Republic of the Congo

The Republic of the Congo is a sparsely populated country in Central Africa. Seemingly endless pristine tropical forest and fingers of moist savannah covers its interior. Tourism to the Congo is at a fledgling stage, thereby creating an aura of exploration when journeying here. The northern part of the country is the heart of the Congo Basin, the world’s second largest expanse of tropical rainforest. Along with great forest biodiversity, it holds by far the majority of the world’s population of western lowland gorillas.

Yet, the Congo wildlife experience is about more than just trekking for western lowland gorilla. Several national parks and reserves, most notably Odzala-Kokoua, provide shelter for a huge variety of lowland rainforest mammals with dozens of primate and duiker species, as well as large forest mega fauna such as forest elephant, forest buffalo,  lowland bongo, leopard and spotted hyena. Unlike most safari areas elsewhere in Africa, game drives are not a primary activity. Instead, the focus is on walking, boating and kayaking.

Brazaville, the country’s capital, is the best way to access the Congo’s wildlife areas. Lying on the western banks of the Congo River, the city’s architecture and wide boulevards reflect its French colonial heritage.