THE GREAT EXPLORERS: 15 NIGHTS FROM DZANGA SANGHA NATIONAL PARK TO BRAZZAVILLE

Day – 1 Arrival in Brazzaville

Arrival in Brazzaville (Air France flight).

Transfer 5 min

➢ Overnight in a 5* hotel

➢ Dinner not included

Day 2 – Transfer to Ouesso and fly over the evergreen tropical forest

1 hour – 45 minute flight in the morning in a 70 seat jet. Through the portholes, we can see all the primary forest. Such a view of one of the largest primary forests of the world will stay in our memory forever. Embarkation during the afternoon. During the afternoon, we will visit the war monument at Mbiru where French and German during the First world war fought. Just behind, walk through the pristine primary forest to discover the ecosystem.

➢ Night at a local Hotel 

Days 3 to 7 Immersion in the Tri-National Sangha.

Situated in the north-western Congo Basin, where Cameroon, Central African Republic and Congo meet, the site encompasses three contiguous national parks totaling around 750,000 ha. Much of the site is unaffected by human activity and features a wide range of humid tropical forest ecosystems with rich flora and fauna, including Nile crocodiles and goliath tigerfish, a large predator. Forest clearings support herbaceous species and Sangha is home to considerable populations of forest elephants, critically endangered western lowland gorilla, and endangered chimpanzee. 

*For cruises with more than 24 passengers, 4 passengers will spend 2 nights in Nouabalé Ndoki for gorilla tracking, then they will join the others and follow the Dzanga Sangha program. The Nouabalé Ndoki gorilla tracking is advised for people with good walking ability.

Day 3 – The Tri-national of the Sangha

We sail up the upper Sangha River towards Bayanga in the Central African Republic on launch boats for a comfortable 7.5 hours journey surrounded by pristine forest. Along the way we can see local villages and settlements. Based on the season we observe the many birds or if we’re lucky some monkeys of the region. We arrive in the afternoon at our lodge for a nice sundowner overlooking the Sangha.

➢ Night at a lodge on the river

Day 4 – Low land gorilla tracking

We leave the lodge in the morning for a 45min drive to the gorilla base camp where we start our tracking. On the trail, we can see many other animals. Accompanied by Baaka trackers, we follow the signs of the groups passing through. Arrived near them, we observe them about ten meters away, and they observe us. The young bicker, the females feed, others rest. The silverback is watching. The largest measure up to 1.70 meters. So as not to disturb them, after an hour we will leave, with images in our heads. 

➢ Night at a lodge on the river

Day 5 – The elephant village

Early in the morning we will visit the famous Dzangha Bai. Known as the Elephant Village, up to 150 elephants can be spotted in a day. Sitting high up in the trees we will have a chance to spot many animals including buffalos, bongos, sitatunga, cephalophus etc. We take the time to observe the animals from the platform before return to our lodge.

➢ Night at a lodge on the river

Day 6 – The Hokous Salt Flats and its wild animals

Departure in the morning for the seven baïs called Hokous baïs. During these walks we have the chance to see a variety of animals including elephants, gorillas, cephalophores, forest hogs and many birds. During our walk, our BaAka trackers will find the groups Agile Mangabeys followed by the scientists. These silver-grey monkeys exhibit remarkable gracefulness as they navigate the forest canopy with ease, using their long limbs and prehensile tails. Agile Mangabeys are highly social creatures, often engaging in playful behaviours such as chasing each other, leaping through the trees, and engaging in mock battles. They communicate through a diverse range of vocalisations, including chirps, squeals, and grunts, which play a crucial role in maintaining social bonds and coordinating group activities. 

➢ Night at a lodge on the river

Day 7 – A day with the Pygmees BaAka

In the morning, we set out for an immersion into the world of the BaAka to discover the traditions of these emblematic people of the forest. Depending on the season, you may participate in a traditional net hunt, discover plants used in traditional medicine, collect honey, or engage in basket fishing. All this in the ever-joyous atmosphere of the forest peoples. Lunch at the Lodge. In the afternoon, we will experience the fascinating water drumming by the BaAka. Striking the water with their palms, the music resonates like a drum from another time. We stroll through Bayanga.

➢ Night at a lodge on the river

Day 8 – Return to Ouesso

After spending the last four days in some of the least visited places on Earth, we return to Ouesso on our launch boat (7 hours). The chance to enjoy one last time the pristine forest before seeing it from above the next day. 

➢ Night at the local hotel

Day 9 – Transfer to Oyo

In the morning, we leave for our bus trip to Ouesso through the tropical forest and the bush (6-hour drive). We drive on the east boarder of the Odzala Kokoua National Park. In Oyo, we embark on Princesse Ngalessa and start cruising the Alima.

➢ Night on board

Day 10 – The traditional medicine

We navigate on the Alima River. This beautiful narrow winding river is surrounded by swamp forests. Passing the many bends of the river, along the banks we can see many charming raffia villages. In the morning, we reach a small tributary with black water where the locals call crocodiles to hunt them.  In the afternoon, we visit the village of Mondongo. This village, also made primarily using raffia, is home to Moye People. We met a local guide who explains the traditional pharmacopoeia and the preparation of remedies. The swamp forest is teeming with plants the villagers use for traditional medicine to treat diseases and injuries. At night, we will go on launch boats to listen the forest.

➢ Night on board

Day 11 – The Alima river and the visit of Mossaka

We continue our journey to the village of Bonda. Depending on the season, we explore the flooded forest by canoe or kayak through the tributaries. In the afternoon, we reach the majestic Congo River and the town of Mossaka. We explore the colonial remains and the local market, before visiting the alleys lined with salted fish drying racks – a tradition that made Mossaka famous. We arrive for the night at the village of Likendzé

➢ Night on board

Day 12 – The fishing village of Likendze and biding in Sangha River 

Early in the morning, we set off on a birdwatching outing in search of emblematic birds: ospreys, palm-nut vultures, sea eagles, graylings, kingfishers, weavers, herons, storks, ibises, hornbills, magpies, Brazza’s kingfishers, and the discreet turaco. Then, in the morning, we discover local fishing techniques and the activities specific to the village of Likendze! In the afternoon, we sail between the islands of the Congo River. The river widens here (over 10 km), forming a labyrinth of islands where seasonal fishing villages are established.

From the observation deck, we watch the fascinating fishing boats, whalers, and long, flat barges pass by. Like floating villages, they transport goods, livestock, and passengers from one town to another.

➢ Night on board

Day 13 – Bonobos

In the early afternoon, we leave the boat and head by 4×4 to the camp, a two-hour drive through a hilly landscape. In the afternoon, over a beer, we learn more about the conservation projects carried out with local communities.

➢ Night in a tented camp on a camp bed or in bungalows

Day 14 Tracking bonobos 

At dawn, we head into the forest to position ourselves beneath the nests. As soon as they wake up, we observe the bonobos stretching, socializing, and feeding. Bonobos, a species endemic to the DRC, are humans’ closest relatives (98.7% shared DNA). Where you are, it’s the only place in the world where it’s possible to observe semi-habituated groups.

We follow them for a while before returning aboard the Princesse Ngalessa in the late morning.

In the afternoon, we reach the Lefini estuary. If conditions permit, we’ll take a boat trip to observe the hippos.

➢ Night on board

Day 15 – Princess Ngalifourou and the Téké Kingdom

In the morning, we arrive at Ngabe, one of the ancient capitals of the Téké kingdom. We ascend through the village to visit the current queen, Ngalifourou. As the guardian of “Nkwembali,” the spiritual deity of the Batéké, she is the person authorised to transfer power to the new king, the Makoko. We witness a kébé kébé ritual, a dance and an initiatory society from Congo. The ordinary form of the kebe-kebe resembles whirling dervishes, wrapped in raffia robes adorned with feathers from various birds, and manipulating a puppet that generally represents a painted Koyo head showing the specific scarifications of the ethnic group. In the evening we start sailing to Brazzaville. 

➢ Night on board

Day 16 – Brazza and the Sape

Disembarkation. Visit to the Basilica of Ste. Anne, Congo Basin Museum, Poto-Poto artistic school. Savorgnan de Brazza Mausoleum. Meeting with La Sape – Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People on board. Debarkment after Lunch.

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