Central African Rainforest Trip
Nouabale-Ndoki and Dzanga-Sangha National Parks
2008
INTRODUCTION
If you have been fascinated since youth by tales of the mysterious tropical
forests of Africa then this is the expedition for you, a journey into the
untouched rainforests of Central Africa. This vast region spanning three
countries, sparsely populated with Bantu tribes, and nomadic groups of
Pygmies is noted for its vast areas of prime jungle habitat, won’t disappoint
the adventurer and wildlife lover.
We will be travelling in 4 wheel drive vehicles, in motorised pirogues, in small
Pirogues powered by Pygmy and Bantu tribesmen, and on foot into the
remotest parts of the jungle, and yet surprisingly the accommodation will be
comfortable with private bathroom facilities and cold drinks throughout the
time. You’ll enter a pristine region full of wildlife, including Gorillas,
Chimpanzees, Elephants, and a wealth of smaller primates, small mammals,
forest birds, and a wealth of flora.
We spend time watching gorillas and elephants from the comfort of miradors
[Large covered viewing platforms] at the famous Mbeli and Dzanga bais.
We also track Gorillas on foot with Pygmy trackers, and a highlight of the trip
is a day spent with the Pygmies starting early in the morning with a net hunt,
followed by a lesson in Medicinal and food plants of the forest, hut building
and perhaps food preparation by some fascinating Pygmy woman.
I TI NERARY 14– 30 August 2008
Day 1: The tour begins in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo where we will
be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel.
Day 2: After an early breakfast we transfer back to the airport for our flight
to Ouesso in the Northwest where we transfer to pirogues [Large Dugout
canoes] and travel by river for around 5 hours to the village of Bomassa
where we spend the night.
Bomassa is the head quarters of the WCS project that runs Nouabale Ndoki
National park, and is run as a research and logistical support centre for the
Nouabale project.
Day 3 to 8: After breakfast we transfer to 4WD’s for our trip through the
buffer-zone surrounding the National park. On arrival at the Ndoki river we
transfer into small pirogues and get poled upstream to Mbeli camp, our home
for the next 4 nights in the heart of the rainforest and prime Gorilla habitat.
We walk through the forest to the swamp clearings called Bais. Mbeli Bai is
one of these and we watch from a high viewing platform the comings and
goings of gorillas and other forest inhabitants. Of interest is that researchers
use these observation posts as a way of studying the behavior and social
dynamics and of the western lowland gorillas.
As a result of these observations they can identify over 130 individual gorillas
and have an understanding of some of their social behaviors, which would
otherwise be very difficult to obtain in the thick forest.
But as well we see a wealth of other animals using this area as a waterhole
such as Forest elephant (very different to the African elephant), Sitatunga,
Red River- hogs, Black and White Colobus, and others.
Day 9: Travel by pirogue and 4WD to Bayanga. Overnight at Doli Lodge.
Days 10-14: Dzanga- Sangha is the northern section of the Northwestern
Congo Basin. In the reserve are large populations of forest elephant, Lowland
gorillas, 16 of the country’s primate species (such as De Brazza’s monkey
with its distinctive white beard), hundreds of bird species, reptiles, frogs etc.
We visit a village of the Ba’Aka pygmies and if we want we can join them in a
hunt for food into the forests. The woman will share some traditional
knowledge of the plants and we learn about the lifestyle in the forest. The
WWF works with the Ba’Aka in establishing conservation, education and
health programmes in the area. The next few days will be spent visiting
Dzanga bai, tracking lowland gorillas and hunting with the Ba'Aka. Nights at
Doli Lodge.
Day 15: Once again by vehicle and pirogue we head downstream, to 0uesso
for a one-night stay.
Day 16: Catch plane to Brazza for 1 night.
Day 17: Departure
The Projected Cost for this trip is,Euro5500 Per person sharing,
with a single supplement of Euro450 [Note that there are no
single rooms at Mbeli or Bomassa] This amount includes all
landed costs.
Excludes international airfares, Visa fees, drinks and personal
items.
Due to logistics this itinerary can be subject to changes.