9-day Congo Lowland Gorilla Conservation Photo Safari (May 1-9, 2025)

• Arrive in Brazzaville (BZV). We recommend flying through Paris (CDG) and taking AF 756, departing 9:35 am and arriving at 5:30 pm.
• Enjoy a welcome cocktail at the Mikhaels Hotel.
• Savor a delicious a la carte dinner, with a drink, included at the hotel as we meet and get to know each other.

• Take it easy at breakfast to adjust to the time difference and climate.
• At 10:00 AM, embark on a private minibus city tour with a local guide.
• Explore the Brazza Museum, learning about the city’s history and iconic figure, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza.
• Discover the busts of historical figures who shaped Congo’s past.
• Enjoy a relaxing lunch on the beach with a drink at the “Les Pieds dans L’eau” restaurant, with some free time afterwards.
• Late afternoon, we’ll learn about the vibrant Sapeur culture at a traditional exhibition and vote for the best-dressed participants.The Sapeurs (or La Sape) are a sub-culture of Congolese who dress with flair and fashion. They take their name from the acronym for their group: SAPE, meaning “Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes.” This translates to “the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People.” These are the people you’ll see dressed to the nines on a daily basis.
• Choose your dinner option: Mikhaels Hotel restaurant, lively “Chez Bolingo” with river views, or a buffet of African delights at Hotel Ilys. Taxis will be used for evening transportation.

• Rise early for a 6:30 AM breakfast and depart the hotel by 7:15 AM.
• Embark on a private boat trip from Mama Wata by 7:30 AM.
• Arrive at Manguengue fishing village by 8:30 AM to experience and photograph the bustling fish market.
• Purchase your own fresh fish for lunch!
• Learn about local Congolese government by meeting with the village chief and inhabitants. As customs dictact, we’ll share gifts and supplies. We’ll see and learn a bit about how local Congolese government functions.
• Learn to cook with locals. We’ll prepare lunch with the fish and side dishes we bought. We should make some fun memories here.
• It’s time to eat!  Our delicious lunch will followed by time to relax on the beach or swim in the Congo River.
• Depart Manguengue at 1:00 PM, cruising on the river towards Ngabe village.
• Learn fascinating myths and legends about the Congo River.
• Observe and photograph the diverse birdlife along the way.
• Stop at another traditional village built on stilts.
• Snacks and drinks will be provided on the boat for your comfort.
• Arrive at your charming cottage chalets in Ngabe in the late afternoon.
• Relax and enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool before a buffet dinner with a drink included.

• Photographers will head out on an optional birdwatching session at 7:00 AM.
• Savor a delightful breakfast at 8:00 AM.
• You’ll have the opportunity to mmerse yourself in village life by participating in optional activities like attending church, fishing, or helping in the fields.
• Enjoy a traditional lunch prepared by the locals.
• In the afternoon, meet with Queen Teke Ngalifourou, offering her gifts and tokens of respect.
• Explore the village at your leisure. We’ll watch for “slice-of-life” moments while we interact and visit with people.
• Participate in a local football game, offering the teams new footballs and pumps.
• Witness the captivating traditional Kebekebe dance performed by the villagers in the evening (one drink included).
• Assist in preparing dinner for the entire village with food brought from Brazzaville and purchased locally.
• Share a memorable dinner with the villagers.

• Start your day with a hearty breakfast at 6:30 AM.
• Depart for Lesio Louna Conservation Park at 7:30 AM with packed lunches and drinks.
• Arrive at the park by 9:00 AM. Lesio Louna rescues and rehabs orphaned Lowland Gorillas. The establishment of several breeding groups on the reserve offers witness to their success. Our photos will help raise awareness, boosting the conservation efforts of this dedicated facility. While here, we’ll embark on a scenic boat trip to observe birds and hippos, getting fantastic water-level photos.
• We’ll eat our picnic lunch at Lesio Louna.
• Return to Brazzaville with a rest stop at the small town of Ignie on the way, where we can pick up some local snacks.
• Upon arrival in Brazzaville, we must each take a PCR test in preparation for your visit to Odzala National Park (confirmation for 2025). Because Gorillas share 98% of our genetic make-up but not much our resistance to human disease, we must ensure that we protect their health.
• Check back into the Mikhaels Hotel and enjoy a private barbecue dinner by the pool.

• Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before 9:00 AM.
• Depart for the airport at 9:30 AM via the hotel shuttle.
• Take a private helicopter flight (maximum 20 passengers) to Odzala National Park at 11:00 AM.
• Savor a welcome lunch at Odzala upon arrival, then enjoy the afternoon
• Enjoy exclusive access to the entire park and lodge during our stay.

• We’re starting the day with gorillas! One Lowland Gorilla Trek is included on our first full day in the park. We are guaranteed to see gorillas. Our presence helps habituate them to humans, which is beneficial and necessary when veterinary care is needed.
• We’ll be in small groups of 4 for an intimate experience with these gentle apes. We’re going to aim for unforgettable photos–few people have seen, much less photographed Lowland Gorillas. We’ll be looking for breathtaking portraits and emotional conservation shots so we can each make a difference for their future survival.
• If you want to spend more time with gorillas, you can purchase a second trek for $750 at the Lodge.
• We’ll capture exquisite photos on our morning and evening guided walks through the captivating equatorial rainforest.
• Explore the diverse landscape with 4×4 drives.
• Glide along the river on kayaks, photographing wildlife from a unique perspective.
• While we are here for gorillas, we’ll also come across lots of other wildlife. We could see forest elephants, buffalo, different kinds of monkeys and plenty of bird species within this pristine and exclusive nature reserve.

• Depart Odzala National Park at 9:00 AM and head back to Brazzaville.
• Upon arrival, a shuttle will transfer you to the Mikhaels Hotel to drop off your luggage.
• Savor a delicious farewell lunch at a local restaurant before heading to a traditional handicraft market for souvenir shopping.
• Relax at the Mikhaels Hotel before your departure.
• Take a comfortable hotel shuttle to the airport at 4:00 PM for your onward journey. We won’t say goodbye, we’ll say “See you next time!” because we are sure–there WILL be a next time!

• Western Lowland Gorillas
• Forest Elephant
• Buffalo
• Chimpanzee
• Black & White Colubus Monkey
• De Brazza’s monkey (very rare)
• Mangabey monkey
• Bongo Antelope
• Sitatunga Antelope
• Bate’s pygmy antelope
• Water-adapted spotted hyena
• Giant Forest Hog
• Red River Hog
• Crocodile
• Hippo

• Golden-winged Sunbird
• Pearl-spotted Owlet
• Blue-capped Cordon-bleu
• Spotted Thick-knee
• Woodland Kingfisher
• Fischer’s Lovebird
• Yellow-collared Lovebird
• Rosy-breasted Longclaw
• Southern Ground Hornbill
• Tanzania Red-billed Hornbill
• Bare-faced Go-away-bird
• Schalow’sTuraco
• Cape Teal
• Saddle-billed Stork
• Grey Crowned Crane
• Kori Bustard
• Secretarybird
• Lesser Flamingo
• Greater Flamingo
• Hunter’s Cisticola
• Rufous-tailed Weaver
• Grey-breasted Spurfowl
• Hildebrandt’s Francolin
• Banded Parisoma,
• Usambiro Barbet
• Superb Starling
• Hildebrandt’s Starling

• Riverine
• Savannah
• Wetlands
• Highlands
• Forest
• Rainforest

• Spending time with endangered Lowland Gorillas, taking conservation-based photographs that will show your friends a species they’ve never seen, which in turn raises awareness for endangered wildlife.
• Looking for unique and endangered wildlife for additional photo opportunities, such as Forest Elephants and water-adapted hyena
• Spotting and photographing new and intriguing birds for bird watchers
• Meeting and socializing with Congolese people, including villagers along the river. We’ll spot and photograph slice-of-life moments.
• Because there is some down-time on this trip, we may be able to fit in personal photography instruction as well as coach.

We’ll take 12 clients on this small-group Photo Safari.

Double Occupancy: $11,250 USD

Solo Occupancy: $12,250 USD

Deposit: 35% – $3938

2nd Payment: 35% – 180 days prior to Safari – $3938

Final Payment: 30% – 90 days prior to Safari – $3374

You’ll need to be mobile and able to manage uneven terrain, especially if we have to walk to the gorilla’s location. Otherwise this will be a fairly undemanding safari.

You may need a Yellow Fever vaccine to enter the Republic of the Congo. It is a malaria area; please consult with your physician prior to travel. You should be up to date on tetanus prior to travel.

For more information, see your country’s health/travel website, or the CDC website: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/congo

We’re going to a rainforest, so we must expect rain. It can be hot, so plan lightweight wicking clothing plus a rain jacket. Sturdy waterproof shoes are suggested.

Republic of the Congo uses Type C, D, and E plugs. These are found on most international adapters. You may be able to use an adapter instead of a converter. To be sure, check the label on the appliance. Some appliances never need a converter. If the label states ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’ the appliance can be used in all countries in the world. Devices like this include most laptops and phones, most recently produced battery chargers, and many small, electrical gadgets, especially those designed for world travel.

You may be able to charge some gratuities to your credit card, but please have cash available for our guides during hikes and treks. Republic of the Congo uses the CFA Franc, linked to the Euro. Please check the exchange rate before departure and plan accordingly. ATMs will be available in Brazzaville and are safe to use with ordinary precautions.

We will have a Ranger and tracker during our Gorilla Treks, a guide for our birdwatching walks, and local guides for other activities. Please plan gratuities of at least $5-20 USD per activity, plus approximately $5/day for hotel staff. Restaurant gratuities should be in the 10-15% range.

Gratuities are always a personal choice. You may tip more or less depending on the quality of service you receive.