Odzala Discovery
Seven Nights Tracking Lowland Gorillas in the Congo Basin Rainforest
Overview
This is the definitive Odzala experience — seven nights in three distinct forest camps, tracking western lowland gorillas through primary rainforest, watching forest elephants gather at mineral-rich baïs, kayaking oxbow rivers and walking beneath a canopy that has stood for millennia. You fly into the heart of the Congo Basin on a private charter from Brazzaville, land on a grass airstrip carved from the green and spend a week immersed in one of Africa's last true wildernesses.
Unlike the mountain gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda, the western lowland gorillas you encounter here live in dense lowland jungle — sightings are earned through hours of forest tracking, wading through swamps and following fresh gorilla trails with expert Ba'Aka trackers. The reward is intimate: a family feeding quietly in dappled light, silverbacks grooming infants, the forest alive with the sounds of chimps, grey parrots and forest buffalo. Between gorilla treks you explore the open baïs — forest clearings where elephants, bongo, buffalo and sitatunga emerge to drink and feed on mineral-rich sedges. Nights are spent in luxury tented camps with hot showers, gourmet meals and sundowners on wooden decks overlooking the forest.
Who It's For
Ideal for seasoned safari-goers ready for the next frontier — those who have seen the Serengeti and Okavango and now want the thrill of tracking wild gorillas through roadless jungle. Expect adventure-level comfort: tented camps, forest walks in humidity, and flexible schedules dictated by gorilla movements and weather. Not a Big Five safari; this is primate trekking and lowland forest immersion at its finest.
Package Highlights
Western Lowland Gorilla Trekking
Track habituated gorilla families through primary rainforest from Ngaga Camp
Congo Basin Rainforest
Immersion in 13,600 km² of pristine lowland jungle, rivers and baïs
Baï Wildlife Viewing
Forest elephants, buffalo, bongo and sitatunga at mineral-rich clearings
Kayak & Boat Safaris
Paddle oxbow rivers and drift past nesting kingfishers and forest buffalo
400+ Bird Species
African grey parrots, hornbills, fish eagles and forest kingfishers
Three Luxury Forest Camps
Ngaga rainforest canopy, Lango baï treehouse, Mboko riverside — all meals, drinks, guiding included
Day-by-Day Itinerary
You board a light aircraft at Brazzaville's Maya-Maya Airport and fly north over the Congo River and into the green — two hours of unbroken rainforest canopy stretching to every horizon. The plane lands on a grass airstrip deep in Odzala-Kokoua, and you are met by your guide and driven through the forest to Ngaga Camp. After settling into your stilted tent beneath the canopy, the afternoon is a gentle forest orientation walk to learn the rhythms of the jungle and the calls of grey parrots overhead.
🏨 Accommodation: Ngaga Camp (3 nights)
🍽️ Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Featured Lodges & Accommodation
Ngaga Camp
📍 Ndzehi Forest, Odzala-Kokoua
Six raised wood-and-thatch rooms tucked into the Marantaceae forest canopy, Ngaga is the base for western lowland gorilla trekking. Two habituated families roam the surrounding forest and expert Ba'Aka trackers lead you to them on foot beneath a cathedral of green.
From $1,050 per person per night
Lango Camp
📍 Lango Baï, Odzala-Kokoua
Overlooking the wildlife-rich Lango baï, this elevated camp of six rooms puts forest elephants, buffalo, bongo and sitatunga on your doorstep. Wade the clearing on foot, kayak the Lekoli River and watch the baï come alive at dawn from your private deck.
From $1,050 per person per night
Mboko Camp
📍 Lekoli River, Odzala-Kokoua
The largest of the three camps, Mboko sits on the savanna-forest edge beside the Lekoli River. Twelve airy rooms, boat and kayak safaris, night drives and forest walks make it the perfect all-round finale to an Odzala journey.
From $950 per person per night
Pricing & Options
All prices per person sharing. Customize any tier to your preferences.
Green Season
(~$1,357/night)
Shared scheduled departure in the green season (Oct–May), all camps fully inclusive of meals, house drinks, guided activities and one gorilla permit
Get QuoteClassic Dry Season
(~$1,511/night)
Peak dry-season departure (Jun–Sep) with the best trekking conditions, all camps fully inclusive, charter flights, one gorilla permit and expert Ba'Aka trackers
Get QuotePrivate Bespoke
(~$1,886/night)
Fully private guided departure on your chosen dates, priority permits, extended baï time and tailored add-ons throughout the Congo Basin
Get QuoteWhat's Included & Excluded
✓ Included
- ✓ Charter flights Brazzaville ↔ Odzala (return)
- ✓ 7 nights luxury tented accommodation (Ngaga 3 nights, Lango 2 nights, Mboko 2 nights)
- ✓ All meals, house wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks
- ✓ All guided activities: gorilla trekking, forest walks, baï viewing, boat/kayak safaris, night drives
- ✓ Gorilla trekking permit (1 permit included)
- ✓ Expert field guides and Ba'Aka trackers
- ✓ Park entry and conservation fees
- ✓ Transfers within Odzala-Kokoua National Park
✗ Excluded
- ✗ International flights to/from Republic of Congo
- ✗ Visa for Republic of Congo (~$100)
- ✗ Accommodation in Brazzaville (pre/post safari)
- ✗ Additional gorilla permits ($750 each, subject to availability)
- ✗ Personal travel and medical insurance
- ✗ Tips and gratuities
- ✗ Items of a personal nature
Photo Gallery
Best Time to Travel
The long dry season from June to September is the finest window for gorilla trekking in Odzala — forest trails are drier, leeches fewer and wildlife concentrates at the baïs. The short dry spell in December–February is also excellent. The wetter months bring lush forests and dramatic storms but muddier trails. Gorilla trekking runs year-round.
Why Choose This Package
Africa's Last Great Wilderness
Odzala-Kokoua is 13,600 km² of primary Congo Basin rainforest — roadless, remote and visited by only a few hundred travellers a year. You trek where almost no one goes.
Wild, Not Habituated-Easy
Unlike the mountain gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda, these western lowland gorillas are tracked through dense jungle and swamp — sightings are earned, intimate and unforgettable.
Fly-In Luxury Forest Camps
Ngaga, Lango and Mboko are among the finest camps in Central Africa — raised forest suites, gourmet dining, house drinks and expert guiding, all included.
Private & Fully Escorted
Charter flights from Brazzaville, expert field guides and Ba'Aka trackers, and a seamless private itinerary mean you focus only on the forest and its wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Experience the Odzala Discovery?
From $10,575 per person | 8 Days / 7 Nights
⚡ Limited availability for peak season 2026 — book early to secure your dates