Arrival in Brazzaville, on the shores of the Congo River. From the capital of the Republic of the Congo you can gaze Kinshasa and the breadth of the river. This is the Heart of Africa, and you are about to go deeper. Your chartered flight takes you to the southern sectors of Odzala. Your decked camp blends perfectly with the forest and overlooks a glade. You are in gorilla country. The research team greet you with open arms. Night falls quickly this close to the Equator, but that doesn’t mean the forest sleeps, actually, it comes to life anew.
The day begins in excitement as you join the research team. They are surveying the groups of gorillas that live nearby. Some of them are habituated to humans and proximity is intense. The team lead by Dr Magda Bermejo, one of the world’s leading primatologists, successfully habituated these gorillas, which has allowed them to study this species closely. You help the team track a group of gorillas in the dense forest. Afterwards, you learn of the huge bird diversity in the area, either from the comfort of the camp’s deck, or venturing into the forest with your expert guides.
After another day of gorilla tracking and a leisurely afternoon at the camp, you venture into the darkness to discover what nature is up to after the sun sets. Night walks with an expert naturalist are a fascinating endeavour and lead to the most impactful sightings. Animals are less shy at night and walking in the forest in the dark has a lure to it that is almost mystical.
It’s time to say farewell to the gorilla team and continue to the heart of Odzala. Your new camp consists of a huge deck on the very limit between the forest and a marsh. The view of marshland is arresting and a non-stop show of wildlife: herds of buffalo promenade by day while forest elephant come at night for a drink. You have the opportunity to explore the jungle through the waterways on a kayak, an immersive experience that allows you to fully enjoy the mellow flow of tropical rivers.
It’s time to wear your Wellingtons and head out to explore the marshlands. This small walking safari will get you close to the animals and you will discover some of the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. Take your boots off and kick back as you watch a myriad birds from the comfort of the deck.
As you move deeper into Odzala, you come hear the Lekoli River and its tributaries. Your new camp is located in the frontier between the savannah and the tropical forest. The river is a great way to explore the area and an afternoon cruise lets you grasp just how huge Odzala really is.
You begin the day with a guided walk through the forest where you discover a new level of biodiversity: it is not only about big, charismatic animals, but also about the small critters and plants that sustain the ecosystem. Later in the day, you head to the river and enjoy swimming in this pristine natural milieu.
After breakfast and some time to explore the forest at leisure, you board your charter flight back to the capital. As you fly over the immense wilderness, you entertain a novel sense of wonder and are glad that ethical travel is a force for good in conservation, because there is yet so much that you want to discover!
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