Explore the Republic of the Congo, heart of the rainforest
There is a place in the Republic of Congo where western lowland gorillas walk into a clearing, sit down in the open, and barely register your presence. Where forest elephants wade into bai meadows as the morning mist clears, and the sound of their movement through the undergrowth is the only noise for miles in any direction. Where the air is so thick with life, insects, birds, mammals, fungi, things without names that breathing feels like participation. This place is the Congo Basin, and the Republic of Congo holds some of its most pristine and extraordinary corners. The Republic of Congo, not to be confused with its larger eastern neighbour, is a country of remarkable ecological integrity. Roughly two-thirds of its territory remains forested, and within that forest exists one of Africa's last truly undisturbed wilderness landscapes. Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the northwest is the jewel of the system, a park of dense equatorial forest, open bai clearings, and winding forest rivers that supports the highest density of western lowland gorillas and forest elephants anywhere in the Congo Basin. Gorilla encounters here are not the managed, permit-controlled hours of Virunga and Bwindi. They are long, unhurried, and profoundly intimate, a…
There is a place in the Republic of Congo where western lowland gorillas walk into a clearing, sit down in the open, and barely register your presence. Where forest elephants wade into bai meadows as the morning mist clears, and the sound of their movement through the undergrowth is the only noise for miles in any direction. Where the air is so thick with life, insects, birds, mammals, fungi, things without names that breathing feels like participation. This place is the Congo Basin, and the Republic of Congo holds some of its most pristine and extraordinary corners.
The Republic of Congo, not to be confused with its larger eastern neighbour, is a country of remarkable ecological integrity. Roughly two-thirds of its territory remains forested, and within that forest exists one of Africa's last truly undisturbed wilderness landscapes. Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the northwest is the jewel of the system, a park of dense equatorial forest, open bai clearings, and winding forest rivers that supports the highest density of western lowland gorillas and forest elephants anywhere in the Congo Basin. Gorilla encounters here are not the managed, permit-controlled hours of Virunga and Bwindi. They are long, unhurried, and profoundly intimate, a window into primate behaviour that researchers have spent decades working to provide.
The Congo Basin experience is not about the quantity of wildlife; it is about the depth of encounter. Days here are measured in slow mornings at the bai, in the patience required to wait for forest elephants to emerge, in the particular stillness of a forest that has never been logged, farmed or disturbed in any significant way. The lodge infrastructure in Odzala is surprisingly excellent; several world-class camps deliver genuine comfort in genuine wilderness, but the experience itself is irreducibly raw.
This is not a destination for first-time African travellers. It is a destination for those who have done the rest and want to go deeper.
Season guide
The Republic of the Congo has an equatorial climate, meaning it can be visited year-round, but seasonal rainfall plays an important role in shaping the travel experience. The drier periods from June to September and December to February are generally the best times to visit. During these months, forest trails are more accessible, and wildlife viewing in forest clearings is more consistent. The wetter seasons bring heavier rainfall, making travel more challenging but transforming the rainforest into a lush, vibrant environment. This period can still be rewarding for travelers seeking fewer crowds and a deeper connection with the landscape.
Excellent time to visit; strong wildlife activity.
Last updated: June 12, 2026
Yes, most travellers require a visa to enter Republic of the Congo, which must be arranged in advance.
It is known for its untouched rainforest, gorilla trekking, and exclusive safari experiences in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Bwindi’s gorillas in Uganda live in a high altitude rain forest, while the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda live in a bamboo forest. These habitats result in some behavioral differences and definitely result in different hiking and viewing differences. Budget issues often impact whether our guests visit both parks and only one. If time and budget permit, we recommend that our guests view in both parks.
Trekking can be done during the dry (June to September and December to February) or rainy seasons (March to May and October to November). The rainy season does make trekking more challenging, so it’s often recommended to trek during the dry season. One of the benefits when trekking during the rainy season is that accommodation at lodges and hotels are at discounted rates.
No, it’s not possible because these Mountain gorillas can’t survive in captivity. They are only found in mountainous areas and only in Africa
Although mountain gorillas are big, muscular creatures, they are described to be intelligent, affectionate and gentle. They are calm vegetarians who are dedicated to their group members. The gorillas spend most of their time interacting, feeding, playing and aggressive in case there is an intruder in the family. They welcome humans only if they are peaceful but if danger is sensed, they may be harmful.
NO, Gorilla Permits are not refundable. In an emergency we can try to resell the Permits for you, but there is no guarantee that we will be abl to do so.
Once you have confirmed the final itinerary with us, you will be asked to pay a deposit of 40%. Gorilla permits must be paid for in full at the time of booking. Note that availability of accommodation and permits is not guaranteed until officially confirmed by GoExplore Safaris.
Accommodation, permit and activity reservations will be made as soon as payment has been received on our account. For your convenience, the balance payment of 60% should be settled 45 days before the start of your safari.
We accept payment by VISA credit card (please include 5% service charge) and bank transfer in either dollars or Euros to our bank account in Uganda. Please note that all bank charges are at the expense of the client.
The Gorilla tracking safaris can be done in Uganda (the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park), Rwanda (Parc National des Volcans or Volcanoes National Park) and Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC (Virunga Mountains park called the Parc National des Virunga).
The minimum age for a gorilla tour is 15 Years old. Please get in touch if your kids want to track gorillas and are between 10 - 15 Years. You will need to write a letter of taking full responsibility for them during the activity.
The plight of Africa’s mountain gorillas really came about in the 1960s predominantly through the work of Dian Fossey. A lot of the work she did, through extensive studies and research, launched Africa’s mountain gorillas to fame. Reasons for trekking mountain gorillas varies from person to person and there may be a few people who can’t even give you a valid reason why they are so interested in it. However, whether you have a reason or not, gorilla trekking remains one of the most stirring and rewarding wildlife experiences there is.
Explore different travel styles as a source of inspiration.
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