Welcome to
Congo &
Central African Republic
The names 'Congo' & 'the Congo Basin' conjure up images of Tarzan and the heart of Africa, with mysterious and dark tropical rainforests.
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The Republic of Congo - not to be confused with its neighbour, the Democratic Republic of Cong - lies on the western bank of the Congo river.
Along with the Central African Republic's southernmost parts, it forms part of the densely forested Congo Basin.
Raw and remote lands, only accessible by charter flights, for guests to explore the great diversity of life that exists.
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The Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic are two countries that, along with 4 others, form part of this immense, 200 million hectares, Congo Basin region that is larger than the state of Alaska and stands as the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest.
The 4 other countries spanning the Congo Basin are Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.
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Many experts have characterized the basin's forest as important for mitigating climate change because of its role as a carbon sink.
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As well as 150 distinct ethnic groups exist in this region there are an estimated 10,000 species of tropical plants (30% of which are endemic), 400+ species of mammals, 1,000+ species of birds and 700+ species of fish.
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A former French colony, the Republic of congo, has a modern history that began with the late 19th century explorations of Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, after whom the capital is still named.
The north west of the country lies within the rich tapestry of the Congo Basin with pristine biodiversity, and it is here you will find low-impact tourism camps.
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Central African Republic (CAR) was founded as a French trading post in 1849. It once formed part of ‘French Congo’, along with Republic of the Congo and other neighbouring countries, before establishing independence. Mostly covered by savannah, aside from its southernmost, congo basin parts.
Odzala-Kokoua National Park
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In the north-west of The Republic of Congo, lies Odzala-Kokoua National Park, one of Africa’s oldest national parks, established in 1935.
A rich mosaic of pristine rainforests, savannahs, rivers and baïs, it is an essential part of the Congo Basin and TRIDOM Transfrontier Park. TRIDOM (Tri-national - Dja - Odzala - Minkebe) is known as 'one forest, three parks' as it is an area that is 97% forested, split between three countries; Dja National Park in Cameroon, Odzala Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo, and Minkebe National Park in Gabon.
TRIDOM makes up 178,000 km², or 10% of the whole Congo Basin rainforest and is a haven for large mammals: it shelters up to 25,000 elephants and 40,000 gorillas and chimpanzees, as well as a host of other species, including buffaloes, giant forest hogs, sitatunga, pythons, and monkeys.
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Sangha Trinational Protected Area & Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve
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Sangha Trinational Protected Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012. It connects three crucial areas of outstanding biodiversity: Lobéké National Park in Cameroon, Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in the Central African Republic, and Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo.
The site is large, 746,309 hectares and there is a relatively limited amount of deforestation within the three parks containing important vulnerable species such as African forest elephants, gorillas, sitatunga, and chimpanzees. In addition, populations of critically endangered plant species such as Mukulungu are protected within the site's borders.
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Within the Sangha Trinational Protected Area is the Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve, established in 1990, where you will find Sangha Lodge welcoming you to discover this wonderous land.
Dzanga-Sangha has a total area of over 400 000 hectares and is one of Africa’s most remote and rewarding destinations. Within Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve is an exciting and highly sought after destination, famous for its congregations of forest elephants and forest buffalos, as well as rare animals such as bongo, giant forest hog and red river hog.
All visitors to Sangha Lodge support crucial conservation efforts, including pangolin research, wildlife rehabilitation, the reduction of poaching for the bushmeat trade, as well as socio-economic development within the region.
For visits to Odzala Kokoua, there are three Camps on offer to expore: Ngaga Camp, Lango Camp and Mboko Camp. All camps are a gorilla lover's dream
Dzanga Baï attracts impressive numbers of wildlife with its mineral-rich waters.
Destinations in Congo & Central African Republic
Tropical humid rainforests bursting with non-human life await you!
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