala Discovery

Congo Basin: Odzala Discovery – 10 Days

Prices From £11,907pp
Year round | 9 nights

Congo Basin: Odzala Discovery – 10 Days

Answer the call of the Congo on this compact yet exhilarating journey into the wild heart of Central Africa. Starting in Brazzaville, the colourful, culture-rich capital of the Republic of Congo, you’ll soon find yourself deep in the lush, untamed landscapes of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, part of the vast and biodiverse Congo Basin.

Over 10 unforgettable days, this express itinerary offers a snapshot of one of the world’s last truly wild places. Track endangered Western Lowland Gorillas in the remote forests of the Ndzehi Concession, walk barefoot through the surreal landscapes of Lango Baï, and explore the savanna-fringed waterways of Mboko. With expert guides by your side, you’ll experience close-up encounters with wildlife, gain insight into vital conservation work, and soak up the raw beauty of this extraordinary ecosystem. And with an included Sapeurs tour in vibrant Brazzaville, this is certain to be a journey that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Prices shown are per person, based on two people sharing on departures between 24th September and 15th December. The USD rate for these departures is $15,240 USD.

Alternative departure dates are priced from $15,990 USD per person.

Special Family Rates – major discounts - prices on request.
Attractive Single Occupancy rates available on request.

Highlights

  • Experience the vibrant capital of Brazzaville with an included Sapeurs of Brazzaville excursion
  • Discover 3 different areas within the remarkable Odzala-Kokoua National Park
  • Embark on 2 unforgettable gorilla tracking experiences in the Ndzehi Concession, one of few places in the world where these magnificent animals can be sighted
  • Spot other iconic African wildlife including spotted hyenas, elephants, buffalo, hippos, monkeys and the elusive antelope
  • Benefit of Expert Wildlife Guides travelling with you throughout your wilderness experience
  • Enjoy immersive daytime and nocturnal forest walks accompanied by expert conservation-focused guides
  • Trek barefoot through the Lango Baï wetlands for an immersive nature experience 
  • Explore the Lékéni River by boat and take a memorable kayak safari
  • Savour sundowners in breathtaking wilderness settings
  • Excellent birdwatching across varied habitats, from wetlands to forests
  • Stay in 3 unique eco-lodges, each offering a distinct ecosystem and experience

What's Included

  • Scheduled return flights between Brazzaville and Odzala
  • 2 Gorilla Tracking Permits
  • 3 Nights at Ngaga Lodge on an all-inclusive basis with all meals & drinks included
  • 3 Nights at Lango Lodge on an all-inclusive basis with all meals & drinks included
  • 1 Night at Mboko Lodge on an all-inclusive basis with all meals & drinks included
  • 2 Nights at Hilton, Brazzaville on a B&B basis
  • All activities as described in the itinerary, with expert guides
  • All transfers between lodges
  • "Sapeurs of Brazzaville" experience

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Brazzaville - Arrive
1Day

Brazzaville - Arrive

Your adventure in the Republic of Congo begins in the colourful capital of Brazzaville, a city alive with rhythm, culture, and warmth. Your itinerary includes an overnight stay here tonight, allowing you to sample some of the city’s many treasures, browse its lively markets, sample local cuisine in friendly restaurants, and explore its historic quarters. We have also arranged a memorable ‘Sapeurs of Brazzaville’ excursion for you today. This experience will introduce you to the subculture of “dandies” in Brazzaville, whose colourful outfits are considered part of Congolese cultural heritage. Members originate from all walks of life and levels of society, and observe rules of elegance and style in their daily lives, and particularly when they parade, dance, and walk the town in their elaborate costumes. This is sure to be a wonderful experience and a “must-do” when in Brazzaville.

Accommodation: 1 night at The Hilton, Brazzaville on a B&B basis

Brazzaville to Odzala-Kokoua National Park
2Day

Brazzaville to Odzala-Kokoua National Park

Today, you’ll board a two-hour private charter flight bound for the Mboko airstrip, gateway to the wild heart of Odzala-Kokoua National Park. From there, your journey continues with a guided safari drive lasting 2 to 3 hours, revealing glimpses of the park’s diverse ecosystems as you travel toward the secluded Ngaga Lodge, nestled in the Ndzehi Concession.

Once you’ve arrived and settled in, your evening brings a warm welcome around the firepit, where your expert guide will provide a preview of what’s to come, including details of the region’s pioneering conservation work and what to expect during your gorilla tracking expeditions. Then it’s time to turn in for the night, ready for the early start that awaits you in the morning rainforest.

Accommodation: 3 nights at Ngaga Lodge on an all-inclusive basis with all meals, drinks and guided activities included.

Activities: 2 Gorilla Tracks with Permits | Conservation Walk | Guided Day & Night Forest Walks

Ndzehi Concession
3 - 4Days

Ndzehi Concession

Spend two unforgettable days immersed in the pristine rainforest of the Ndzehi Concession, home to one of the world’s most important Western Lowland Gorilla populations. Based at the beautifully remote Ngaga Lodge, you'll explore a landscape shaped by decades of conservation work and primate research.

Over the course of your stay, you’ll set out on two guided gorilla tracking excursions, each offering a rare opportunity to observe these powerful creatures in their natural environment. Led by experienced guides and Forest Guardians, you'll venture on foot through dense forest just after dawn, following trails used by gorilla families as they forage and interact.

Each tracking experience varies in duration and can be anywhere from 2 to 7 hours depending on the gorillas’ movements, covering 1 to 8 kilometres of terrain. Once located, you’ll spend up to an hour quietly observing the group, a limit set to ensure their well-being. Group sizes are kept small (just four guests plus guide and tracker), and all tracking is conducted with the utmost care and respect, guided by the Forest Guardians who help protect these forests from poaching and other threats.

When you're not gorilla tracking, enjoy guided forest walks, relax at the lodge, savour memorable sundowners, or learn more about the region’s protection strategies on a conservation walk with a Forest Guardian. These days offer a deep and meaningful connection to one of Africa’s last wild frontiers.

Transfer to Lango Baï
5Day

Transfer to Lango Baï

After a final morning walk through the rainforest near Ngaga Lodge, your journey continues into a new and equally captivating landscape. A 2-hour scenic drive brings you to Mboko Lodge, where a leisurely lunch awaits. Then, take to the water for a peaceful kayak safari along the Lekoli River. As you glide through this tranquil waterway, keep watch for wildlife like forest elephants, buffalo, primates, and an array of bird species often reveal themselves along the banks.

The adventure deepens as you go barefoot through the soft, marshy terrain of Lango Baï. This immersive walk offers a rare connection with the environment, heightening your sense of place as you approach the lodge. You’ll reach Lango Lodge in time to relax with a sundowner and dinner overlooking the wild expanse of the baï, offering an unforgettable arrival at your new base for the next three nights.

Accommodation: 3 nights at Lango Lodge on an all-inclusive basis with all meals, drinks and guided activities included.

Activities: Bird Watching | Baï Walks | Guided Forest Walks | Sundowners

Explore Lango
6 - 7Days

Explore Lango

Over the next two days, fully immerse yourself in the wild and unspoiled landscapes surrounding Lango Lodge and the nearby Lango Baï, offering a very different setting from what you’ve experienced so far in Odzala-Kokoua National Park. This part of your journey is all about raw, hands-on connection with nature. Walk in the footsteps of forest elephants along winding trails that cut through streams, baïs, and dense jungle. Wade barefoot through the Lekoli River or opt for a drier forest trek, each step revealing something new about this magical ecosystem.

As you explore, keep watch for the wildlife that calls this region home including forest buffalo grazing near the baï, vibrant flocks of green pigeons in the treetops, and perhaps even a rare glimpse of the shy bongo or forest elephant. Your time here will include a mix of guided short and longer walks, offering deeper insight into the area’s ecology, wildlife, and cultural heritage. These are days for exploration, discovery, and unforgettable moments in one of Africa’s most pristine environments.

Transfer to Mboko
8Day

Transfer to Mboko

Following an early morning safari and a final breakfast at the lodge, your journey continues as you make your way to the next stop of this unforgettable adventure. A stroll along a raised wooden boardwalk through the wetlands leads you to your driver, where a scenic game drive becomes your transfer through the heart of the park.

Soon, you’ll arrive at Mboko Lodge, a stunning retreat set at the edge where forest blends into open savanna. After a relaxed lunch, the afternoon is yours to shape. Set off on a guided forest walk to discover the surrounding wilderness, or simply unwind on the river deck as the sounds of nature surround you. Later, a gentle boat cruise down the winding Lékéni River offers a perfect end to the day, with opportunities to spot wildlife and soak in the serenity of the Congo Basin.

Accommodation: 1 night at Mboko Lodge on an all-inclusive basis with all meals, drinks and guided activities included

Activities: Guided Forest Walks | River Cruises

Back to Brazzaville
9 - 10Days

Back to Brazzaville

As your Republic of Congo safari trip draws to a close, there’s time for one last adventure as you take a game drive through the savanna to the Mboko airstrip for your included private flight back to Brazzaville. Upon arrival in Brazzaville, a transfer will be provided to the Hilton Hotel for your included overnight stay.

The following morning, your itinerary will come to an end, and it will be time to check out and head to the airport for your onward or homeward flights. Should you wish to extend your stay in Brazzaville, we will be happy to arrange this for you.

Accommodation: 1 night at The Hilton, Brazzaville on a B&B basis

A view from Above

Accommodation Options

Ngaga Lodge, Odzala-Kokoua

Tucked deep within the untouched Ndzehi Forest on the edge of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Ngaga Lodge is a secluded sanctuary offering rare access to one of Africa’s last truly wild places. Here, guests can join seasoned researchers in tracking habituated groups of Western Lowland Gorillas, discovering a world where humans are merely quiet observers. This is more than a safari. It’s a deeply immersive experience into a thriving, ancient ecosystem where every sound and shadow tells a story.

Ngaga’s six forest-view bungalows, elevated above the forest floor, are crafted from natural, locally sourced materials and offer excellent comfort without compromising on sustainability. Between guided gorilla treks and night walks, unwind on the river deck or around the fire pit, listening to the rhythms of the rainforest. Dining is an integral part of the experience here, with all meals, snacks, and house beverages included. Chefs blend local ingredients with global techniques to create fresh, memorable dishes enjoyed in open-air settings that overlook the jungle canopy

Lango Lodge, Odzala-Kokoua

Perched above the wildlife-rich wetlands of Lango Baï in the heart of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Lango Lodge offers a front-row seat to one of Africa’s most spectacular natural arenas. Suspended on stilts amid thick forest and overlooking a clearing where elephants, buffalo, and vibrant birdlife gather, the lodge invites guests into a world shaped by water and wilderness. The journey to Lango is an adventure in itself, as you kayak along jungle waterways followed by a barefoot trek through the baï, culminating in a truly immersive arrival into the rainforest.

Each of Lango’s elevated bungalows is built with natural materials and designed to embrace the surrounding landscape, featuring wraparound decks and ensuite comforts. Days are spent exploring the wetlands on foot or by kayak, spotting elusive mammals and rare birds, while evenings bring sundowners on the star deck and fireside wildlife watching. Dining is an essential part of the experience, with all-inclusive meals crafted from local ingredients and served in the open-air pavilion. Here, you’ll enjoy fresh, inventive cuisine to the sound of frogs calling across the water and the rustle of forest life all around

Mboko Lodge, Odzala-Kokoua

Set where forest meets savanna and river, Mboko Lodge immerses you in one of the most biodiverse corners of the Congo. From hyenas roaming the grasslands to monkeys swinging through the trees and birds wheeling overhead, life here unfolds in every direction. Days at Mboko are shaped by adventure, whether you’re walking forest trails, kayaking quiet waters, or cruising rivers in search of elusive wildlife, while nights are for reflection under wide-open skies.

Tucked beneath shady trees along the gentle Lékéni River, Mboko’s canvas-walled chalets blend rustic charm with quiet luxury. Each room offers views of the surrounding wilderness, handcrafted touches by local artisans, and soothing sounds of the forest just beyond your veranda. At the heart of the lodge, an open-air pavilion looks out over the savanna, where guests gather for relaxed meals and sundowners around the fire. Enjoy dishes inspired by the region and crafted with flair, served beneath open skies, around a table carved from ancient petrified wood, as distant thunderstorms illuminate the vast Congolese horizon

Hilton Brazzaville

Perched above the majestic Congo River, the Hilton Brazzaville offers a refined blend of luxury, comfort, and world-class service in the heart of the city. Ideally located within a vibrant complex of shops, restaurants, and businesses, and just a short drive from Beach Ngobila and Maya-Maya Airport, this 5-star hotel is the perfect base for exploring Brazzaville or relaxing after a safari tour. Guests can unwind in elegant rooms with sweeping river views, private spa baths, and exclusive executive lounge access, or stay active with a fitness centre, tennis courts, and a year-round outdoor pool.

Culinary experiences include a family-friendly international restaurant serving African and French cuisine, a welcoming cocktail bar, and a unique revolving restaurant on the 30th floor that offers breathtaking panoramic views of Brazzaville.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Republic of Congo adventure for you.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

With a lifetime of unforgettable nature and adventure based travel under his belt, Simon shares his passion, enthusiasm and hands-on experience to help create the perfect itinerary for every client.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

Sheena’s abiding love of adventure travel has taken her to some of the most incredible wildlife-rich places on Earth. Her vast experience and genuine desire to share her knowledge makes her an outstanding and invaluable person to help you organise your wildlife adventure trip.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than fifteen years hands-on experience in the industry, travelling to some of the most incredible wild places on the planet. His far-reaching knowledge and invaluable skills will ensure that your wildlife travel adventure is a dream come true.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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