Young male gorilla in tree, Ngaga Camp, Odzala, Rep of Cong

Republic of Congo Holidays

Follow your instincts and embark upon an adventure in the Congo. You’ll have to be prepared for an untamed experience – rambunctious gorillas and mighty elephants roam freely throughout the forests here.

No other country holds the promise of adventure or delivers unforgettable travel experiences quite like the Republic Congo (also known as Congo-Brazzaville). The bais, clearings in the forest, are a great place to view western lowland gorillas and forest elephants.

For more adventure, roll up your sleeves and track primates in the forests of Odzala National Park. You will be in awe, not only at the scale of the jungle around you but also the unerring skill of the trackers.

Kayaking from the air, Odzala National Park, Republic of Congo
Odzala National Park, Republic of Congo
Lowland Bongo Antelope, Lango Camp, Odzala, Rep of Congo
Odzala National Park, Republic of Congo

What to expect on your Congo holiday

The Republic of Congo is unfenced and untamed – so too are its camps which can be a little unnerving on your first night. Distances are vast so journeys can be very long and delays and breakdowns are an occupational hazard of travel to the Congo.

So why go? The fun lies in getting there – flying over an endless horizon of green and driving along dirt roads into the depths of the forest – and entering a world where few people, let alone tourists, have set foot. In a world of increasingly contrived travel experiences, what better way to put the fun back into an adventure?

Lango Camp Walking Trail, Lango, Odzala, Rep of Congo
Odzala National Park, Republic of Congo
Neptuno Group lowland gorilla Silverback, Ngaga Camp, Odzala, Rep of Congo
Odzala National Park, Republic of Congo
Boat cruise at Mboko, Odzala National Park, Republic of Congo
Odzala National Park, Republic of Congo

Some ideas for a Congo holiday

  • Experience the Republic of Congo in style – fly to Odzala National Park, search for gorillas and watch elephants in the bai under a full moon whilst enjoying a delicious single malt around the fire
  • Search for the Fresco of Africa, a painting at the entrance to Brazzaville’s Poto-Poto market which shows the history of Congo. The market itself is also great fun.
  • Head north to the remote Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, where WCS researchers monitor the park’s threatened wildlife
  • Charter a plane from Odzala National Park and fly north to the Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve in the CAR, combining two of the region’s greatest wilderness areas.
Young male gorilla in tree, Ngaga Camp, Odzala, Rep of Cong
Odzala National Park, Republic of Congo

Lowland Gorilla Trekking in the Congo Basin

Explore the wildlife riches hidden deep within the dense forests of the Odzala National Park. Track lowland gorillas and encounter forest elephants in a jungle wilderness that hides in the far north of Congo.

10 days

from £13,495 pp

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Explore Republic of Congo

  • Nouabale Nkoki National Park
  • Odzala National Park

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

African Green Pigeon, Lango Bai, Odzala, Rep of Congo
Republic of Congo

Wildlife Safari

Explore by boat, 4×4 and on foot, looking out for forest elephants, monkeys, birds and more.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Mountain Gorilla, Uganda
Republic of Congo

Meet Dr Magda Bermejo

Spend time with gorilla researcher, Dr Magda Bermejo for a fascinating insight into her work.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Lowland Gorilla in Tree, Republic of Congo
Republic of Congo

Track Gorillas and Elephants

Trek in search of western lowland gorillas, spending an hour with a habituated family.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Lowland Gorilla, Congo
Republic of Congo

Track Elephants and Gorillas

Experience thrilling encounters with lowland gorillas and forest elephants.

Ombo Village visit, Ngaga Camp, Odzala, Rep of Congo
Republic of Congo

Forest Communities

Visit remote forest villages, alive with myths and superstition.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Market, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Republic of Congo

Poto-Poto Market

Search for the Fresco of Africa, a painting at the entrance to Brazzaville’s Poto-Poto market which shows the history of Congo.

Night Walk at Ngaga Camp, Odzala, Rep of Congo
Republic of Congo

Spend a night in the forest

Sleep in the forest and see what wanders through camp at night.

Lango Camp Walking Trail, Lango, Odzala, Rep of Congo
Republic of Congo

Discover Flooded Swamps

Paddle (or walk) through flooded swamps in wooden pirogues.

Photographing Western Lowland Gorillas, Ngaga Camp, Odzala, Rep of Congo
Republic of Congo

The Wildlife Conservation Society

Join wildlife researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society following gorillas and elephants.

Journey through Forest, Congo
Republic of Congo

Meet Ba’Aka Communities

Visit isolated riverside outposts and traditional Ba’Aka forest villages.

Suggested read: blog

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Mboko Camp £££££

  • Republic of Congo
  • Tented Camps

Spread along the banks of a tributary of the Lekoli River, the beautiful Mboko Camp looks out over an area of lush grassland. This rich vegetation attracts a wealth of animals, including forest buffaloes, elephants and spotted hyenas.

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Ngaga Camp £££££

  • Republic of Congo
  • Tented Camps

Located in the Ndzehi Forest on the western boundary of the park, the lodge sits at the crest of a glade, blending in seamlessly with the surroundings, looking out across the forest canopy. Each of the 6 forest huts are on raised wooden walkways, the thatch rooms have canvas screens at the front and back, hot showers, flush loos and ceiling fans, plus charging points for cameras and laptops, (but don’t expect wi-fi or phone reception).

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Lango Camp £££££

  • Republic of Congo
  • Tented Camps

Lango Camp sits in a spectacular setting, overlooking the bai from which it takes its name. Six traditional Congolese-style tree houses are connected by raised, wooden walkways that wind through the gallery forest.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Chris Johnston

Chris is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Africa.

25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Frequently asked questions about Republic of Congo

When is the best time to go gorilla trekking in the Republic of Congo

What advice would you give for photography in the Republic of Congo?

What are the lodges and camps like in the Republic of Congo?

Is it safe in the Republic of Congo?

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African parks people mudhouse
African Parks

African Parks

We support projects right across the planet. For example, in the Republic of Congo, African Parks runs a mobile clinic in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, in the Congo, which provides quality healthcare to women. A donation from Steppes Travel supported a special programme of information, education and communication (IEC) activities for women and girls, making them less vulnerable.

When planning your trip speak to our experts about how you can also support the destinations you are visiting.

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

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