- Overview
- Map & Itinerary
- Essential Info
- Pics & Vids
- Dates & Prices
Highlights
- Venture into remote Congo Basin rainforest alongside expert BaAka trackers
- Track gorillas twice, in the Republic of Congo and Central African Republic
- Sleep in platform camp beds overlooking forest elephants visiting the waterhole
- Journey along the Sangha River, passing riverside villages and vast rainforest
- Explore with BaAka trackers, drawing on Indigenous forest knowledge and wildlife expertise
- Refill your complimentary Water-to-Go bottle, helping reduce disposable plastic bottles along the way.
Overview
Deep in the Congo Basin, your BaAka tracker pauses, listening. Through the leaves, a western lowland gorilla comes into view. You watch quietly as the family feeds, rests and moves through the forest. Reaching this moment has been an adventure in itself.
Our pioneering 13-day expedition through the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic takes you into the rainforest landscapes of the UNESCO-listed Sangha Tri-National. By road, river and on foot, you’ll reach remote wildlife clearings, stay at a gorilla research camp and discover forest life alongside the people who know it intimately.
From Brazzaville, travel north across the Equator before boats carry you along the Sangha River to Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. With expert BaAka trackers, follow forest trails and wade through shallow water to reach Mondika research camp. Sleep in simple platform tents surrounded by rainforest sounds, then set out in search of a habituated western lowland gorilla family.
At Wali Baï, the trees give way to a mineral-rich clearing where forest elephants come to drink, feed and bathe. As daylight fades, settle into a camp bed beneath a mosquito net. Tonight, the observation platform is your bedroom, with the possibility of rumbling, splashing elephants beyond.
Continue upriver past riverside villages into the Central African Republic, where Doli Lodge offers comfortable wooden bungalows overlooking the Sangha. A second gorilla trek, in a second country, brings another opportunity to observe these remarkable animals, with each encounter shaped by the family’s movements.
Time with BaAka communities introduces forest knowledge and traditions, from seasonal food gathering to rhythmic water drumming. At Dzanga Baï, the “Village of Elephants”, watch wildlife emerge from the rainforest, while walks through the Hokou clearings offer further chances to encounter elephants, elusive antelope and colourful birdlife.
Your journey returns along the Sangha, finishing with Brazzaville’s art and culture.
Expect humid days, muddy trails, long transfers and simple facilities at remote camps. Good fitness, patience and flexibility are essential, with conditions shaping the journey and wildlife setting its own schedule.
For those willing to embrace it, this is a rare opportunity to spend time deep in the Congo Basin, guided by local knowledge and immersed in the daily life of an extraordinary forest.
Welcome to Congo, Arrive in Brazzaville
Mbote! Welcome to the Republic of Congo, where your journey into the Congo Basin begins beside the river that gives the country its name.
On arrival at Maya-Maya International Airport (BZV), timed with the recommended Adventurous Ewe flight, you’ll be met for your transfer to the Radisson Blu hotel in Brazzaville.
Settle into your room and take some time to unwind after your flight. This evening is free, giving you the flexibility to eat at the hotel or venture out, depending on your arrival time and energy levels. Tomorrow brings an early start and the journey north towards Ouesso, leaving the capital behind as you head towards the forests of the Sangha region.
Included
Transfer: Brazzaville Airport to hotel
Accommodation: Radisson Blu hotel (twin-share basis)
Meals: Not included
Travel North from Brazzaville to Ouesso
Leaving Brazzaville after breakfast, you begin the long journey north towards Ouesso, the gateway to the Sangha region. Today is largely spent on the road, giving you a sense of the distance between the capital and the remote forests you’ll explore.
The road takes you through changing landscapes, with villages and stretches of countryside passing beyond your window. A lunch stop in Oyo breaks the journey, offering time to stretch your legs before continuing north.
Near Makoua, you cross the Equator, a geographical milestone on your route into the northern Congo Basin. By the time you reach Ouesso, you’ll have travelled deep into the country, ready to exchange the road for the Sangha River tomorrow.
Settle into your local hotel, share dinner with your fellow travellers and rest before the next stage of your expedition.
Travel details
Journey time: Approximately 10 hours by road
Included
Transfer: Brazzaville to Ouesso
Accommodation: Local hotel in Ouesso (twin-share basis)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Journey by Boat from Ouesso to Bomassa
After breakfast, you leave Ouesso by speedboat, exchanging the road for the Sangha River. Forest lines the banks as you travel towards Bomassa, the gateway to Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. Seen from the water, the scale of the rainforest begins to unfold, with dense foliage stretching beyond the river’s bends.
Arriving in Bomassa, you settle in at the Wildlife Conservation Society headquarters and share lunch before exploring on foot. An afternoon botanical walk offers a closer look at the forest vegetation, bringing your attention from the vast canopy to the plants growing around you.
Back at your accommodation, there’s time to rest before dinner with your fellow travellers. Tomorrow, you’ll leave the river behind and head deeper into the forest towards Mondika, where your first gorilla tracking experience awaits.
Travel details
Boat journey: Approximately 4 hours
Included
Transfer: Speedboat from Ouesso to Bomassa
Accommodation: Wildlife Conservation Society headquarters
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel from Bomassa and Trek to Mondika Forest Camp
Leaving Bomassa by 4WD, you head towards the Djéké Triangle before continuing on foot to Mondika. With BaAka trackers leading the way, you follow forest trails beneath the canopy, crossing a river as you venture further from the road.
The walk brings you into the habitat of western lowland gorillas, where dense vegetation makes local knowledge essential. Your trackers’ familiarity with this forest shapes the journey, helping you navigate terrain that can be muddy and uneven.
After approximately 8km, you reach Mondika, a long-established research site where scientists study gorilla behaviour and habituation. For the next 2 nights, home is a tent on a raised platform, with bucket showers and dry toilets.
Settle into camp and share dinner as daylight fades beneath the trees. Tomorrow brings an early start to search for the gorillas whose forest you now share.
Travel & trekking details
Transfer: 4WD from Bomassa towards the Djéké Triangle
Trekking distance: Approximately 8km
Trekking time: Approximately 2.5 hours
Included
Accommodation: Mondika forest camp, platform tents
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Track Western Lowland Gorillas from Mondika Camp
An early start takes you back beneath the canopy with your trackers, searching for a habituated group of western lowland gorillas. Their movements determine your route, so patience is part of the experience as you follow trails through the undergrowth.
When the group is located, you’ll have approximately 1 hour to observe from a respectful distance. Walking gives way to watching: a gorilla feeding, movement among the leaves or an exchange between group members. There’s time to notice individual behaviour and the family relationships that researchers have spent years studying.
Returning to Mondika, the afternoon offers time to rest, with the option to cool off in the river near camp. Over dinner, you can compare what you noticed with your fellow travellers before another night surrounded by forest.
Gorilla tracking details
Viewing time: Approximately 1 hour once the gorillas are located
Tracking duration: Varies according to the gorillas’ movements and conditions
Included
Accommodation: Mondika forest camp, platform tents
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities across Days 4 and 5 may run in a different order to accommodate tracking arrangements. Heavy rain can delay or prevent gorilla tracking.
Trek from Mondika to Bomassa and Wali Baï
After breakfast, you leave Mondika and retrace the forest trail before transferring back to Bomassa. Lunch brings a pause between 2 very different forest experiences: the close surroundings of gorilla habitat and the open clearing awaiting you at Wali Baï.
An afternoon walk leads through the trees to a raised observation platform overlooking the baï, a forest clearing visited by elephants and other wildlife. Settle in and watch the forest edge. An elephant may emerge quietly from the trees, while buffalo and birds also visit this open space.
Tonight, you stay on the roofed platform, sleeping in camp beds beneath mosquito nets. A cold evening meal keeps arrangements simple, allowing you to remain beside the clearing as daylight fades. With the forest around you and the possibility of elephants moving nearby, this is a night to listen as much as look.
Trekking details
Walk to Wali Baï: Approximately 1 hour
Included
Transfer: Return transfer to Bomassa following the trek from Mondika
Accommodation: Wali Baï observation platform, camp beds with mosquito nets
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and cold dinner
Travel by River from Bomassa to Bayanga
Morning brings a final chance to watch the clearing before leaving Wali Baï and returning to Bomassa. Today, you take to the Sangha River again, travelling upstream towards Bayanga in the Central African Republic.
From the boat, the forest opens into a different perspective. Dense canopy follows the riverbanks, interrupted by riverside villages and glimpses of daily life beside the water. Look out for birdlife along the banks and, perhaps, monkeys moving through the trees as you continue through this vast forest landscape.
After approximately 4 hours on the river, you reach Bayanga and settle into Doli Lodge. Overlooking the Sangha, the lodge offers a comfortable change after your forest camps and observation platform stay.
There’s time to rest and take in your riverside surroundings before dinner. Tomorrow, you’ll head back beneath the canopy for another opportunity to observe western lowland gorillas.
Travel details
Boat journey: Approximately 4 hours
Included
Transfer: Boat from Bomassa to Bayanga
Accommodation: Doli Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Gorilla Tracking from Bayanga into Dzanga-Sangha
After breakfast beside the Sangha River, a drive takes you to the tracking base, where you meet the team who will lead you into the forest. The terrain is mostly flat but uneven underfoot, with roots, mud and dense vegetation making this a very different walk from an open mountain trail.
Following the trackers, you search for a habituated group of western lowland gorillas. Their whereabouts shape the morning, with time spent listening and looking for signs of recent movement.
Once the group is located, you’ll have approximately 1 hour to observe, following your trackers’ instructions on distance and behaviour. A feeding youngster or a silverback resting among the leaves may hold your attention, revealing details you missed during your first encounter at Mondika.
Return to Doli Lodge to rest and share your observations over dinner, with the Sangha River beside you once more.
Travel & trekking details
Drive to tracking base: Approximately 1 hour
Forest trek: Approximately 2.5–4 hours
Gorilla viewing: Approximately 1 hour once located
Tracking group size: Maximum 3 visitors per session
Included
Transfers: Return vehicle transfers to the tracking base
Accommodation: Doli Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Explore BaAka Forest Life and Visit Dzanga Baï
Today brings time with BaAka community members, whose knowledge of the rainforest has developed over generations. Activities follow the season and may include gathering honey, learning about medicinal plants, basket fishing or accompanying a traditional net hunt. Water drumming offers another connection with local traditions, as hands striking the river’s surface create surprisingly rich sounds.
In the afternoon, you head to Dzanga Baï, a forest clearing known for its gatherings of forest elephants. From the observation platform, watch as animals emerge from the trees, moving into the open to drink and seek minerals.
Stay attentive to the edges of the clearing, where buffalo, forest antelope and other wildlife may appear. Watching arrivals, interactions and departures gives you time to notice how much happens in this shared space.
Return to Doli Lodge for dinner after a day shaped by the people and wildlife of Dzanga-Sangha.
Activity details
BaAka community activities: Vary with the season and local arrangements
Wildlife viewing: Dzanga Baï observation platform
Included
Accommodation: Doli Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Trek from Bayanga through the Hokou Forest Clearings
Leaving Doli Lodge, you head into the forest to explore the Hokou baïs, a network of 7 clearings linked by rainforest trails. Your route is shaped by conditions, following paths beneath the canopy before emerging into open spaces where wildlife gathers.
Each clearing invites a pause. Watch the tree line for movement and listen before continuing: forest elephants, gorillas, duikers and forest hogs inhabit this landscape, alongside varied birdlife. Sightings take patience, and even a quiet clearing offers clues to its visitors, including bark stripped from trees by elephants.
Moving between the baïs gives you a sense of how these openings connect with the surrounding forest. After several days here, you may find yourself noticing smaller details, from disturbed vegetation to calls overhead.
Return to Doli Lodge for your final evening beside the Sangha, with time over dinner to reflect on your days in Dzanga-Sangha.
Trekking details
Route: Hokou forest clearings; the circuit depends on conditions
Distance and time: Vary with the route taken
Included
Accommodation: Doli Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel by River from Bayanga to Ouesso
After breakfast, you leave Doli Lodge and board your boat for the journey downstream to Ouesso, returning to the Republic of Congo. With approximately 7 hours on the Sangha, this is a long travelling day and a chance to watch forest life from the water.
Riverside villages break the line of trees, while birds move along the banks. After days spent walking beneath the canopy, you can now appreciate the scale of the forest stretching beside you. Keep binoculars close, though there’s also time to sit back and let the river journey unfold.
Conversation may return to a silverback feeding nearby, elephants emerging into a clearing or your night on the observation platform. These encounters feel close, even as the boat carries you further from the forest camps.
On arrival in Ouesso, settle into your local hotel for dinner and rest before tomorrow’s road journey to Brazzaville.
Travel details
Boat journey: Approximately 7 hours
Included
Transfer: Boat from Bayanga to Ouesso
Accommodation: Local hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Travel by Road from Ouesso to Brazzaville
Leaving Ouesso behind, you begin the long drive south to Brazzaville. The road runs east of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, taking you through northern Congo as forest, villages and open countryside pass beyond your window.
Today involves approximately 10 hours on the road, so settle in for a full travelling day. Lunch in Oyo breaks the journey, giving you time to stretch your legs before continuing towards the capital.
The approach to Brazzaville brings a change of pace as quieter roads give way to city traffic. After nights spent listening to the forest and watching the Sangha flow past, returning to the capital may feel like another shift in the expedition.
Check into the Radisson Blu hotel and enjoy a shower and some rest. This evening is yours to choose where to eat, ahead of tomorrow’s opportunity to explore Brazzaville before your onward flight.
Travel details
Journey time: Approximately 10 hours by road
Included
Transfer: Ouesso to Brazzaville
Accommodation: Radisson Blu hotel
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Explore Brazzaville and Farewell to Congo
Your final day brings a different perspective on Congo, exploring the art, history and daily life of its capital. Depending on opening times and your flight schedule, visits may include the Poto-Poto painting school, the Congo Basin Museum, Sainte-Anne Basilica and the Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza Memorial.
There’s also an opportunity to encounter the colour and personal style of La Sape, Brazzaville’s celebrated fashion culture. Following lunch, browse the Plateau Ville craft market or visit the Congo River rapids, where powerful currents offer a striking contrast to your journeys along the Sangha.
Later, transfer to Maya-Maya International Airport for your onward flight. Leaving the city, you may find your thoughts returning to quieter encounters: watching gorillas feed, listening from the observation platform or following your BaAka trackers beneath the canopy.
Travel details
Sightseeing programme: Subject to opening times and flight schedule
Departure: An additional hotel night may be needed for some flight schedules
Included
Transfer: Hotel to Brazzaville Airport (BZV)
Accommodation: Not included
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Supporting Forest Knowledge and Conservation
Following BaAka trackers through the rainforest, you experience how knowledge of tracks, sounds and animal movements shapes each encounter. Your expedition provides paid work for local trackers and teams, placing their expertise at the heart of your journey.
At Mondika, you visit a long-established research site dedicated to studying western lowland gorillas. Included gorilla permits and park fees connect your visit with the regulated tourism that operates within these protected forests.
Time with BaAka communities offers opportunities to learn about forest traditions and daily life. Together, these experiences bring a deeper understanding of the Congo Basin, the wildlife it shelters and the people whose lives are closely connected to it.
Once you’ve booked your Congo Basin Gorilla & Rainforest Expedition, you’ll receive access to our free mobile travel app, keeping your preparations together in 1 handy place.
View your itinerary, trip countdown, updates, key contacts, weather forecasts, kit list and practical advice whenever you need them. You’ll also find information to help you prepare for rainforest walks, remote camps and river journeys.
With your trip details on your phone, there’s less to print and carry, and more time to look forward to the adventure ahead.
Preparing for a remote rainforest expedition brings plenty of questions. You’ll deal directly with our small, family-run team, receiving friendly, practical advice shaped around your experience and what you need to feel prepared.
Whether you’re wondering about fitness, gorilla tracking, kit or life at camp, we’ll talk through what to expect. We work with our local expedition partner to answer detailed questions and help you understand the realities of travelling in the Congo Basin.
From your first enquiry to your return home, you’ll have people you can contact, clear information and time to ask the questions that matter to you.
When you book this trip, we’ll share the recommended flights into and out of Maya-Maya International Airport, Brazzaville (BZV), in the Republic of Congo. These will align with your itinerary and included airport transfers.
You’re welcome to travel outside the recommended schedule. Please check with us before booking so we can confirm any additional transfers or accommodation required and their costs. Some flight schedules require an extra night in Brazzaville.
You can book flights yourself or through our trusted Flight Agent, who is ATOL and ABTA protected. There’s no mark-up, just the agent’s direct cost.
Flights aren’t included in your trip price, giving you the flexibility to:
- Depart from your preferred airport
- Use frequent flyer points
- Extend your stay, with arrangements agreed in advance
Before booking: Please wait for us to confirm your departure is guaranteed to run. Our local expedition partner recommends flexible flight tickets, as travel arrangements in this remote region may change.
For help planning your flights, contact info@adventurousewe.co.uk.
Passport
You’ll need a valid passport for both the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic (CAR). For British passport holders, CAR requires at least 6 months’ validity from your arrival date. Check the requirements for your nationality and any transit countries before booking.
We’ll need your passport details to arrange trip documentation. Please ensure these match your passport exactly. Carry a copy of your photo page and travel permissions separately from your passport, and leave copies with someone at home.
Republic of Congo visa
British passport holders need a visa, arranged before travel. Our local expedition partner provides the required invitation letter at an additional cost of €70 per person, separate from the visa fee.
Our partner advises that pre-arranged visa-on-arrival authorisation may be possible. Contact us before choosing this option: it must be approved before departure, and you should not travel expecting to obtain a visa without prior arrangements.
As you’ll return to the Republic of Congo after visiting CAR, your visa must cover both entries. We’ll help clarify the documentation required once you have booked.
Central African Republic entry permission
Our local partner advises that they arrange a laissez-passer, an entry authorisation for the CAR section of this expedition.
However, current UK government guidance states that British visitors require a visa. We therefore need to confirm that the partner’s laissez-passer is accepted in place of a visa for your nationality and this specific border crossing before you travel. We would not describe CAR as visa-free.
Check before you travel
Requirements can change. You’re responsible for holding the correct documents for both countries and any transit stops, with our team helping you coordinate the expedition arrangements.
For British passport holders, check the latest official guidance:
For Australian passport holders, check the latest official guidance:
If you hold another nationality’s passport, check with the relevant embassies or consulates before applying.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory for this expedition. Your policy must cover the Republic of Congo and Central African Republic, your full itinerary and all planned activities, including:
- Cancellation and curtailment up to the full value of your trip
- Emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation
- Remote rainforest trekking, gorilla tracking and wildlife observation
- River journeys, road transfers and remote camping
- Personal liability
- Loss of luggage and personal belongings
- Flight delays and travel disruption
Our local expedition partner requires at least US$100,000 cover for evacuation and repatriation. This is a minimum requirement, rather than a recommendation of sufficient cover.
Cover for your specific route
Standard travel insurance may exclude destinations subject to government travel warnings. At the time of writing, the FCDO advises against all travel to CAR outside Bangui, which includes the Dzanga-Sangha section of this expedition. Travelling against this advice could invalidate your insurance.
Before booking, share the complete itinerary with your insurer and obtain written confirmation that your policy covers the destinations, activities and applicable travel advice. Check any exclusions relating to medical evacuation, security incidents and travel disruption.
For UK residents, you can contact Campbell Irvine Direct to discuss your requirements. Cover for this expedition must be confirmed directly with the broker; it should not be assumed from a standard online quote.
Australian travellers can find guidance in the Smartraveller Travel Insurance Buying Guide.
Global Rescue Membership
You may also wish to explore Global Rescue membership, which provides medical advisory, field rescue and evacuation services, subject to its membership terms. Membership does not replace comprehensive travel insurance.
Before purchasing, ask Global Rescue to confirm eligibility for your complete route through both countries, including any restrictions arising from current travel advice. Security evacuation is a separate service option and should not be assumed to be included.
If assistance is needed, contact Global Rescue so they can coordinate the response. Services depend on the membership agreement and circumstances; independently arranged rescues are not reimbursed.
Global Rescue Membership
For peace of mind whilst trekking in the mountains, Global Rescue provides short term membership giving access to travel, security, medical advisory and evacuation services up to $US500,000. They’re a specialised field rescue company, and assist from the point of illness or injury by getting you to the closest and most appropriate medical facilities to get stabilised. Once fit to fly if you require additional inpatient treatment Global Rescue will further evacuate and repatriate to your home hospital on record. These services are all covered through their upfront membership fee with no claims process. For more info, please click here.
Health & Vaccinations
Your expedition visits the Republic of Congo and Central African Republic (CAR), where access to medical care can be limited, particularly at remote forest camps.
Arrange an appointment with your GP or a travel health professional ideally 6–8 weeks before departure. Take your itinerary so they can assess your vaccination, malaria prevention and medication needs.
Vaccinations
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry to both countries. Carry your original certificate with your passport. If you cannot receive the vaccine for medical reasons, seek specialist advice and contact us before booking, as acceptance of an exemption must be checked.
Check that your routine vaccinations are up to date, including diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella. Discuss hepatitis A, typhoid and any additional vaccinations, including rabies and hepatitis B, with your travel health professional. Your individual recommendations will depend on your medical history and planned activities.
Malaria & Bite Prevention
There is a high risk of malaria in both countries. Seek medical advice about suitable antimalarial medication and follow the prescribed course. Use insect repellent, cover exposed skin and sleep beneath mosquito nets where provided. If you develop a fever during or after your trip, seek urgent medical attention and explain where you have travelled.
Preparing for Remote Travel
Bring sufficient prescribed medication for your trip, with extra supplies for unexpected delays. Discuss any existing medical conditions with your healthcare professional and let us know about anything that may affect your participation or require support.
Tell your local guide promptly if you feel unwell, particularly before gorilla tracking. Follow all health screening and wildlife protection requirements.
For current health advice, including outbreak updates, visit:
Severe Allergies
Please tell us about any severe allergies when you book. We’ll discuss your needs with our local partner, but we cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment. Medical assistance may be several hours away.
Bring all required medication, including your prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors. These are not carried as standard by Adventurous Ewe leaders or crew. Discuss an emergency action plan and the number of auto-injectors to carry with your healthcare professional.
On arrival, make sure your local guide knows about your allergy, understands your emergency plan and knows where you keep your medication.
If you have questions about the practical arrangements, get in touch. We’re here to help you prepare, while your healthcare professional can advise on your medical needs.
Preparing for this expedition means understanding the travel advice for both the Republic of Congo and Central African Republic (CAR). Adventurous Ewe supports the UK Government’s Travel Aware campaign, helping you make informed decisions before travelling.
Please read the latest advice before booking and again before departure:
- United Kingdom: Republic of Congo and Central African Republic
- United States: Republic of Congo and Central African Republic
- Canada: Republic of Congo and Central African Republic
- Australia: Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) and Central African Republic
Important: Current FCDO advice is against all travel to CAR outside Bangui, including the Dzanga-Sangha area visited on this expedition. Restrictions also apply to parts of the Republic of Congo. This advice can affect travel insurance and the availability of consular assistance. www.gov.uk
We monitor official advice and maintain contact with our local expedition partner. Before confirming your booking, we’ll discuss the advice relevant to your route, the arrangements in place and any implications for your trip. You’ll also need written confirmation from your insurer that your complete itinerary is covered.
If advice or local conditions change, we’ll contact you to explain any impact and discuss your options. Please get in touch with our office team whenever you need clarification about the expedition or its preparations.
You’ll share this expedition with 6–8 travellers, giving you time to get to know each other and connect with your local team. A small group also makes it easier to move along forest trails and spend time at wildlife observation platforms.
You’re welcome to join solo or travel with friends, family or colleagues. Gorilla tracking takes place in smaller parties according to each site’s visitor limits, so your group may track at different times.
If you have a group of 6 or more, contact us about arranging a private departure, subject to permit and accommodation availability.
Each departure needs a minimum of 6 bookings to run. Once confirmed, its status changes from ‘Available’ to ‘Guaranteed to Run’ in the Dates and Prices table. Please wait for this confirmation before booking flights.
Other than in exceptional circumstances, we won’t cancel a departure once it’s guaranteed.
Challenge: Level 3 of 4: Tough
You’ll need excellent fitness and preparation for rainforest trekking in hot, humid conditions. Muddy trails, uneven ground and shallow river crossings demand stamina and steady footing. Gorilla tracking times vary, while long road and boat journeys add to the expedition’s demands.
Experience: Level 3 of 3: Experience Required
You should have previous trekking experience on rough terrain and be comfortable travelling in remote areas. Experience of basic camping will help you manage limited facilities, damp conditions and changing plans. You don’t need previous gorilla tracking experience; your local guides and BaAka trackers lead these encounters.
Comfort: Level 1: Expedition
Expect platform tents, bucket showers, dry toilets and 1 night on an observation platform in a camp bed beneath a mosquito net. Hotel stays and a riverside lodge provide more comfort between the remote sections. You’ll carry your personal essentials on forest walks and need a flexible approach to expedition life.
If you’re unsure whether this trip suits your experience, contact our team. We’ll talk through the demands and help you prepare.
When you book, we’ll send you a bespoke training programme and practical advice to help you prepare for rainforest trekking and remote expedition life.
You’ll need excellent fitness, stamina and previous experience walking on rough terrain. Gorilla tracking follows the animals’ movements, so walking times vary. Prepare for sustained effort in hot, humid conditions, with muddy paths, exposed roots and occasional shallow river crossings.
Build up your walking gradually in the months before departure. Include longer walks on consecutive days, carrying the daypack you’ll use on the trip. Woodland trails, uneven ground and hills will help develop your balance, confidence and endurance. Strength exercises for your legs and core, alongside cycling or swimming, can complement your walking.
Practise using your boots and daypack until they feel familiar, and test your waterproofs before travelling. Previous camping experience will help you adjust to simple facilities, damp kit and nights beneath the forest canopy.
Preparation also means being ready to adapt. Wildlife movements, rainfall and local conditions can change the day’s plans. Arrive with patience, flexibility and the fitness to give your attention to the forest around you.
You’ll receive a full kit list when you register, with advice on preparing for hot, humid rainforest conditions, muddy trails, river journeys and simple camps.
Comfortable, well-worn-in walking boots with good grip are essential. Lightweight, quick-drying clothing, a waterproof jacket and trousers, and waterproof protection for your kit will help you manage rain and damp conditions. A head torch, insect repellent and suitable sun protection are also important.
Follow the trip-specific guidance on footwear for river crossings and bedding for camp nights before buying anything. Our team can help clarify what’s provided and what you’ll need to bring.
You’ll also receive an exclusive Adventurous Ewe discount code for a specialist outdoor retailer when you book.
In July, expect warm, humid rainforest conditions, with rain possible throughout your expedition. Climate averages for Ouesso, near the northern Congo section of your journey, and Bayanga, the gateway to Dzanga-Sangha in the Central African Republic, indicate daytime highs around 28°C and overnight lows around 20°C.
July is generally less wet than September and October in these areas, but it is not a reliably dry month. Rainfall helps sustain the forest you’re exploring, and you should arrive prepared for wet conditions as well as warm days.
Walks can last several hours on uneven or muddy trails, occasionally passing through shallow water. The humidity adds to the effort, so a steady pace, regular drinks and lightweight, quick-drying clothing will help you stay comfortable. Bring waterproof protection and dry bags to keep essential kit dry.
These figures are a guide to typical July conditions rather than a forecast. Your local guides may adjust activities according to rainfall and conditions underfoot.
Accommodation
Your 12 nights combine 4 nights in hotels, 4 nights at a riverside lodge, 3 nights in platform camps and 1 night at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) headquarters. Comfort varies throughout, with simple forest facilities forming part of the expedition experience.
Hotels: 4 nights
You’ll spend 2 nights at the Radisson Blu in Brazzaville, at the beginning and end of your expedition, and 2 nights in a local hotel in Ouesso. These stays provide a chance to rest between the longer road and river journeys.
Doli Lodge: 4 nights
On the wooded banks of the Sangha River, Doli Lodge offers comfortable wooden bungalows raised on stilts, each with a private terrace overlooking the water. The open-air dining area also faces the river, giving you space to relax between forest walks and wildlife encounters.
Mondika forest camp: 2 nights
Reached by approximately 2.5 hours of forest walking, Mondika is a remote research camp where you’ll sleep in platform tents. Facilities are basic, with bucket showers and dry toilets. Come prepared for humidity, damp conditions and the sounds of the rainforest around your tent.
Wali Baï observation platform: 1 night
You’ll sleep on a roofed, raised observation platform overlooking a forest clearing visited by elephants and other wildlife. Camp beds and mosquito nets are provided, with cold meals served on site. This is a shared wilderness setting with limited privacy, where watching the clearing gives way to listening as darkness falls.
WCS headquarters, Bomassa: 1 night
You’ll stay at the Wildlife Conservation Society headquarters at the entrance to Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. This is a practical expedition stop before travelling deeper into the forest.
Solo Travellers & Room Sharing
You’re welcome to join solo. Please contact us to discuss sharing arrangements or request single accommodation. Availability varies between locations, and private accommodation cannot be assumed at remote camps or on the observation platform.
For questions or preferences, email info@adventurousewe.co.uk.
Included: 12 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 10 dinners.
Meals bring you together throughout the expedition, whether you’re pausing during a road journey, eating at a remote forest camp or gathering in Doli Lodge’s open-air dining area overlooking the Sangha River.
Expect simpler arrangements in the rainforest, where access to supplies and cooking facilities is limited. At Wali Baï, cold meals are served on the observation platform, allowing you to stay beside the clearing as wildlife comes and goes.
Meals at Your Own Expense
Dinner on Days 1 and 12 in Brazzaville is not included. Please also budget for meals during any additional nights arranged around your flights.
Drinking Water
Water is included; other drinks cost extra and are payable locally. Bring your complimentary Adventurous Ewe Water-to-Go bottle and follow your local team’s advice on drinking water and refill arrangements.
Dietary Requirements
Please tell us about dietary requirements and allergies when you book. We’ll discuss these with our local partner, but choice and substitutions may be limited at remote camps. We cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment.
If you rely on particular foods, speak with us before travelling so we can clarify what can be provided and whether you’ll need to bring suitable snacks.
Adventurous Ewe has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that eliminates over 99.99% of all microbiological contaminants from any non-salt water source – for more info please click here. Adventurous Ewe trekkers will receive a free Water-to-Go bottle when departing for this expedition, and better still, 15% of the purchase value for replacement filters will be donated to our environmental charity partner, Cool Earth.
Please note that if the water freezes it will clog up the filter – in this event, defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes.
Please help us reduce the volume of single use plastic in this pristine environment.
Deposit of £2165 per person is required on booking and is non-refundable.
Remaining balance of £4960 per person is due for payment no later than 60 days prior to the trip start date.
Total cost: £7125 per person
Monthly payment plan
A monthly payment plan can be arranged for this trip. Please contact us for more information or to set up your plan. Simply email info@adventurousewe.co.uk or call 01492 588 069.
Fundraising
You are welcome to fundraise for a charity of your choice if you wish to do so. All sponsorship monies are to be sent directly to your chosen charity.
Your Adventurous Ewe Leader/s and Crew will have a satellite & mobile phones and radios communications in case of emergencies. The team are trained to deal with these situations. Please ensure you listen to your Leader during these times and refrain from putting any posts on social media. Should you find yourself unable to continue with the trek, your Leader and crew will make the necessary arrangements.
Your Emergency Contact at Adventurous Ewe HQ is Jim Young on +44(0)7747 346 588.
Cool Earth
We are very excited to have teamed up with leading climate change charity Cool Earth, who share our mission to protect the planet’s precious environment in a sustainable manner. The future of rainforest protection is where everyone makes a difference to climate change! We invest a % of our revenue into supporting critical conservation projects around the world through Cool Earth. You are most welcome to help make a difference too by sparing a few pennies. Please give what you can and help save the world’s rainforests today by clicking here. Just £2.50 will save 10 trees and lock up 10 tonnes of CO2. Together, we can all make a difference in helping preserve this precious and wonderful planet. Thank-ewe
| Departure & Return | Duration | Availability | Deposit | Total Cost* | (*Total cost includes the deposit) |
| Jul 18, 2027 Jul 30, 2027 |
13 Days | Available | £2165.00 | £7125.00 | Book Now |
What's Included?
Pre-trip
- Personalised support from your Adventurous Ewe team
- Trip information and updates via our mobile travel app
- Discounts on personal kit from specialist outdoor retailers
- Financial protection for your booking
- Adventurous Ewe’s public liability insurance
- Risk assessment and emergency management planning
- Monthly payment plan available
On Your Trip
- Local expedition team, including guides, BaAka trackers, drivers and boat crew as required by the itinerary
- Arrival airport meet and greet in Brazzaville
- Airport transfers aligned with the recommended flight arrangements
- Road, 4WD and boat transfers detailed in the itinerary
- 12 nights’ accommodation: 4 nights hotel, 4 nights riverside lodge, 2 nights platform tents at Mondika, 1 night on the Wali Baï observation platform and 1 night at WCS headquarters
- Camp beds and mosquito nets for your observation platform stay
- 12 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 10 dinners
- Drinking water
- 2 gorilla tracking opportunities, at Mondika and Dzanga-Sangha, including permits
- Park entrance fees
- Forest walks, wildlife observation and BaAka community activities detailed in the itinerary
- Brazzaville sightseeing programme, subject to local conditions and flight timings
- Complimentary Adventurous Ewe Water-to-Go bottle
- Trip management before, during and after your expedition
What's Not Included?
Items Not Included
- International flights; flexible tickets are recommended
- Comprehensive travel insurance, including evacuation and repatriation cover of at least US$100,000 and confirmation of cover for the complete route and applicable government travel advice
- Passport, visa and immigration fees
- Republic of Congo visa invitation letter: €70 per person, additional to the visa fee
- Vaccinations, travel health appointments and personal medication
- Personal kit and equipment listed on your kit list
- Dinner on Days 1 and 12 in Brazzaville
- Drinks other than the included water
- Tips for local guides, trackers and crew
- Single accommodation supplements, where available
- Personal spending, souvenirs, laundry and other additional services
- Additional accommodation, meals or transfers outside the itinerary, including any extra night required by your flight schedule
- Costs associated with leaving the expedition early or changing your travel arrangements, subject to your booking conditions and any applicable insurance cover
Leaving the Expedition Early
If you need to leave the group before the expedition ends, please speak with your local guide immediately. Our team and local partner will help coordinate the arrangements. Additional transport, accommodation, meals and flight changes may be at your expense, subject to your booking conditions and insurance cover. Keep receipts for any potential insurance claim.
Responsible Travel in Practice
Your journey through the Congo Basin relies on local expertise and access to protected forests. Here’s how your itinerary connects with conservation work, local livelihoods and the choices you make along the way.
– Value local knowledge. You’ll travel with local teams and BaAka trackers, providing paid work linked to their knowledge of the forest. Ask before taking photographs and respect people’s privacy during community activities.
– Contribute through park access. Your trip includes national park fees and gorilla tracking permits, contributing to the management of protected areas and regulated wildlife tourism.
– Give wildlife space. Gorilla visits follow local rules on viewing time, distance and group size. Follow your trackers’ instructions, keep noise low and tell your guide if you feel unwell before a visit.
– Observe with care. Raised platforms at forest clearings allow you to watch visiting wildlife from designated locations. Follow local guidance and never feed or approach animals.
– Reduce disposable waste. Adventurous Ewe provides a complimentary Water-to-Go filter bottle. Follow your local team’s drinking-water advice, avoid unnecessary packaging and take litter back to designated disposal points.
Beyond this expedition, Adventurous Ewe supports Cool Earth’s work with rainforest communities. This is an ongoing company commitment, rather than a stated donation from each booking.
Adventurous Ewe also holds the Travelife Partner Award in recognition of our sustainability management practices.
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