Primates and Predators

Join our veteran safari guide Dana Allen for an utterly unique safari! We combine two epic wildlife experiences on this journey: legendary gameviewing at South Africa’s renowned Mala Mala Private Game Reserve and the thrill of observing a near-mythical endangered mammal in the wild: the lowland gorilla. Our adventure begins with a 4WD safari on the golden savannas of Mala Mala, famed for its breathtaking “Big Five” wildlife encounters. We then take a private charter flight directly to 8,400-square-mile Odzala-Kakoua National Park in a remote corner of the Republic of the Congo (also known as Congo-Brazzaville), near Gabon. The world’s largest population of lowland gorillas lives in this vast park’s dense, pristine rainforests. In this incredible environment, we travel by pirogue on winding rivers, explore on foot on the forest fringe, and enjoy the comfort of two exciting new safari camps: Lango and Ngaga. We can bank on once-in-a-lifetime encounters with lowland gorillas, our closest cousins, along with rare forest elephants, forest buffalo, and a host of exotic animals from giant forest hogs to huge flocks of African grey parrots. There’s no other wildlife journey quite like this one—if you’re a traveler who wants to head “off the map” for real adventure, this is it!

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-4
Johannesburg, South Africa / Mala Mala Private Game Reserve

Arrive in Johannesburg and fly by charter flight directly to Mala Mala Game Reserve. From Mala Mala’s Sable Camp, set in a prime elevated position overlooking the Sand River, enjoy exciting game drives in this world-famous private reserve, founded in 1927 and still providing some of the most thrilling wildlife encounters on the continent. On Day 4, return to Johannesburg for overnight.

Days 5-7
Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo / M’boko / Lango Camp

Fly to Brazzaville and continue by private charter flight to Odzala-Kokoua National Park. With comfortable accommodations at Lango Camp, nestled in a dense gallery forest, explore on foot on forest trails, by river on motorized pirogues, and from concealed gameviewing hides at Mbouebe Bai. The savanna, marsh, swamp forest, and riverine forest are home to forest elephant and forest buffalo, along with red river hog, eight species of monkeys, and an array of forest birds.

Days 8-11
Ngaga Camp / Gorilla Tracking / Brazzaville

Heading to the southwestern corner of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, our next accommodation is Ngaga Camp, situated in the heart of highest known densities of western lowland gorilla. No fewer than seven groups totaling over one hundred gorillas have been observed here. With our guide and tracker, we track and observe gorilla clans as they move through the forest. Return to M’Boko Airstrip on Day 11 and fly to Brazzaville for departing flights.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 3, Moderate. At Mala Mala in South Africa, we enjoy superb lodging and three days of morning and afternoon gameviewing excursions by open 4WD vehicle in search of the “Big Five”—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino.

In Odzala-Kokoua National Park at Lango Camp and Ngaga Camp, we have the chance to see fascinating and rare animals that few people other than wildlife researchers ever get to see. That said, there are some rigors involved in travel to and around Odzala-Kokoua National Park. The roads may be muddy, the vehicles may get flat tires, and the heat and humidity of the rainforest can be tiring. Lango Camp and Ngaga Camp have guest rooms supplied with fans but not air conditioning. Emergency medical evacuation from the camps can be prolonged, difficult, and expensive; if you have a medical condition of concern, this may not be the trip for you. (There is electricity in the guest rooms at Lango Camp and Ngaga Camp, so CPAP machines can be used). At Lango Camp, we travel by small motorized pirogue (canoe) as well as on foot and by safari vehicle. At Ngaga Camp, we make 2- to 4- hour gorilla tracking excursions (including time spent observing the gorillas), during which we may cover between 3 to 5 miles of walking. The Odzala rainforest environment can be muddy. After a forest walk, we will have wet shoes and muddy smears on our clothes as proof of our adventure! T-shirts, shorts, and sandals are not suitable attire for the Odzala camps. Rather, the ideal clothing is closed walking shoes (lightweight and quick drying—no heavy boots), long-sleeved shirts and long pants in fast-drying fabrics, and calf-length socks to avoid exposing the ankles. Limited laundry service is offered at camp, but same-day turnaround is not possible because of the time it takes to dry in the often-humid conditions.

The shape you’re in will be an important factor in your enjoyment of the walks and boat rides. Make an effort to get in good physical condition with hiking, biking, running, or other kinds of exercise beyond your normal routine. A brisk 30-45 minute walk every other day over moderately steep terrain can do wonders for your conditioning.

Any African safari is an adventure, and the traveler to Africa should bring along flexibility, a sense of humor, and an openness to the unexpected

Explanation of Trip Levels