Discovery of the Dzanga Sangha Park
SECURITY
Dzanga Sangha National Park lies at the south-eastern tip of the Central African Republic, straddling the border between the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo. The region is sparsely populated and very safe.
LEVEL
To track Mangabeys you need to be able to walk for 3 hours in the forest on flat ground.
Discovery of the Dzanga Sangha Park in the Central African Republic: 5 nights extension
5 DAYS Country: Central African Republic
Situated in the north-west of the Congo Basin, at the junction of Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Congo, the Sangha Tri-national, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, encompasses three contiguous national parks totalling around 750,000 ha. Much of the site is unaffected by human activity and features a wide range of tropical rainforest ecosystems with rich flora and fauna.
Day 1 – Transfer to Ouesso and flight over the evergreen rainforest
This morning we take a one-hour to 45-minute flight from Ouesso, or a 4-hour flight depending on the day of departure. Through the windows, we can see the entire primary forest. Such a view of one of the world’s largest primary forests will stay with us forever. On arrival, we check into our local hotel before strolling through the border town of Ouesso.
- Overnight in a local hotel.
Day 2 – The Sangha Tri-national
We travel up the upper reaches of the Sangha River towards Bayanga in the Central African Republic on a motorboat for a comfortable 7.5-hour journey through virgin forest. Along the way, we can see villages and local settlements. Depending on the time of year, we can see many birds or, if we’re lucky, some of the local monkeys. We arrive at our lodge in the afternoon for a pleasant aperitif at sunset with a view over the Sangha.
- Night at our lodge on the river
Day 3 – Baï Hokou and the Mangabeys
We leave in the morning for Baï Hokou (1h30 by Jeep). Once there, we meet our BaAka trackers with whom we will track the Mangabeys. These silvery-grey monkeys can be seen on the ground or in the trees, where they display remarkable grace, using their long limbs and prehensile tails. Agile Mangabeys are highly social creatures, often engaging in games such as chasing each other, jumping from tree to tree and simulating fights. Depending on our tracking, we may come across a group of over 100 individuals. We enjoy a picnic lunch at the base of Mangabey before returning to the lodge in the afternoon.
- Overnight at our lodge on the river.
Day 4 – Dzanga Baï: the elephant village
This morning we visit the famous Dzanga Baï. Known as the elephant village, up to 150 elephants can be seen here in a single day. Perched high in the trees, we’ll have the chance to spot a host of animals, including buffalo, bongo, sitatunga, colobus and duiker monkeys and more. We will take time to observe the animals from the platform before returning to our lodge. We will also have the opportunity to interact with the scientists on the platform.
- Overnight in a lodge on the river.
Day 5 – A day with the BaAka pygmies.
In the morning, we set off to immerse ourselves in the world of the BaAka and discover the traditions of this emblematic forest people. Depending on the season, you can take part in a traditional net hunt, discover plants used in traditional medicine, harvest honey or try your hand at basket fishing. All this in the ever cheerful atmosphere of the forest dwellers. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, we’ll discover the fascinating BaAka water drumming. Striking the water with their flippers, the music sounds like a drum from another time. We stroll through Bayanga.
- Overnight in a riverside lodge.
Day 6 – Return to Ouesso or Bangui by plane
After spending the last three days in one of the least-visited parks on the planet, we return to Ouesso by canoe or to Bangui by plane.
Discovery of the Dzanga Sangha Park in the Central African Republic: 5 nights extension
6 DAYS Country: Central African Republic
Situated in the north-west of the Congo Basin, at the junction of Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Congo, the Sangha Tri-national, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, encompasses three contiguous national parks totalling around 750,000 ha. Much of the site is unaffected by human activity and features a wide range of tropical rainforest ecosystems with rich flora and fauna.
Day 1 – Transfer to Ouesso and flight over the evergreen rainforest
This morning we take a one-hour to 45-minute flight from Ouesso, or a 4-hour flight depending on the day of departure. Through the windows, we can see the entire primary forest. Such a view of one of the world’s largest primary forests will stay with us forever. On arrival, we check into our local hotel before strolling through the border town of Ouesso.
- Overnight in a local hotel.
Day 2 – The Sangha Tri-national
We travel up the upper reaches of the Sangha River towards Bayanga in the Central African Republic on a motorboat for a comfortable 7.5-hour journey through virgin forest. Along the way, we can see villages and local settlements. Depending on the time of year, we can see many birds or, if we’re lucky, some of the local monkeys. We arrive at our lodge in the afternoon for a pleasant aperitif at sunset with a view over the Sangha.
- Night at our lodge on the river
Day 3 – Baï Hokou and the Mangabeys
We leave in the morning for Baï Hokou (1h30 by Jeep). Once there, we meet our BaAka trackers with whom we will track the Mangabeys. These silvery-grey monkeys can be seen on the ground or in the trees, where they display remarkable grace, using their long limbs and prehensile tails. Agile Mangabeys are highly social creatures, often engaging in games such as chasing each other, jumping from tree to tree and simulating fights. Depending on our tracking, we may come across a group of over 100 individuals. We enjoy a picnic lunch at the base of Mangabey before returning to the lodge in the afternoon.
- Overnight at our lodge on the river.
Day 4 – Dzanga Baï: the elephant village
This morning we visit the famous Dzanga Baï. Known as the elephant village, up to 150 elephants can be seen here in a single day. Perched high in the trees, we’ll have the chance to spot a host of animals, including buffalo, bongo, sitatunga, colobus and duiker monkeys and more. We will take time to observe the animals from the platform before returning to our lodge. We will also have the opportunity to interact with the scientists on the platform.
- Overnight in a lodge on the river.
Day 5 – A day with the BaAka pygmies.
In the morning, we set off to immerse ourselves in the world of the BaAka and discover the traditions of this emblematic forest people. Depending on the season, you can take part in a traditional net hunt, discover plants used in traditional medicine, harvest honey or try your hand at basket fishing. All this in the ever cheerful atmosphere of the forest dwellers. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, we’ll discover the fascinating BaAka water drumming. Striking the water with their flippers, the music sounds like a drum from another time. We stroll through Bayanga.
- Overnight in a riverside lodge.
Day 6 – Return to Ouesso or Bangui by plane
After spending the last three days in one of the least-visited parks on the planet, we return to Ouesso by canoe or to Bangui by plane.
LEVEL
To track Mangabeys you need to be able to walk for 3 hours in the forest on flat ground.
SECURITY
Dzanga Sangha National Park lies at the south-eastern tip of the Central African Republic, straddling the border between the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo. The region is sparsely populated and very safe.