Into the Congo: Exploring Odzala-Kokoua and the Lungs of Africa
4×4 vehicle travelling through the Congo Basin in Odzala-Kokoua National Park
Deep in the northwest of the Republic of Congo lies Odzala-Kokoua National Park—a vast, green wilderness few have heard of, let alone explored. It’s one of the oldest national parks in Africa, protected since 1935, yet still feels like a well-kept secret. For those willing to venture into its forests and swamps, Odzala offers something rare: raw, untamed nature and the chance to connect with one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems.
Odzala sits at the heart of the Congo Basin, home to the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world after the Amazon. These forests play a massive role in regulating the Earth’s climate. They store billions of tons of carbon, influence weather patterns across continents, and generate the rainfall that feeds rivers, farmland, and communities across Central Africa. Often called “the lungs of Africa,” the Congo Basin is one of the most ecologically important regions on Earth—and one of the most threatened.
When you explore Odzala-Kokoua, you’re stepping into this living, breathing system. The park covers 13,600 square kilometers and offers an incredible range of habitats—dense rainforest, river systems, marshy bais, and open savannah. These varied landscapes support an extraordinary diversity of life.
This is one of the best places in Africa to see western lowland gorillas in the wild. Around Ngaga Camp, their numbers are among the highest ever recorded. Family groups range from 10 to 25 individuals, typically led by a silverback. Tracking them on foot is a quiet, humbling experience. There’s no guarantee of a sighting, but the forest has a way of revealing itself to those who move slowly.
Odzala is also home to forest elephants, giant forest hogs, African buffalo, and over 100 mammal species, including 11 diurnal primates. Birdlife is rich, with more than 430 species, from the iconic grey parrot to rare forest specialists. Many of these animals rely on the park’s bais—grassy, mineral-rich clearings that serve as natural gathering points for wildlife and offer incredible opportunities for sightings.
Our Journey Into Odzala
Our time in the Congo is based out of two remote camps: Ngaga Camp and Lango Camp.
Ngaga sits in the forest near key gorilla tracking areas and was designed with inspiration from local B’Aka traditions. From here, we’ll set out early each morning to follow gorilla tracks through the understory, listening for rustling branches and low vocalizations. It’s immersive, intimate, and unforgettable.
Lango Camp is built on the edge of savannah forest, near the Lekoli and Mambili Rivers. The days here might mean wading through streams, navigating through forest islands, or watching wildlife emerge from the trees as the bais come to life at dusk. Both camps are deeply rooted in place and built to tread lightly.
Travel That Supports the Forest
Odzala isn’t just a destination—it’s part of a much bigger story. The Congo Basin faces increasing pressure from poaching, illegal logging, and climate change. Forest elephants and western lowland gorillas are especially vulnerable, and protecting them helps protect entire ecosystems.
Your visit directly supports local conservation efforts. Every step into the forest helps fund monitoring, research, and anti-poaching patrols. It also brings attention to a part of the world that deserves a voice in the global climate conversation.
At Arctic Tern Expeditions, we don’t just explore remote places—we form relationships with them. We learn their rhythms, support their protection, and return home with stories that inspire others to do the same.
This is what it means to travel with purpose. This is the Congo.
