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This exclusive adventure offers complete seclusion in pristine wilderness, only you immersed in an untouched, preserved sanctuary far beyond the reach of any tourism. The lodges are located in the heart of the Odzala-Kokoua National Park of the safe and politically stable Congo Brazzaville. Which is not to be confused with its controversial neighbor Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
For 7 nights, you will stay in 3 different secluded hideaways, completely off the grid, yet with all the luxury needed, immersed in untouched nature. Here, in this wild expanse, life slows to its most natural rhythm. The camps are located within the natural habitats of 400 mammal species roaming freely, including gorillas, forest elephants and buffalos. Each lodges will be all ours and no one else’s. Rooms are equipped with king size beds, moskito nets, non-stop electricity, showers and toilet. Reliable fast Wifi is available in the living area of each camp.
The days are filled with incredibly diverse explorations, jumping in a car for unique game drives, kayaking down the river among birds and mammals living on the river beds, endless learning opportunities and well deserved rest. The evenings are packed with good food and stories around the fire with the guides, their endless knowledge and the many tales the jungle has to offer in the background. Included in the week are 2 gorilla permits, meaning we will have 2 mornings tracking gorillas. Each sighting is limited to 1 hour to limit our impact on the families and preserve their natural behaviors.
Our approach to wildlife viewing remains respectful, observant, and science-based, unlike other gorilla experiences that have become industrial.
PURPOSE
The project was originally founded to support primatology research and conservation to understand the decline of the Lowland Gorilla populations. It naturally was followed by an eco-tourism focus to fund and benefit the local residents with jobs, income, education, health care and training opportunities. Generating sustainable economic opportunities in the Congolese rainforest ecosystem, while minimizing our own footprint, enhances its monetary value and successfully competes against logging, mining, poaching, and other destructive enterprises still in place in these areas. Ultimately, the goal is to prepare the next generation of Congolese to continue the efforts in establishing conservation-based tourism in the Republic of the Congo and across Africa. How we achieve those goals is expressed through what we call the KARE Framework:
- Knowledge: Creating transformative experiences for visitors to the Congo Basin spreads awareness of its vital importance — both as a carbon sink that helps counteract global warming, and as a habitat for rare and wonderful flora and fauna. Promoting wildlife-based tourism in the area demonstrates to local residents the economic value of their natural heritage and persuade them to protect it.
- Advancement: Funding education, health care, and training opportunities for local residents helps them achieve economic self-sufficiency while maintaining their traditional way of life, and demonstrates the value of preserving their natural heritage. Sustainable development work in these remote and scarcely beautiful places in the world is only possible if you engage the local communities by providing them financial security and a purpose by giving them work.
- Research: Backing scientific endeavors in the Congo Basin — through our founder’s support of the research station at Ngaga, initiated by renowned primatologist Magdalena Bermejo, and with partners such as African Parks Network — deepens our understanding of biodiversity and helps protect threatened species. We have established an interdisciplinary research network involving various universities contributing to conservation research in Africa. With the goal of building the next generation of Congolese scientists, Dr. Bermejo supervises graduate students from the University of Brazzaville.
- Eco-tourism: Generating sustainable economic opportunities in the Congolese rainforest ecosystem, while minimizing our own footprint, enhances its monetary value and successfully competes against logging, mining, poaching, and other destructive enterprises.
‘UNESCO world heritage site’
‘Time’s Wold greatest places 2024’
‘One of Africa’s last pristine ecosystem’
‘The only concession granted in Congo’
‘Highest number of diurnal primates in central Africa’