Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Republic of the Congo · Cuvette-Ouest · 450 m
Description
Odzala is the reason travellers come to the Republic of the Congo, thirteen thousand square kilometres of rainforest, swamp and savanna in the far north-west with the highest density of western lowland gorillas anywhere. Several groups are habituated, and trackers walk visitors in to sit with them for an hour. The bais are the other draw, natural mineral clearings where a raised hide looks down on forest elephants, bongo and buffalo coming out of the trees. Forest camps sit on the Lékoli river. Access is a long drive from Brazzaville or a charter flight to Mboko.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 6 to 11 days (optimal 7 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: January – February or June – August
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Western lowland gorilla tracking
- Forest elephants at the bais
- Lango bai and its viewing hide
- Kayaking and wading the Lékoli river
- Night drives on the Mboko savanna
- Bongo and forest buffalo in the clearings
- Marantaceae forest walks
- Birdwatching for African grey parrots
- Forest camps on the river
- Spotted hyenas of the northern savanna
- Butterflies at the salt clearings