Welcome to the African Jungle, trip to CAR, Congo and Gabon

Welcome to the Jungle, trip to Central African Republic, Republic of Congo and Gabon

Welcome to the African Jungle is a special journey to discover the natural scenery, wildlife, culture and rituals of the forests of Central Africa. On this journey through rivers and remote trails, we will discover some of the most incredible wonders of Africa such as the Bai of Dzanga and Langoue where dozens of elephants socialise with sitatungas, buffalo and numerous gorillas as in the case of Langoue. We will do the lowland gorilla trek and the Agile Mangabeys trek in RCA and sail to the Kongou Falls, an impressive 3 km wide waterfall that elephants often use as a spa. In Congo we will meet the famous Sapeur with whom we will share a few beers. We will go into the forest with several Baaka families to learn about their ancestral way of life as hunter-gatherers. We will conclude our journey in Libreville, Gabon, where in the Bwiti ceremonies the powerful Iboga connects the initiates with the spirit world.

Nouabale Ndoki — River Sangha around Bomassa, gate of the NP of ***Nouabalé-Ndoki*** **in Congo**

Trip to Central African Republic

We started our trip in Bangui, capital of Central African Republic. Bangui is a pleasant city, easy to get around and a perfect introduction to the trip. After visiting the monuments dedicated to the Russian Wagner and enjoying a few beers by the Bangui River, we will take the flight to Bayanga.

The flight will take us just over an hour to Bayanga, directly into the jungle. Welcome to the jungle! We start.

Dzanga Sangha, natural wonder of central Africa

As we have commented many times, Dzanga Sangha is one of the best parks in Africa. The Elephant Bai or the Agile Mangabeys trekking, as always, spectacular, and very soon in July 2025 it will be possible to visit the new gorilla group. On our last stay we were able to see 148 elephants at the same time in the Dzanga Bai…incredible.

3-day trekking expedition with the Baaka in the forest

We will walk with the Baaka through the forest for almost 40 kilometers and three days to the border with Congo. One of the best experiences that can be lived in Africa, although we have to warn that it is hard. We will be able to contemplate the daily life of the Baaka in the jungle and above all to see how they manage and the immense knowledge they have of the forest. Hunting, gathering and fishing. In addition to their unique songs at night…

Trip to Congo (RoC)

We continue navigating the Sangha River through the forests that form the triple transboundary park of Lobeke (Cameroon), Dzanga Sangha (Central African Republic) and Ndoki (Congo). By speedboat it can take two to three hours to get from the CAR border post to Bomassa in Congo. In Congo we will go back into the forest with the Baaka to attend a ceremony where we will be able to see some masks of the forest spirits. We will also meet a group of sapeurs in the city of Ouesso.

Trip to Gabon, Ivindo National Park

We will enter Gabon through a remote border to continue to Makokou. In this Gabonese town we will organise our visit to the Ivindo National Park where we will spend about 4 days. Then we will travel to the capital of Gabon where we will attend a powerful Bwiti ceremony.

Kongou Falls in Ivindo

It will take about 3 hours by canoe to reach the impressive Kongou Waterfalls. The journey there is spectacular as it winds through thick jungle. We will spend a night in a basic but comfortable camp from where we will hike to see some panoramic views of the waterfalls.

The Ivindo River spreads through the jungle creating a myriad of islands and waterfalls. If you are lucky you can sometimes see elephants crossing the river or enjoy a swim in the waterfalls. Depending on the level of the river it is possible to see more or less panoramic views. We will do two walking routes to visit different waterfalls. If the river level is low we will approach the big canyon of Ivindo.

Kongou Falls Gabon — Drone photo over the Grand Canyon of Ivindo

Ivindo National Park — Elephants in the Spa of Kongou

Langoue Bai in Ivindo, Gabón

The Langoue Bai is another true wonder of nature, another of those unique places in Africa. Here the density of elephants is not as high as in Dzanga Bai but it is possible to find groups of elephants coexisting with groups of gorillas and sitatungas during a good part of the year. It is a much more elongated Bai with a river running through it, creating an extraordinary landscape which can be seen from a three-level platform.

Langoue Bai Ivindo — Langoue Bai in Ivindo

Langoue Bai Gabon — Gorillas in Langoue Bai, Ivindo

Bwiti in Gabón, the forest culture

These ceremonies are a spiritual connection with the ancestors and spirits through the Iboga (bois sacré). Bwiti night ceremonies take place in many parts of Gabon. Depending on the ethnic group, the region or the type of ceremony, there is a wide variety of rituals.

Bwiti Gabon — Bwiti Misoko ceremony, Puvi (Pygmy) ethnic group

What will we see on this expedition? These are the highlights of the trip

Dzanga Sangha National Park in CAR: Perhaps the most renowned and impressive forest reserve in all of Africa. We will visit the Elephant Bai, track agile mangabeys and walk through the salt pans.
Expedition of 3 days on hiking in the jungle living with the Baaka pygmies. From Bayanga we will walk to the border with Congo for about 40 kilometers.
Tracking of lowland gorillas in Dzanga Sangha
Ivindo National Park in Gabon: this pristine and remote place is home to the imposing Kongou waterfalls, which we will visit, and the Bai de Langoue, a wonder of nature where gorillas and elephants can be found for a good part of the year.
Navigate the Sangha River, one of the most beautiful tributaries of the Congo River that flows through forests and small villages.
Meet the Congo Sapeurs in the Nothern part of the country
Bwitti ceremony in Gabon. We will attend one of the most powerful and impressive ceremonies in Central Africa. We will try to attend more than one different ceremony.

How will we organize this expedition, what to expect, how many people in the group?

Small group of 7 people

This trip is limited to 7 passengers plus the guide (Austerio Alonso). Many of the activities are limited in the national parks to 4 passengers, such as gorilla tracking. So we will rotate in two groups of 4 and 4 per day. While one group does one activity, the others do another.

Dzanga Sangha — Sailing the Sangha river to Congo

This “Welcome to the Jungle” expedition is a real challenge, which motivates us a lot. As usual every year we propose you, at least, an exclusive trip that may never be repeated. For this trip to Central African Republic, Republic of Congo and Gabon we will take almost every means of transport you can imagine.

Charter flight from Bangui to Bayanga (Dzanga Sangha)
4×4
Canoes to navigate the Sangha River and in the Ivindo National Park.
Mototaxis
Public transport sometimes
Hiking in many different places

Flight Bangui to Bayanga — Charter flight from Bangui to Bayanga in CAR

What to expect about this trip? you can expect a deep immersion in the forests and wilderness of the African jungles. Wildlife is almost 90% guaranteed in places like Dzanga Sangha, spectacular natural sites like the Kongou waterfalls. You can expect to have contact with local populations such as the Baaka with whom we will live for several days in the jungle, Bantu populations in Congo and Gabon and be able to attend a ceremony (or maybe more) of Bwiti. You can expect to live an adventure in capital letters.

What not to expect? It is possible that when we travel to remote places we will not have access to any comfort. In the jungle we will cook for ourselves. We will eat basic, snacks, canned food and local dishes if available. Do not expect ready and adequate transportation in each place. We will improvise transportation for a good part of the trip, sometimes it will be better and sometimes worse. Don’t expect no rain, no heat and no insects to eat you. If you’ve made it this far, you obviously know that.