ODZALA CAMPS Congo
GORILLAS NOT TO BE MISSED Odzala aims to use responsible lowland gorilla-orientated tourism as a catalyst to spread the rainforest conservation message both globally and locally.
The Odzala experience is undertaken from two intimate, sensitively constructed camps that leave as light a footprint as possible and blend into this remote forest environment: Lango Camp, on the edge of the savannah and with access to the Lekoli and Mambili Rivers, and Ngaga Camp in the heart of a marantaceae forest.
Each camp consists of six creatively designed guest rooms, taking inspiration from the designs of the local B'Aka Pygmy groups. Natural locally sourced materials are used extensively in the construction of the camps: sustainably harvested hardwoods, bamboo and raffia palm matting. In the case of Ngaga Camp, each of the guest rooms is raised 3-4m above the ground with a wraparound walkway allowing full appreciation of the forest canopy. The same use of natural materials is a feature of large comfortable hides at the bais where guests spend time waiting for and watching forest wildlife.
Odzala's camps are situated in Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the remote north of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) - in the heart of the Congo Basin, the world's second largest expanse of tropical rainforest. Aside from a host of forest biodiversity, it holds Africa's densest population of western lowland gorillas and significant populations of forest elephant. It is also renowned as the richest forest block in central Africa for primates, with eleven diurnal species recorded and more than 100 mammal species - of which around 50 are classified as medium- or large-sized.
Activities range from gorilla tracking (habituated groups), pirogue rides along lush river systems, game drives in the savannah, night drives, walks along lush forest streams and salines, and of course time spent at the productive forest bais.
The 2013 season begins on 25 July, based on an extensive reinvestment programme designed to improve the quality and environmental sustainability of the two camps and the experience.
The Odzala experience is undertaken from two intimate, sensitively constructed camps that leave as light a footprint as possible and blend into this remote forest environment: Lango Camp, on the edge of the savannah and with access to the Lekoli and Mambili Rivers, and Ngaga Camp in the heart of a marantaceae forest.
Each camp consists of six creatively designed guest rooms, taking inspiration from the designs of the local B'Aka Pygmy groups. Natural locally sourced materials are used extensively in the construction of the camps: sustainably harvested hardwoods, bamboo and raffia palm matting. In the case of Ngaga Camp, each of the guest rooms is raised 3-4m above the ground with a wraparound walkway allowing full appreciation of the forest canopy. The same use of natural materials is a feature of large comfortable hides at the bais where guests spend time waiting for and watching forest wildlife.
Odzala's camps are situated in Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the remote north of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) - in the heart of the Congo Basin, the world's second largest expanse of tropical rainforest. Aside from a host of forest biodiversity, it holds Africa's densest population of western lowland gorillas and significant populations of forest elephant. It is also renowned as the richest forest block in central Africa for primates, with eleven diurnal species recorded and more than 100 mammal species - of which around 50 are classified as medium- or large-sized.
Activities range from gorilla tracking (habituated groups), pirogue rides along lush river systems, game drives in the savannah, night drives, walks along lush forest streams and salines, and of course time spent at the productive forest bais.
The 2013 season begins on 25 July, based on an extensive reinvestment programme designed to improve the quality and environmental sustainability of the two camps and the experience.