The National Parks of the Republic of Congo

Odzala-Kokoua National Park

Odzala-Kokoua National Park is located in the northwest of the Republic of Congo and spans an impressive 13,500 km² in the heart of the Congo Basin, the second-largest rainforest area in the world. Located just one degree north of the equator, the park offers a unique mix of tropical rainforest, savannas, and swampy gallery forests crisscrossed by rivers. The park is known for its open forest clearings, known as "baïs," which are rich in minerals and attract a wide variety of wildlife. Established in 1935, Odzala-Kokoua is one of Africa’s oldest national parks, home to over 4,500 plant species and 440 bird species. It’s particularly famous for its western lowland gorillas and forest elephants, which can be observed in their natural habitat. The combination of ancient primary forest, savannas, and the unique baïs makes the park one of the most fascinating nature reserves in Central Africa.

Activities and Highlights

Visitors to Odzala-Kokoua National Park can look forward to a variety of unforgettable experiences. The main attraction is undoubtedly gorilla trekking, where the rare western lowland gorillas can be observed in their natural habitat. In addition to guided hikes through the dense rainforest—where nocturnal animals can also be spotted—the park offers exciting boat and kayak tours along the rivers. In the savanna areas, wildlife such as bongos, forest elephants, and rare primates like chimpanzees can be seen on game drives. A special highlight is the visit to the mineral-rich baïs, where animals gather to drink and absorb minerals. The park is also home to over 440 bird species, including the African grey parrot, and offers opportunities to learn about the traditional way of life of the Ba'aka Pygmies.

Conservation and Sustainability

Since its founding in 1935, Odzala-Kokoua National Park has been under the highest protection status and was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1977. In 2023, it also gained UNESCO World Heritage status. Since 2010, the park has been managed by the conservation organization African Parks in collaboration with the Congolese government to ensure the protection of its unique biodiversity. Sustainable tourism plays a central role in the park’s conservation strategy, with three eco-friendly lodges that accommodate only a limited number of guests to minimize environmental impact. The KARE (Kamba African Rainforest Experience) framework, implemented by the travel provider Kamba, promotes conservation and local development. Significant conservation projects, such as the gorilla conservation program in the Ngaga region and the protection of forest elephants, contribute to the long-term preservation of these endangered species. Eco-teams from surrounding communities collect valuable biodiversity data and help reduce human-wildlife conflicts. The park is a shining example of how conservation, research, and sustainable tourism can successfully go hand in hand.

Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park

Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park is located in the northern part of the Republic of Congo and forms the heart of the Congo Basin, one of the last intact tropical rainforests in the world. The park covers an area of over 4,000 km² and is part of the transboundary Sangha Tri-National Protected Area, which spans Congo, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. The park's dense forests are home to extraordinary biodiversity and are shaped by a variety of unique ecosystems. Known for its untouched rainforests and open forest clearings like Mbeli Bai, the park is one of Central Africa’s most important conservation areas and was recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Sangha Trinational" in 2012.

Activities and Highlights

Visitors to Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park can expect spectacular encounters with nature. Gorilla trekking is particularly popular, offering the chance to observe western lowland gorillas in their natural habitat. In addition to gorillas, forest elephants, chimpanzees, and rare species such as the giant forest hog and the elusive bongo antelope can also be spotted. Adventurers can enjoy guided hikes through the dense rainforest and scenic boat trips along the park’s rivers and channels. A highlight is the visit to Mbeli Bai, a 13-hectare forest clearing, which is a prime location for observing gorillas and other wildlife. The park is also known for its research facilities, such as the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project, which studies gorillas and chimpanzees. Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park offers an impressive mix of adventure and ecotourism, captivating nature lovers.

Conservation and Sustainability

Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park has had a high protection status since its establishment and is actively involved in preserving the biodiversity of the Congo Basin. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage "Sangha Trinational," the park is integrated into numerous international conservation initiatives. Since 2014, it has been managed through a public-private partnership between the Congolese government and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The park pursues an inclusive approach, combining conservation with the support of local communities. The Nouabalé-Ndoki Foundation works on sustainable management plans and investment security to ensure the park's long-term preservation. Long-standing species conservation projects, such as the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project, focus on the protection of gorillas and chimpanzees. The famous forest clearings like Mbeli Bai allow long-term studies of forest elephants and other species. Education programs and the involvement of indigenous groups, such as the BaAka Pygmies, are key components of the conservation strategy to promote acceptance of conservation in the region and support sustainable development.

Conkouati-Douli National Park

Conkouati-Douli National Park, located in the southwest of the Republic of Congo, covers an impressive 504,950 hectares along the Atlantic coast and extends to the border with Gabon. This unique location creates a remarkable variety of ecosystems, from coastal landscapes with beaches and mangrove forests to wetlands, lagoons, and inland savannas. The park is not only rich in flora and fauna but also plays an important hydrological role, contributing to coastal stabilization and groundwater recharge. As a UNESCO World Heritage site and Ramsar Wetland, Conkouati-Douli National Park highlights its significance in protecting wetlands and biodiversity. Besides its ecological importance, the park also has a cultural role, with its waters being used for traditional and religious rites by the local Vili people.

Activities and Highlights

Conkouati-Douli National Park offers a fascinating range of activities that appeal to both nature lovers and adventurers. One of the park's main attractions is the chimpanzee excursion, where visitors have the opportunity to observe these fascinating primates in the wild. Thanks to its diverse water landscapes, visitors can also explore the rivers and lagoons on boat tours, while marine excursions allow for whale and sea turtle watching. In addition to chimpanzees, other primates such as gorillas and mandrills can be found in the park, and forest elephants, hippos, and leopards can be spotted in the savannas and forests. The park's beaches are nesting grounds for sea turtles, including the endangered leatherback and olive ridley turtles. The variety of wildlife and the opportunity to see these animals in different habitats make Conkouati-Douli National Park a unique destination.

Conservation and Sustainability

Conkouati-Douli National Park is at the center of numerous conservation initiatives and has been under the highest protection status since its establishment in 1999. It is not only a UNESCO World Heritage site but also part of international programs such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aimed at preserving global biodiversity. The park has been managed since 2021 through a public-private partnership between the French NGO Noé and the Congolese Ministry of Forestry, with a focus on sustainable tourism and local development. Ecotourism projects, sustainable fishing programs, and close cooperation with the local population contribute to the creation of long-term economic perspectives. The chimpanzee conservation project led by the NGO HELP CONGO, which has successfully reintroduced over 50 chimpanzees into the wild over 30 years, is particularly noteworthy. Other significant conservation projects focus on endangered sea turtles and forest elephants, which find refuge here. The use of modern technologies such as EarthRanger and Skylight also helps combat illegal fishing in the park's marine protected area. Conkouati-Douli National Park is an outstanding example of how conservation and sustainable development can go hand in hand.

Léfini Wildlife Reserve (and Léfini National Park)

The Léfini Wildlife Reserve, located about 150 kilometers north of the Congolese capital Brazzaville, offers a fascinating mix of various ecosystems. The 6,300 km² reserve is situated in the transition zone between the Congo Basin and the Batéké Plateau, resulting in a diverse landscape. Two-thirds of the reserve are covered by savannas and grasslands, while dry mixed forests and swampy gallery forests are found along the rivers. This combination of savanna and forest habitats makes the Léfini Wildlife Reserve an ideal home for a variety of animal species, including forest dwellers such as gorillas and chimpanzees, as well as savanna inhabitants like antelopes and jackals. The unique geological composition of the area, with soft sandstone deposits, also forms an important aquifer that feeds major river systems. Combined with its location on the western edge of the Congo Basin and its integration into a larger conservation system, the Léfini Wildlife Reserve is an ecologically valuable area with high importance for species conservation.

Activities and Highlights

Nature lovers will be in their element in the Léfini Wildlife Reserve. The extensive network of trails through savannas, forests, and along rivers invites visitors to embark on long hikes where they can experience the reserve's diverse wildlife up close. Morning and evening safaris offer exciting wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors may spot forest elephants, gorillas, hippos, and an impressive variety of birds. Boat tours on the reserve’s rivers also provide a unique perspective on the area’s rich flora and fauna. A special highlight is the neighboring Lésio-Louna Gorilla Sanctuary, where visitors can observe reintroduced western lowland gorillas in their natural environment. With its impressive mix of savanna and forest animals, including rare species like bongos and the black-headed bee-eater, the Léfini Wildlife Reserve offers an unparalleled nature experience.

Conservation and Sustainability

The Léfini Wildlife Reserve plays a central role in species conservation in the Republic of Congo. Established in 1951, it is part of the Batéké-Leconi-Léfini landscape, a biodiversity hotspot supported by USAID. Along with neighboring protected areas such as the Lésio-Louna Gorilla Sanctuary and the planned Ogooué-Leketi National Park, it contributes to the preservation of important ecosystems. The park focuses on sustainable ecotourism, particularly through gorilla tracking, which supports both conservation and local communities. Key conservation projects include the reintroduction of western lowland gorillas and protective measures for forest elephants, whose populations are slowly recovering. The increased presence of rangers also ensures the protection of hippos and other endangered species. Additionally, a national REDD+ project aimed at reforestation and reducing forest fires has been launched here. The Léfini Wildlife Reserve demonstrates how conservation and sustainable development can go hand in hand.

Dzanga-Ndoki National Park

Dzanga-Ndoki National Park is located in the far southwest of the Central African Republic, near the borders with Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. It is part of the larger Dzanga-Sangha Protected Area, which stretches along the Sangha River and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012. The park covers an area of 1,143 km² and is divided into two sectors: the northern Dzanga sector and the southern Ndoki sector. This region is part of one of the largest contiguous rainforest areas in Africa, featuring dense tropical forests, floodplains, and the characteristic forest clearings known as "baïs." One of the park's most famous attractions is Dzanga Bai, also known as the "village of elephants," a large clearing where forest elephants and other large animals regularly gather. With one of the highest densities of western lowland gorillas in the world, the park is a significant refuge for this endangered species and offers an unparalleled nature experience.

Activities and Highlights

Dzanga-Ndoki National Park offers a variety of activities that immerse visitors in the untouched wilderness of the Central African rainforest. Guided hikes allow visitors to experience the rich wildlife up close, while boat tours along the rivers provide a relaxing way to explore the dense forests from the water. Observing forest elephants at the baïs is an absolute highlight, as is gorilla trekking, where western lowland gorillas can be seen in their natural environment. With over 350 bird species, including the endemic Sangha forest robin, the park is also a paradise for birdwatchers. The Dzanga Bai and the Primate Habituation Program in Bai Hokou offer unique opportunities to see these fascinating animals in their natural habitat, making the park an unforgettable destination for nature lovers.

Conservation and Sustainability

Dzanga-Ndoki National Park is a prime example of successful conservation in Central Africa. As part of the transnational Sangha River Protected Area, it is under UNESCO World Heritage protection and supported by WWF, which has been instrumental in managing and protecting the park since 1990. Sustainable tourism plays a central role in the park's conservation strategy, with ecotourism promoted as a source of income for local communities. The Primate Habituation Program allows gorillas to be habituated for research and controlled tourism, supporting both conservation and the local economy. Outstanding conservation projects, such as the protection of forest elephants and gorillas, are a focus of the park. Communal hunting areas are also being established to allow for the sustainable use of resources by the indigenous population. Close collaboration with organizations such as WWF and Chengeta Wildlife ensures that both conservation and the rights of local communities are upheld.

Unforgettable Experiences in Pristine Nature

The national parks of the Republic of Congo offer unforgettable nature experiences that take you deep into the heart of Africa. From gorilla trekking to encounters with forest elephants and boat tours through untouched rainforests, each park tells its own fascinating story. Those seeking adventure, wilderness, and a glimpse into Africa’s endangered wildlife will find it here. The beauty and diversity of nature in this region are unparalleled, inviting you to explore and help preserve it for future generations.