Nouabalé-Ndoki (Congo Brazzaville) and Dzanga Sangha (Central African Republic) are two neighboring parks which are both part of a trinational park together with Lobéké National Park in Cameroon. It is possible to combine both Nouabalé-Ndoki and Dzanga Sangha for your safari and gorilla tracking in one travel. 

Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park is located in the north of the Republic of the Congo and was established in 1993. It is an important refuge for wildlife, especially elephants and primates such as gorillas and chimpanzees. We can also find antelopes such as bongos and sitatungas and a wide variety of birds. Nouabalé-Nokdi is a little under 4.000 km² and consists of pristine tropical rainforest. Together with Lobéké and Dzanga Sangha they form Sangha Trinational and have a world heritage status. The park is currently managed by the WCS. The park has very few visitors and is still relatively unknown to the wider public. As of 2022 it is undergoing restructuring and a new touristic infrastructure is being established as we speak. 

By the end of 2022 there should be possibility again to book safari and gorilla tracking at Nouabalé-Ndoki, which we combine with a safari to Dzanga Sangha. One of the highlights of the park is Mbeli Bai from where you can observe elephants and other mammals. The park is also known for its gorilla tracking.

Dzanga Sangha is located in the extreme south of the Central African Republic and a prime wildlife destination, possibly the best in all of Central Africa. Dzanga Sangha is one of the most mesmerizing parks in Africa and rich in fauna and flora. A travel to Dzanga Sangha takes you deep into the African jungle and is very different than your typical African safari. 

A visit to Dzanga Sangha is a must for anyone serious about African wildlife and birds. It is also the perfect destination to track the western lowland gorilla and to see bush elephants. The highlight of the park is a tall platform overlooking the Dzanga bai from where you can see up to 200 elephants and more, accompanied by bongo, sitatunga, giant forest hogs and others. 

There is also a great mangabey tracking activity and if you’re staying at the Sangha Lodge you can also meet the habituated pangolins and photograph them. 

It is VERY IMPORTANT to add at least one buffer day before your travel in case your flight is delayed and also add at least one buffer day after the safari so you definitely not miss your flight back. We are not responsible for you missing any transfer flights due to bad planning.

Please know that this expedition includes a lot of walking through dense rainforest. You don’t have to be an experienced hiker, but know that sometimes we do need to walk for a few hours, take off our shoes to go through a shallow stream and that you will have to be on your guard to not trip. During your travel you will encounter wildlife and have unique experiences such as gorilla tracking or seeing buffaloes and elephants. Know that wild animals are unpredictable and you have to take precautions and behave in a responsible way.

For this tour we’d typically start in Brazzaville and go all the way to Ouesso by either coach or private car (depending on your preference). From Ouesso we cross the river to Pokola and from there we go to the local headquarters. We’ll spend around 4 days in the park and will then travel for one day to Dzanga Sangha, where you’ll have another four days in the forest. You can then either go back the same way or continue to Bangui overland or by plane and fly out from there.

Itinerary: note that this can differ, especially as it’s a bit unsure how the structure of Ndoki will be once they’re done with the works.

Day 1: City tour in Brazzaville

Today you’ll be picked up from your hotel and we’ll give you a city tour in which we’ll try to show you as much as possible such as:
– de Brazza Mausoleum
– Freedom Square
– St Anne Basilique
– Félix Eboué Monument
– National Culture Monument
– Congo Rapids

Day 2: Ouesso

We’ll take a nice comfortable coach in the morning and will go all the way to Ouesso, the most northern city of Congo-Brazzaville. This can be upgraded to private transport, but will drastically increase the price.

We will cover over 840 km during which you’ll enjoy the beautiful landscapes and forests of Congo. We will pass Gamboma, Oyo, Owando, Makoua and will arrive in the late evening in Ouesso if everything goes well.

Day 3: Ouesso

Today we have an extra day in Ouesso as it sometimes can happen that we get a delay on the road due to bad weather or other. Ouesso is a charming little town and worth a day of exploring.

Day 4: Nouabalé-Ndoki HQ

Today we’ll get to the headquarters and install ourselves. You’ll get your first introduction to the park’s deep forests.

Day 5, 6, 7: Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park

We will use these days to view the animals such as bush elephants from the platform at Mbeli Bay and also go gorilla tracking. We will be staying in simple accommodation in the park’s camp, where you will be served basic local food.

Day 8: Boat transfer from Bomassa to Bayanga

We will pick you up in the morning with a comfortable boat and will bring you to Bayanga, from where you will be brought to your lodge. The journey to Bayanga is beautiful with magnificent views on the Sangha River and depending on the season you will see millions of butterflies crossing the river.

Day 9: Gorilla Tracking in Dzanga Sangha

Gorilla tracking of a group of habituated western lowland gorillas in Bai Hokou. The duration depends on how long we’ll have to walk to find the gorillas. We typically spend around one hour around them. You are obliged to be vaccinated against covid and you will have to take a rapid antigen test before going on this tour.

Day 10: Dzanga Bai in Dzanga Sangha

Dzanga Bai is a large clearing in the middle of the forest and the soil is rich in minerals. It attracts 50 to 150 elephants who visit the bai each day. We can also observe bongo, giant forest hog, red river hog, sitatunga, forest buffaloes and even gorillas who come to the edge of the bai. We will spend the day on the platform giving you enough opportunity for wildlife viewing and photography.

Day 11: Agile Mangabey Tracking in Dzanga Sangha

We will spend more time in the park in search of more mammals and we will also visit a group of habituated agil mangabeys with over 150 members. The sight is impressive and it will give you plenty of photo opportunities to capture these unique animals. 

Day 12: Departure

Enjoy your last breakfast with the view of the Sangha River this morning. End of tour.

Please, let us know how you’d like to go back, either Congo, Cameroon or Bangui and we’ll help you set it up.

Includes:

– Full board accommodation in the park

– All activities as described

– Pak entrance fees

Doesn’t include:
– Accommodation in Brazzaville and Bangui
– Airport transfer in Brazzaville
– Meals and drinks outside of the parks
– Drinks
– Tips and gratuities

Have a look at some of our videos of our Dzanga Sangha trips!