Republic of Congo and Central African Republic Gorilla trip
Dzanga-Sangha and Nouabale-Ndoki National Parks
INTRODUCTION
If the mysterious tropical forests of Africa fascinate you then this is the expedition for you, a journey into the untouched rainforests of Central Africa. This vast region, spanning three countries sparsely populated with Bantu tribes and nomadic groups of Pygmies will not disappoint the adventurer and wildlife lover.
You will be travelling in four by four wheel drive vehicles, in motorised pirogues, in small Pirogues powered by Pygmy and Bantu tribesmen, and on foot into the remotest parts of the jungle, and yet surprisingly the accommodation will be comfortable with private bathroom facilities and cold drinks throughout the time. You will enter a pristine region full of wildlife, including Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Elephants, and many of the smaller primates, small mammals, forest birds, and a wealth of flora.
We spend time watching gorillas and elephants from the comfort of miradors [Large covered viewing platforms] at the famous Mbeli and Dzanga bais.
We trek to see Gorillas on foot with Pygmy trackers. We have an opportunity to spend a day with the Pygmies starting early in the morning with a net hunt, followed by a lesson in medicinal and food plants of the forest, hut building and perhaps food preparation by some fascinating Pygmy woman.
2011 ITINERARY
Day 1: The tour begins in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel.
Day 2: a long travel day; After an early breakfast, you head south for the Dzanga- Sangha Special Reserve where you will spend the next 4 nights. [B,L,D]
Dzanga-Sangha is the northern section of the north-western Congo Basin. In the reserve are large populations of Forest Elephant, Lowland gorillas, 16 of the country’s primate species (such as De Brazza’s Monkey with its distinctive white beard), hundreds of bird species, reptiles, frogs etc. you visit a village of the Ba’aka pygmies and if you want, you can join them in a hunt for food into the forests. The woman will share some traditional knowledge of the plants and you learn about their lifestyle in the forest. The WWF works with the Ba’aka in establishing conservation, education and health programs in the area. The next few days, may be spent visiting Dzanga Bai, tracking lowland gorillas and hunting with the Ba’aka.
Our program will remain flexible as the logistics often dictate but should run closely along these lines:
Day 3: Gorilla tracking. Today you head down to Bai Hokou where you will spend time tracking a group of Western Lowland Gorillas. Dzangha Sangha and its neighbor in Congo Nouabale-Ndoki National Park are the only places in the world where you can find habituated Lowland Gorillas. [B,L,D]
Day 4: Visit to Dzangha Bai. Dzangha Bai is large mineral rich clearing in the middle of the rainforest where forest elephants gather in large numbers to indulge in drinking the mineral rich waters that bubble up in places in this Bai. The interaction between so many different groups of Forest elephants ensure that no one can ever get bored at this place, while the possibility of some of the other normally shy forest creature like Bongo, Giant Forest Hog, Red River Hog, Sitatunga and Forest Buffalos visiting the Bai keep us alert. [B,L,D]
Day 5. Today you head out with a group of Ba’aka net hunters as they go about their daily hunter-gatherer lifestyle. It is fascinating and a joy in itself to see how well adapted and comfortable the Ba’aka are in the forest while you may find it overwhelming and almost intimidating. You will be shown several of their medicinal plants while the hunt goes along in the background, and the excited cheers will alert us if they do catch something. THIS ACTIVITY IS NOT CONTRIVED AND THE HUNTERS ARE THERE TO CATCH THEIR FOOD SO PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SOME ANIMALS MAY BE KILLED DURING THIS TIME. [B,L,D]
Day 6. Anearly departure,by river, for around 5 hours to the village of Bomassa in the Rep. of Congo. From here into Nouabale Ndoki National Park, at first by vehicle and then on arrival at the Ndoki river you transfer into small pirogues and get poled upstream to Mbeli camp, our home for the next 3 nights in the heart of the rainforest and prime Gorilla habitat. [B,L,D]
Day 7 & 8 Youwalk through the forest to the swamp clearings called Bais. Mbeli Bai is one of these and you watch from a high viewing platform the comings and goings of gorillas and other forest inhabitants. Of interest is that researchers use these observation posts as a way of studying the behavior and social dynamics of the western lowland gorillas.
As a result of these observations they can identify over 130 individual gorillas and have an understanding of some of their social behaviors, which would otherwise be very difficult to obtain in the thick forest.
But as well you see a wealth of other animals using this area as a waterhole such as Forest Elephant (very different to the African elephant), Sitatunga, Red River- hogs, Black and White Colobus, and others. [B,L,D]
Day 9: Reversing the program of day 6 you head back to Sangha lodge for a further 3 nights. [B,L,D]
Day 10 and 11: Today you have these days for optional activities….These can range from repeating any of the earlier activities done at Sangha lodge such as Gorilla tracking, or visits to the Dzangha Bai, or alternatively just relaxing or walking on the several hikes you have laid out in the forest around the lodge. NO OPTIONAL EXTRA ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COSTS. [B,L,D]
Day 12: A very early start for our long drive back to Bangui …. [B,L]
Day 13: day at leisure,Depart for home.
The Projected Cost for this trip is €5064, Per person sharing, with a single supplement of €550. [Note that there are no single rooms at Mbeli Camp]
The cost includes all vehicle hire,
1 gorilla tracking permit per person.
All park entrances and costs for activities mentioned in the program
All accommodation
All meals as mentioned in the program.
EXCLUDES
ALL OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES.
DRINKS
LAUNDRY
TIPPING
MEALS IN BANGUI.
The option of flying in or out via a charter is available at the cost of around Euro 3000 per flight.[8 pax]
The tour cost above is based on 3 people travelling together in one vehicle.
The quote is subject to availability of accommodation at both Sangha Lodge and at Mbeli camp.
Due to logistics, this itinerary can be subject to changes.
| Facts about Central African Republic |
| Time |
| GMT + 1 |
| Population |
| 4.3 million |
| Seasons |
| Wet throughout although less rain falls in November through to April. |
| Telephone |
| No phones in the areas we visit as yet. Satalite phones are available in the local town for a fee. |
| ATMs |
| None |
| Money |
| Central African CFA. 1 euro = CFA 655 |
| Capital |
| Bangui |
| Visa Required? |
| Yes!! Contact us for updated Visa requirements |
| Languages |
| French, Sangha, and Ba'aka. |
| Area |
| 342, 000 sq km |
