Welcome to the Jungle, trip to Central African Republic, Republic of Congo and Gabon
Welcome to the African Jungle is an expedition to the equatorial forests of Africa to discover its wildlife, the way of life of its native inhabitants and their initiation rituals. On this trip to Central African Republic, Republic of Congo and Gabon we will visit three of the best national parks on the African continent, one in each country, as well as getting to know the culture of the Baaka people and the Bwiti rituals of Gabon. This is the kind of expedition we like, a combination of adventure, improvisation, national parks, ethnic groups and ceremonies.
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 of all Africa’s forest reserves. We will visit the Elephant Bai, track mangabeys and walk through the salt pans.
- Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in RoCongo: this ‘last paradise in the world’ as defined by a National Geographic team has been semi-closed for the last few years and in fact remains so. On this expedition to the jungles of Africa we will have the opportunity to spend two nights at the Mondika scientific camp and do some tracking of lowland gorillas. We will spend one night in the Wali Bei and go trekking with the forest inhabitants.
- Tracking of lowland gorillas in the Republic of Congo.
- Ivindo National Park in Gabon: this remote and pristine place is home to the imposing Kongou waterfalls, which we will visit. These three National Parks are part of the UNESCO
- Navigate the Sangha River, one of the most beautiful tributaries of the Congo River that flows through forests and small villages.
- Baaka pygmies in the forest, where we will do different activities with the Baaka such as hunting and fishing. We will spend the night with them in the forest.
- 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 do this expedition, what to expect, how many people in the group?
Travel in a small group of 7 passengers
This trip is limited to 7 passengers plus guide (Austerio Alonso). Many of the activities in the national parks are limited 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.
This ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ expedition is a real challenge, which motivates us a lot. As usual every year we offer you… at least… an exclusive trip of the kind 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 vehicles.
- Canoeing on the Sangha River and in the Ivindo National Park.
- We will have to use motorbike taxis on several occasions.
- Public transport in Gabon to travel to the capital city.
- On foot, as we will make several trips on foot.
What to expect on this trip? You can expect a deep immersion in the forests and wilderness of the African bush. Wildlife is almost 90% guaranteed in places like Dzanga Sangha or Ndoki. You can expect to have contact with local populations such as the Baaka, Bantu populations in Congo and Gabon and to be able to attend a Bwiti ceremony (or maybe more). You can expect to live an adventure in capital letters.
What not to expect? In places like Nouabalé-Ndoki, simply having access in recent years is a privilege. There are no meals and no one to serve or prepare them, we will do it ourselves. We will eat basic food, sandwiches, tins and local dishes if available. Don’t expect ready and adequate transport at each location. We will improvise transport for much 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.
What is included in the price of this trip?
- Internal charter flight from Bangui to Bayanga.
- All entrance fees and fees for the 3 national parks, including guides, trackers and porters if necessary.
- All transport necessary to cover the route
- All accommodation and camping
- Two nights full board at Doli Lodge (RCA)
- Visit to the Elephant Bai at Dzanga (CAR)
- Mangabei tracking in Dzanga (RCA) and walk through the park’s salt pans
- Socialising with the Baaka and activities.
- Canoe down the Sangha River and all transport for the trek.
- One hour gorilla permit in Nouabalé-Ndoki (Congo).
- Two nights camping at the Mondika scientific centre in Nouabalé-Ndoki (Congo).
- Night in the Wali Bai of Nouabalé-Ndoki in camping (Congo)
- Guided walking tours in the forest with the inhabitants of Bomassa in Congo
- Two days and one night in Ivindo to visit the waterfalls (Gabon)
- Bwiti ceremony in Gabon
- Small tents for individual use
What is not included in the price of this trip?
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Meals and drinks except in some places like Ndoki or Dzanga Sangha where meals are included.
- sleeping bag and mat
