Republic of Congo
Republic of Congo – Congo Odzala Discovery Tour – a 9 day Small Group Tour.
Explore the towering forests, crystal-clear streams and expansive open savannah of north-west Congo: track western lowland gorillas through pristine rainforest and discover a mosaic of grasslands and waterways as you search out unique birds and wildlife.
On this tour we travel to Odzala-Kokoua National Park, with its heavily forested landscape characterised by networks of swamps, bais and rivers and we stay at excellent quality lodges with two camps inside and a 3rd on a private concession bordering the national park.
This vast and truly wild region is home to an incredible diversity of life with forest elephant, leopard, bongo, forest buffalo, giant forest hog and hippo living alongside the greatest density of western lowland gorilla in Africa.
The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville is about as far of the main stream tourist trail as you can get. Don’t let that put you off though as it has jungles hiding half the world’s lowland gorillas, masses of forest elephants, and troops of chimpanzees marauding through pristine rain forest.
Close to the geographical “Heart of Africa“, our tour visits the renowned Odzala National Park, a national park in the Cuvette-Ouest Region. A place of astounding biodiversity, Odzala is a place few people have ever had the chance to visit. Undiscovered Destinations is delighted to be able to offer trips to the Odzala and the chance to visit the forests of the Congo Basin, in safety and comfort.
The Congo Odzala Discovery is a safari like no other. Even the most experienced safari-goers will find much that is completely new in Odzala. The remoteness, beauty, and the sheer weight of its biodiversity are sure to astound and delight you, and the itinerary is focused around the idea of “parting the great green veil” and letting you see inside one of Africa’s last pristine wilderness areas.
Odzala has three very special Camps reflecting the different ecosystems in which they are found. Each offers a variety of activities designed to let you explore their unique surroundings. This is your chance to walk the path less taken, to marvel at unique and sometimes bizarre creatures, and to experience the undiscovered beauty and majesty of Congo.
- Fitness
- Off the beaten track
- Culture
- History
- Wildlife
Tour Pace
Moderate
Tour style
Pioneer
Relaxed Pace
Relaxed tours are easy paced with plenty of leisure time built in. The tour will in all probability still be off the beaten track, with the occasional early start and there may still be occasional long drives. In general on a relaxed pace tour you can enjoy easy-going activities and experiences with opportunities to absorb the sights and immerse yourself in the local surroundings.
Moderate Pace
Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour experience that combines activities and experiences with some time to relax. Typically you will be active and busy for part of the day but then also have time to rest and recharge your batteries. In general on a moderate paced tour there may be some long journeys involved but the tour is not an expedition or a road trip. On a moderate paced tour it will be necessary to have some early starts.
Busy Pace
A busy paced tour means that you can expect to be doing, seeing or experiencing something new almost every day, and moving on from place to place to pack in as much as possible. There may be early starts, long journeys and tiring days along the way, but you’ll return home feeling you’ve really experienced as much as you possibly could.
Pioneer Class Tours
On our Pioneer tours, you will be amongst an elite group of intrepid travellers and some of the first to explore a country that few have been privileged enough to discover. Of course, exploring such areas of the world will come with its challenges; it may mean several nights camping, long journeys by 4WD and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility for when carefully laid plans change. These are challenging tours in countries and areas that may have poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and illiteracy. This can translate in to low standards in hotels, bad roads and poor driving standards among other issues. We try and smooth out as much of these issues as we can but you should be prepared to experience the bad with the good.
Traveller Class Tours
Our Traveller itineraries are at the core of our programme. These journeys are designed for travellers who still want to discover a land away from the tourist crowds but expect minimum standards. Accommodation will be primarily hotel based, although you could still find yourself camping, or the guest of a local family. Depending on the destination and itinerary, you’ll likely be travelling in a private vehicle, with occasional use of public transport. This is adventure travel with some of the rough edges smoothed out.
Itinerary.
Day 1 (Wednesday/Sunday) – Arrive Brazzaville
On arrival at Maya Maya International Airport you will be met and helped with the transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or to explore the city. No meals nor guided arrangements are included today. Overnight at the Radisson Blu Brazzaville or similar.
Day 2 (Thursday/Monday) – Odzala
The morning is left at your own leisure. The flight to Odzala departs Brazzaville at 1pm, arriving Odzala at 3pm where there is a road transfer from the airstrip to the Ngaga Camp. The drive takes about 2½ hours through the Odzala-Kokoua National Park. You will be met on arrival by the Gorilla Research Team, with dinner to follow. Overnight Ngaga Camp in a luxury en-suite forest chalet. (D)
Day 3 (Friday/Tuesday) – Gorilla Tracking
This morning you will set off on the first of your Gorilla tracking with a local guide and tracker.
Please note: for gorilla viewing guests need to produce a medical certificate to prove they have been vaccinated against Polio and Measles, and are free from Tuberculosis. A guide and skilled local tracker lead guests to 2 groups of habituated Western Lowland Gorillas. Your chances of seeing Gorilla are extremely high, but, as with many wildlife experiences, never guaranteed.
You will return to the camp for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing, followed by a forest walk for bird watching and the discovery of forest life, with sundowners by the river. Overnight Ngaga Camp in a luxury en-suite forest chalet. (BLD)
Day 4 (Saturday/Wednesday) – Gorilla Tracking
Another chance to head off into the forest on a morning Gorilla tracking with a local guide and tracker before returning to the camp for lunch. This afternoon you will have time with the Gorilla Research Team, before a forest walk and a night walk to view the nocturnal forest life. Overnight Ngaga Camp in a luxury en-suite forest chalet. (BLD)
Day 5 (Sunday/Thursday) - Mboko Camp - Lekoli River - Lango Camp
This morning you can relax around the camp or if you wish there is the option for a 3rd gorilla tracking walk (at an additional cost) before we take a road transfer through Mbomo village and travel to the Odzala-Kokoua National Park. We will arrive at Mboko Camp for lunch and then continue our journey by kayak on the Lekoli River all the way to the Lango Camp. There will be time to relax upon arrival, or you may wish to enjoy a easy walk to start discovering the baï, followed by sundowners. Overnight Lango Camp in an en-suite forest chalet. (BLD)
Day 6 (Monday/Friday) - Lango Camp and the Baï
Depart after breakfast for a guided morning walk through the baï. Return to the camp for lunch and then, join another forest and baï walk, or go bird watching from the camp deck. From the bird hide you can watch species such as African Grey Parrots and African Green Pigeons. Overnight Lango Camp in a luxury en-suite forest chalet. (BLD)
Day 7 (Tuesday/Saturday) – Lango Camp - Mboko Camp
Start your day with a nice breakfast and a last guided morning walk through the baï. Depart afterwards for a walk along a raised, wooden walkway through the swamp and a game drive transfer to Mboko Camp. You will be looking for primates such as Guereza Colobus, Grey-cheeked Mangabey and Moustached Monkey as well as bushbuck and various species of forest-dwelling Duiker (small antelope). After lunch at the camp, relax or take a walk through the forrest. Later in the afternoon, there is a chance to take a river cruise. Overnight Mboko Camp in a luxury en-suite river chalet. (BLD)
Day 8 (Wednesday/Sunday) - Mboko Camp
After breakfast, you can decide on whether to take a guided walk through the forest, or you can simply relax and enjoy the superb savannah views. In the afternoon, choose between an adventure walk and swim in the Likeni River or a further guided forest walk. Overnight Mboko Camp in an en-suite river chalet. (BLD)
Day 9 (Thursday/Monday) – Brazzaville - Departure
After breakfast at Mboko Camp, depart on the charter flight back to Brazzaville at 9am. On arrival in Brazzaville at 11am you will be met and assisted with checking in for your onward flight. (B)
Note: If you wish to arrive earlier or extend your stay at the end, we are able to book hotels in Brazzaville and also arrange a day tour of the city. Please contact us for details and costs.
Dates & Price.
Congo Odzala Discovery Tour
Departs every Sunday and Wednesday – from £15,250
Shorter and longer durations are available,
Please call to book.
Tour Notes
Twice Weekly Departures
This tour is based on arrival in Brazzaville on a Sunday or Wednesday and operates like this until 2nd Dec 2020. Please contact us for availablity.
Single Supplement
From £4199 per person.
Solo Traveller Special
Contact us for a discounted rate available the travel on first Wednesday of each month for Solo travellers
Flights
Return flights from London to Brazzavile start at £600 return via Addis Ababa. Contact us for a quotation.
Extra Accommodation
Extra night accommodation pre and/or post tour in Brazzaville costs from £150 per person, per night sharing a twin/double room and £300 per person in a solo occupancy room.
We can arrange guided tours of Brazzaville from £50 per person.
Please note that the prices quoted above are for the category of accommodation and hotel used for this particular tour. Depending on the hotel eventually confirmed there may be some difference in the rate advertised by the hotel, and the prices available through Undiscovered Destinations. It should be noted we will not apply a surcharge should more expensive accommodation be used. At the same time in the event that a lower rate is available for the confirmed hotel we are unable to offer a refund.
Transfers
Airport transfers are included if you are booking pre and/or post tour accommodation at the hotel mentioned in our tour dossier.
Download PDF.
Download the full tour dossier for this trip here.
For expert advice get in touch now with our passionate,
well-travelled team.
+44(0) 191 296 2674 from THE UK
1-800-614-2967 from THE US & CANADA
1-300-956-415 from AUSTRALIA
Tour inclusions.
- Airport meet and greet in Brazzaville and full airport assistance on arrival and departure.
- Return schedule charter flight from Maya-Maya Airport, Brazzaville to Mboko airstrip, Odzala-Kokoua National Park on Thursdays.
- 3 nights Ngaga Camp, 2 nights Mboko Camp and 2 nights Lango Camp.
- Daily guided activities, including 2 gorilla permits, 1 boat cruise, 1 kayak safari, daily guided forest walks.
- 3 meals per day, house wines, beers, spirits, water and soft drinks (excluding connoisseur wine and champagne).
- Road transfers between camps and airstrip and to and from Brazzaville hotel (if booked) and Maya-Maya Airport.
- Congo letter of invitation fee and all 3rd party fees including Medical Evacuation, Community Fees and Park fees.
- Laundry and internet access (Wi-Fi available in all camps).
Tour exclusions.
- International flights
- Any airport taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Gratuities and all items of a personal nature at Odzala Discovery Camps.
- Optional 3rd gorilla trek if requested
- Visas
Read more about our tours in Republic of Congo and our other tours in Africa
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