$7,610 ( £4,837 )pp per person sharing based on min 2 guests
$7,100 ( £4,513 )pp Per person sharing based on 3 + guests,
Single supplement of $570 ( £362 )
If the mysterious tropical forests of Africa fascinate you then this is the expedition for you, a journey into the untouched rain forests of Central Africa. This vast region, spanning three countries sparsely populated with Bantu tribes and nomadic groups of Pygmies will not disappoint the adventurer and wildlife lover.
You will be traveling in four by four wheel drive vehicles, in motorized pirogues, in dugout Pirogues powered by Pygmy and Bantu tribesmen, and on foot into the remotest parts of the jungle, and yet surprisingly the accommodation will be comfortable with private bathroom facilities and cold drinks throughout the time. You will enter a pristine region full of wildlife, including Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Elephants, and many of the smaller primates, small mammals, forest birds, and a wealth of flora.
We spend time watching elephants and other animals from the comfort of a mirador [A large covered viewing platform] at the famous Dzanga Bai.
We trek to see Gorillas on foot with Pygmy trackers. We have an opportunity to spend a day with the Pygmies starting early in the morning with a net hunt, followed by a lesson in medicinal and food plants of the forest, hut building and perhaps food preparation by some fascinating Pygmy woman.
ITINERARY
Day 1: The tour begins in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel.
Day 2: a long travel day; After an early breakfast, you head south for the Dzanga- Sangha Special Reserve where you will spend the next 9 nights. [B,L,D]
Dzanga-Sangha is the northern section of the north-western Congo Basin. In the reserve are large populations of Forest Elephant, Lowland gorillas, 16 of the country's primate species (such as De Brazza's Monkey with its distinctive white beard), hundreds of bird species, reptiles, frogs etc. you visit a village of the Ba'aka pygmies and if you want, you can join them in a hunt for food into the forests. The woman will share some traditional knowledge of the plants and you learn about their lifestyle in the forest. The WWF works with the Ba'aka in establishing conservation, education and health programs in the area. The next few days, may be spent visiting Dzanga Bai, tracking lowland gorillas and hunting with the Ba'aka. Our program will remain flexible as the logistics often dictate but should run closely along these lines:
Day 3: Gorilla tracking. Today you head down to Bai Hokou where you will spend time tracking a group of Western Lowland Gorillas. Dzangha Sangha and its neighbor in Congo Nouabale-Ndoki National Park are the only places in the world where you can find habituated Lowland Gorillas. [B,L,D]
Day 4: Visit to Dzanga Bai. A large mineral rich clearing in the middle of the rainforest where forest elephants gather in large numbers to indulge in drinking the mineral rich waters that bubble up in places in this Bai. The interaction between so many different groups of Forest elephants ensure that no one can ever get bored at this place, while the possibility of some of the other normally shy forest creature like Bongo, Giant Forest Hog, Red River Hog, Sitatunga and Forest Buffalos visiting the Bai keep us alert. [B,L,D]
Day 5. Today you head out with a group of Ba'aka net hunters as they go about their daily hunter-gatherer lifestyle. It is fascinating and a joy in itself to see how well adapted and comfortable the Ba'aka are in the forest while you may find it overwhelming and almost intimidating. You will be shown several of their medicinal plants while the hunt goes along in the background, and the excited cheers will alert us if they do catch something. THIS ACTIVITY IS NOT CONTRIVED AND THE HUNTERS ARE THERE TO CATCH THEIR FOOD SO PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SOME ANIMALS MAY BE KILLED DURING THIS TIME. [B,L,D]
Day 6. River activities and trekking. Heading upriver by boat you will hike to a series of waterfalls in the area. These will take us through the best examples of prime rainforest that you would ever see. Apart from the amazingly beautiful waterfalls, you will see some of the most spectacular trees imaginable. Climbing to the top of the falls will provide vistas over the canopy of the forest while the possibility of seeing the extremely rare and endangered Grey-necked Rock fowl will excite any birders. [B,L,D]
In the evening you may do a night walk near the lodge with the hope of finding some of the more elusive nocturnal animals such as Potto, Thomas's Galago, Tree Pangolin, African Palm Civet, Frazer's Eagle Owl, Vermiculated Fishing Owl and several more.
Day 7. Back into the park today with picnic lunches and you will do a walk around a series of clearings in the forest. The chance of finding buffalos, elephants and several monkey species on this trek are good. You will also visit a group of habituated monkeys called Agile Mangabey and spend some time photographing their interesting antics. [B,L,D]
Day 8. & 9: Leisure days for optional activities, you have these days for optional activities∑.These can range from repeating any of the earlier activities done at Sangha lodge such as Gorilla tracking, or visits to the Dzangha Bai, or alternatively just relaxing or walking on the several hikes you have laid out in the forest around the lodge. NO OPTIONAL EXTRA ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COSTS. [B,L,D]
Day 10: Today we catch a flight back to Bangui where the tour ends.
Day 11: day at leisure, Depart for home.
Includes :
1 gorilla tracking permit per person.
All park entrances and costs for activities mentioned in the program
All accommodation
All meals as mentioned in the program.
Excludes :
International flights , which we can arrange for you
Extra gorilla permits
Drinks (Bar)
Laundry
Tipping
Meals in Bangui
Visa’s
Notes: The option of flying in or out via a charter is available at the cost of around £2650 per flight.[8 pax]. The tour cost above requires 2 guests. This is Africa and this itinerary can be subject to changes.
