Straddling the Equator in Central Africa and bordered by Gabon and Cameroon, the ROC is in the midst of the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest rainforest after the Amazon, home to stunning biodiversity of animal and plant species, including Western Lowland Gorilla. There are only three private lodges in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, in the northwest of the country, and we are preparing to open two additional lodges in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, around 250 km (160 mi) to the northeast, on the border with Cameroon.

There are in fact two countries called Congo: The Republic of the Congo (ROC) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), each with its own heritage, culture, rich natural kingdom, and government. The ROC is a former French colony with its capital in Brazzaville and is safe and politically stable. The population of 5.26 million speaks mostly French. The DRC, formerly known as both Zaire and Belgian Congo, is 200 miles east of Odzala and is more than six times the size of the ROC. The capital, Kinshasa, lies directly across the Congo River from Brazzaville. The DRC, population 81.34 million.

Who Should Visit?

Anyone who wants to immerse themselves in one of the remotest, most remarkable places on earth; encounter rarely sighted wildlife, including Western Lowland Gorilla, Forest Elephant, Forest Buffalo, and African Gray Parrot; and breathe in the immaculate air of a forest barely touched by humanity.

That said, guests should be able to walk at a normal walking pace, unassisted, for more than 8 km (5 miles) a day and for at least 2 hours at a time. While not steep, terrain is uneven and is likely to include walks through beautiful rivers and marshes. We can only welcome guests 16 years and older to visit any of our lodges, due to the remote location, gorilla tracking requirements, National Park rules, and insurance protocols. Unfortunately, we are not able to make any exceptions to this rule

When To Visit

The Congolese rainforest has basically two seasons: Wet and Dry. Rain is an essential part of the ecosystem and brings a cooling effect on balmy days. And we have dry days too! Because we are on the Equator, temperatures fluctuate very little, ranging from 25°C to 28°C (77°F to 82°F). Most of our large mammals, including Western Lowland Gorilla, Forest Elephant, and Forest Buffalo, do not migrate and can be found in the area year-round. That makes any time of year a wonderful time to explore the Congo Basin. (Please reach out to inquire about specific wildlife interests so we can recommend an optimal viewing season — remembering that specific sightings are never guaranteed.)

Wet Season

(April–June & September–November)
Average Temperature: 26°–27°C (78.8°–80.6°F)
Average Rainfall: 8–11 days per month; 108–129 mm (4.2–5 in.)

Dry Season

(December–March & June–September)
Average Temperature: 25.7°C – 26.5°C (78.3°F – 80°F)
Average Rainfall: 7.5–8 days per month; 48–132 mm (1.9–5.2 in.)

Getting To Odzala

To arrive at the lodges, we operate weekly scheduled flights between Brazzaville and our private airstrip at Mboko, in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, on a LET L-410 12-seater plane. Flights are included in the journey cost. The round-trip flights operate Mondays and Thursdays only and take approximately 2 hours. The flight from Brazzaville to Mboko departs at around 1pm. The return flight from Mboko lands in Brazzaville at around 11am. Note that all arrival and departure times are dependent on weather conditions. Please note the weight limit on these internal flights: 15 kgs (33 lbs) per person in total weight, inclusive of hand luggage. We also operate all transportation within the park and between the three lodges

Pre-Departure Requirements

Within a month of booking:
Guest Details and Indemnity Form
Health Declaration Form, signed by a doctor
(Required for gorilla tracking)
Copy of a valid Covid Vaccination Certificate
Prior to departure:
Copy of Republic of the Congo visa (see below)
Copy of Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate

Health & Safety

Yellow Fever: A yellow fever vaccination is required to enter the Republic of the Congo. Guests will be required to show a certificate of vaccination (“yellow card”) upon arrival in Brazzaville.
Malaria: The lodges lie within a malarial zone; guests should consult with a medical professional on which antimalarial medication to take. We strongly recommend bringing tropical-grade insect repellent and spraying clothes with permethrin prior to departure to prevent mosquito and tick bites.
COVID-19: Guests participating in gorilla tracking will be given a rapid PCR test prior to departing Brazzaville for Mboko airstrip, and an additional rapid test prior to their first gorilla encounter. This is to prevent transmission of the virus to the gorillas. Currently, there are no COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements to enter the Republic of the Congo.

Obtaining A Visa

A visa is required to visit the Republic of the Congo. We will provide guests with a letter of invitation, which they then present to the nearest embassy or consulate. This application should be submitted at least four weeks in advance of the departure date. If guests are unable to obtain a visa in advance, we can, with proper notice, arrange for a visa upon arrival to be issued at the airport in Brazzaville.

What To Pack

When packing, please keep in mind the 15kg weight limit on the internal flights between Brazzaville and Odzala-Kokoua National Park. (We can store any excess baggage for you.) On international flights, we highly recommend packing essential items and two days’ worth of clothing in carry-on baggage in case checked luggage is misdirected. Soft-sided luggage is recommended

Equipment & Other

All camera equipment should be suitable for humid and possibly wet environments. Lighting conditions can be challenging in the forest; gorilla welfare protocols prohibit flashes and the typical viewing distance is at least 10 m (32 ft). A macro lens is helpful for photographing insects and plants. You will need to carry all your own equipment. Advance clearance is required for drones and large-scale camera equipment. Sunglasses & sunscreen Binoculars (night vision a bonus) Camera equipment Anti-fog spray for lenses, spare batteries and memory cards or film
Adaptors (lodges use European plugs; 500W max)
Zip-lock bags and a lightweight dry bag for electronic equipment
Torch or flashlight (headlamp recommended)
Personal toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion provided)
Biodegradable sanitary products, if possible
Medication (EpiPen recommended for those with severe allergies)
Insect repellent (tropical-grade – natural products such as citronella are not recommended)

Clothing

As the rainforest and baï environment can be muddy and wet, we recommend bringing enough suitable clothing (including socks) to allow time for laundered items to dry in the often humid and wet conditions. Ideal clothing is quick-drying; lightweight; dark green, khaki, or brown; and has long sleeves or trouser legs. Black, blue, and other dark-colored clothes are not recommended, as they may attract tsetse flies near the water. Avoid wearing bright colors in the forest. 2 to 3 fast-drying shirts with long sleeves
2 to 3 pairs of fast-drying long pants
Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes, ideally lightweight and fast-drying (not sandals or heavy boots)
Water shoes, booties, or old running shoes (which may be left behind) for river activities
A light fleece or jumper for evenings and early mornings
2 pairs of socks per day, preferably lightweight and fast-drying
Sun hat
Bathing suit
Rain jacket
Casual clothes and comfortable shoes for relaxing at the lodge

Paperwork

Visa and Letter of Invitation Yellow fever vaccination record Cash in USD or EUR (see Currency, below) Printed copy of travel and medical insurance, including policy reference number, name of insurer, name(s) of covered person(s), and emergency contact number(s). Please also include contact information for a friend/family member in your home country Currency The Republic of Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo are cash countries, with limited acceptance of credit cards. Guests are advised to arrive with plenty of USD or EUR in cash to use for purchases in Brazzaville and for tips at the lodges. ATMs are available in Brazzaville, but compatibility with U.S. or European cards is not guaranteed. Note that if you plan to use or exchange US dollars, most establishments only accept notes dated 2013 or newer, in denominations of $5 or greater, and in good condition. At our lodges, only cash is accepted in either USD, EUR, or Congolese Francs (XAF).