Odzala–Kokoua National Park
Described as one of Central Africa’s most important strongholds for forest elephant and gorilla conservation, Odzala–Kokoua National Park is well worth visiting if you have a keen interest in gorilla tracking!
When to go to Odzala Kokoua National Park
Best Time to Go
Wild, remote landscape in the Republic of the Congo
Gorilla tracking & other wildlife
A diverse range of habitats
A variety of exciting activities
Remote, Raw & Adventurous
Odzala–Kokoua is one of the oldest national parks in Africa, having been founded in 1935. It is also among the largest – at 13,600 square kilometers, it’s some 600 square kilometers bigger than Tanzania’s Ruaha! The boundary of the park was extended in 1996, such that it came to reside entirely within the catchment area of the Mambili river, a tributary of the mighty River Congo.
Yearly Odzala-Kokoua receives approximately 1,500 millimeters of rain, so its rivers are a permanent feature. Other interesting parts of the park include steep hills, a 350-meter escarpment, and occasional clearings within the forest termed ‘bais’. The bais are shallow and often swampy depressions full of herbs and sedges – very popular with wildlife.
Odzala Kokoua National Park Trips
Activities & Wildlife
While gorilla tracking is the main activity in Odzala-Kokoua, the region is home to an array of fascinating species to see and activities to enjoy.
Gorilla tracking
Wildlife
Birdlife
Lush habitats
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Gorilla tracking is the most exciting activity here. This experience involves hiking through the forest in the hopes of encountering at least one of the park’s two habituated family groups. But you are sure to see a lot of other species along the way!
The savannas of Odzala–Kokoua attract grazers including buffalo, bushbuck, and Grimms’ duiker. Buffalo are also found in the park’s forests, as are forest elephant, giant forest hog, and gorilla. The marshy forests are home to an array of primates – De Brazza’s monkey, Angolan talapoin, mantled guereza, and Tana River mangabey, while the park’s rivers contain hippo, dwarf forest crocodile, and slender-snouted crocodile.
As well as the mammals and reptiles, there’s some brilliant birdlife. Odzala–Kokoua boasts over 430 types of bird, with some spectacular highlights. Congo serpent eagle, white crested tiger-heron, black dwarf hornbill, chestnut wattle-eye, lyre-tailed honeyguide… certainly the park holds plenty of intrigue for keen birders. Don’t forget to pack your binoculars!
The park contains a number of different types of habitats, featuring savanna, forest, and rivers. Moreover, the forest category comprises two subtypes as two distinct soils are present, namely hydromorphic and terra firma. The former are essentially marsh forests, while the latter are characterised by a dense carpet of plants such as giant herbs and a relatively modest amount of trees. In fact, the spacing of the trees within terra firma forests has been compared with the layout of a London park! Explore these landscapes on nature trails, boat trips, stream swimming, and village visits.
There are very few forests like this on Earth, and many researchers would say there is nowhere else on our planet like Odzala. This is a park that surprises even the most experienced adventurers; a wonderfully mysterious frontier that’s home to gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants, and a huge number of lesser-known species. This is a destination to put at the heart of any conservationist or adventurous traveler’s wish list. One of the most beautiful, and incredible places we operate safaris.Talk to someone who’s been there
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