Odzala-Kokoua National Park

Why visit Odzala-Kokoua National Park?

The Odzala-Kokoua experience is about finding western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, bongos and a host of other secretive forest species.

Congo-Brazzaville is a safe, friendly country for tourists, and the tarred road from the capital city, Brazzaville, to Odzala-Kokoua NP is in excellent condition.

Gorilla watching versus gorilla trekking

Odzala-Kokoua offers two ways to find western lowland gorillas:

• watching unhabituated lowland gorillas from elevated treehouses

  • No time limit, multiple sightings possible, no hiking, no masks, no trek permit required and

• trekking for habituated lowland gorillas, to spend time with them in close quarters

  • One hour time limit, one visit per day, hiking involved, masks required, trek permit required

Odzala-Kokoua's verdant forests and baïs

Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the remote northwest of Congo-Brazzaville is one of Africa’s oldest national parks. The park is covered in forests, rivers, marshes, and swamps that extend over 13,500 km2 (1.35 million hectares). It is an integral part of both the Congo Basin and the TRIDOM Transfrontier Park that overlaps Gabon, Congo and Cameroon.

The most distinctive characteristic of the Congo rainforest is the forest baïs - island clearings in the sea of trees. Here, marshy areas rich in minerals and salts attract a plethora of wildlife.

Gorillas and other forest wildlife

The Odzala-Kokoua experience is about western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, forest buffaloes, bongos, dwarf crocodiles and flocks of grey parrots and green pigeons. It’s also about finding golden potto, Demidoff’s dwarf galago, Lord Derby’s flying squirrel and a host of other mysterious creatures.

Bird watching in Odzala-Kokoua

Odzala-Kokoua National Park plays host to over 440 bird species, including Hartlaub’s duck, Nkulengu rail, spot-breasted ibis, Congo serpent eagle, long-tailed hawk, vermiculated fishing owl, bare-cheeked trogon, white-crested hornbill, chocolate-backed kingfisher, lyre-tailed honeyguide, African piculet, grey parrot, African pitta, rufous-bellied helmetshrike and western bluebill.

Read more about Odzala-Kokoua National Park

READ THIS Ozala-Kokoua travel diary by our CEO

Why Odzala-Kokoua is a responsible safari choice

Your Africa Geographic safari to Odzala-Kokoua National Park contributes directly to the conservation of western lowland gorillas and other species because:

• 100% of Odzala-Kokoua tourism revenue earned by African Parks goes to the park's conservation efforts and local communities.

• 100% of your gorilla trekking permit cost goes directly to gorilla conservation efforts in the park.

• We donate a portion of every safari sold to selected conservation efforts at ground level.

• Your safari supports our conservation publishing efforts, which educate the world about the plight of western lowland gorillas and other endangered species.

• Our chosen lodges and other service providers support local community initiatives, ensuring that tourism benefits the nearby villages directly. They also adhere to strict environmental practices, such as limited visitor numbers to gorilla families and sustainable camp operations, which help protect the ecosystem.

African Parks has managed Odzala-Kokoua National Park since 2010 - in partnership with the Republic of the Congo’s Ministry of Forest Economy, Sustainable Development and Environment. The management agreement includes Lossi Gorilla Sanctuary, a 35 km2 area to the southwest of Odzala-Kokoua - an important wildlife corridor.

Odzala has become a conservation stronghold for its abundant and diverse wildlife, as well as for the people who play an integral role in its protection.