Best for real explorers who want to journey into one of the wildest, most isolated, most remote places on the planet.
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Not to be confused with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo is a separate country located 200 miles to the east. Rarely visited by tourists (for now), this Congo is filled with incredible surprises. With over 60% of the Republic of the Congo being forest, a trip in it’s borders is a visit to beautiful savanna, languid rivers, mineral rich clearings and more. Any traveller heading through the Congo Basin will embark on an amazing journey into one of the wildest, most remote places on the planet. Second in size only to the Amazon, the Congo is home to more than 400 species of mammals, including critically endangered Western Lowland Gorilla, forest elephants and other rarely sighted wildlife. On top of this is over 1,000 bird species (including the African grey parrot), over 10,000 plant species and hardly any outside visitors. This is a glimpse into the incredible natural world and into the lives of the locals who live within it, an experience not seen anywhere else on earth.
One of the oldest parks in Africa and protected since 1935, the Odzala-Kokoua National Park is home to an incredible variety of wildlife and flora. This includes the Western Lowland Gorilla, the forest elephant, the chimpanzee, the rare bongo, and much more. It includes old-growth rainforest and more than 4,400 plant species alone.
Nouabalé-Ndoki has never been logged, has no roads, and contains wildlife that has had little or no human contact. As one of the only undeveloped wilderness areas in Africa, the park offers the opportunity to experience the incredible biodiversity of the jungle - thousands and thousands of species - in a pristine state. Part of the Sangha Trinational Forest, a World Heritage Site, Nouabalé-Ndoki abuts the majestic Sangha River and is blessed with breathtaking baïs (natural rainforest openings).
One of the world’s mightiest rivers, this river gives life to the country both upstream and downstream of the Republic of the Congo. You can spend days cruising up its banks, visiting sights like the Lesio Louna gorilla conservation project and the Lefini Estuary, a popular spot for hippos. Or, take in any number of the local communities and villages along the river.
One of the oldest parks in Africa and protected since 1935, the Odzala-Kokoua National Park is home to an incredible variety of wildlife and flora. This includes the Western Lowland Gorilla, the forest elephant, the chimpanzee, the rare bongo, and much more. It includes old-growth rainforest and more than 4,400 plant species alone.
Nouabalé-Ndoki has never been logged, has no roads, and contains wildlife that has had little or no human contact. As one of the only undeveloped wilderness areas in Africa, the park offers the opportunity to experience the incredible biodiversity of the jungle - thousands and thousands of species - in a pristine state. Part of the Sangha Trinational Forest, a World Heritage Site, Nouabalé-Ndoki abuts the majestic Sangha River and is blessed with breathtaking baïs (natural rainforest openings).
One of the world’s mightiest rivers, this river gives life to the country both upstream and downstream of the Republic of the Congo. You can spend days cruising up its banks, visiting sights like the Lesio Louna gorilla conservation project and the Lefini Estuary, a popular spot for hippos. Or, take in any number of the local communities and villages along the river.
A forested area just outside Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of the Congo, the Ndzehi Concession is home to numerous families of Western Lowland Gorilla, as well as the research team that has studied their behaviour for decades, led by renowned primatologist Magdalena Bermejo. Ngaga is visited by a two-hour drive from the nearest airstrip, through savanna and rainforest biomes and past the small village of Mbomo.
More than just an airport strop, Brazzaville is a dynamic city with beautiful French colonial architecture and a rich local culture like the Le Sape (Society of Ambience Makers and Elegant People). You can spend your time here at the colourful markets that dot the city or relaxing in any of the picturesque restaurants along the banks of the mighty Congo River.
Lango places you at the secluded heart of the Congolese rainforest. The baï is a place where elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife come to bathe, feed, and socialise and acts as a magnet for huge flocks of Green Pigeons and African Grey Parrots as well as herds of Forest Buffalo and Forest Elephants. This is a bit different to other lodges you may visit. Guests arrive at Lango after an epic, two-hour river journey that begins with kayaks and ends with a wet and wonderful walk through the baï – a literal immersion in the jungle. Once there, you’ll follow the footsteps of elephants through streams and forests, train your zoom lens on magnificent birds in the baï, and dry off on a walk beneath soaring kapok trees.
At The Explorer Society, we are always discovering new pockets of wonder on our own adventures and through chats with our local logistics team. Get in touch with us to find out what hidden gems you might discover on your trip.
At The Explorer Society we firmly believe that there is no right or wrong time to go anywhere.
Instead, we think that each time of the year offers different experiences that better suit different travellers.
After all, high and low season often refers to the amount of travellers present, not whether something is ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
In general, the Congolese rainforest has two seasons: Wet and Less Wet (also known as Dry). Rain is an essential part of the ecosystem and brings a cooling effect on balmy days. Located on the Equator, temperatures fluctuate very little, ranging from 25°C to 28°C.
This is not a region to rush your travel! If you are looking to explore the Republic of the Congo, then you’ll need a minimum of a two weeks including travel time plus some time in Brazzaville either side of your stay in the Congo Basin. When on the ground, journeys time can be long with access to regions often by light aircraft with transfers by dirt road or by motor boat.
The team at The Explorer Society believe that slowing down to appreciate the destination is best, provided you aren’t sacrificing the trip quality to prolong its length.
Everyone is different, so please note that these guidelines are general in nature.
Ultimately it will depend on your own expedition’s requirements.
Planning travel should be exciting, but it can be exhausting. There is so much information and so little clarity, you often end up more confused than when you began.
Sometimes it’s simple and easy to figure out. Sometimes it means asking you more questions and diving deep into your motivations.
We’ll walk you through the whole planning and booking process. We want to make sure you are travelling on the trip that best suits you, not anyone else.
We will be there from the first moment you get in touch until after you come back home with countless memories to share.
