Odzala-Kokoua National Park Republic of Congo | Lowland Gorillas
named in 1935, Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo is one of the earliest national parks in Africa. In 1977, it was named a Biosphere Reserve, and in 2023, it will be a World Heritage site. It is one of the biggest remaining complete forest systems in the world, spanning 13,546 km² in the middle of the Congo Basin. Of the world’s remaining rainforests, 18% are located in the Congo Basin, making it one of the most species-rich and biologically varied regions. It is for this reason that Odzala is a veritable biological treasure trove, with its patchwork of swamp forest, savannah-forest, and river systems. It is inhabited by a diverse array of animals and birds, including the elusive forest elephant, chimpanzees, the critically endangered western lowland gorilla, bongos, sitatungas, and yellow-backed duikers, and more than four hundred and forty species of birds.
Near the park, some 12,000 people call it home. They hail from various walks of life and rely on the forest for essential ecosystem services; this includes autochthone and Bantu ethnic groupings, among many others.
To ensure the preservation of this internationally important landscape, African Parks and the Ministry of Forest Economy, Sustainable Development and Environment of the Republic of the Congo signed a management agreement for 25 years in 2010. Recognising the ecological and sociopolitical relevance of Odzala-Kokoua, the government reaffirmed African Parks’ management agreement in 2020, strengthening the cooperation and including the Lossi Gorilla Sanctuary. This came after ten years of management partnership. Important wildlife corridors in the region include the 350 km² Lossi, which is located southwest of Odzala-Kokoua.
Odzala-Kokoua Highlights
- Forest elephants and western lowland gorillas are two examples of critically endangered species whose populations have been steadily increasing according to recent studies.
- More than 65% of the permanent workforce at Odzala-Kokoua hail from settlements located on the park’s outer perimeter, and 97% of them are Congolese nationals.
- As part of the larger strategy for community development, an ethno-anthropology study of the autochthone peoples offered data that informed the creation of an Indigenous Peoples Plan.
- Ecotourism is being promoted at a national level by Camp Imbalanga, which means more sustainable income and more opportunity for locals to make a living.
Odzala-Kokoua National Park Tours
11-Day Odzala-Kokoua Republic of Congo
Visit the lowland gorillas’ natural habitat as part of your dream 11-day Odzala-Kokoua National Park Republic of Congo itinerary. Take pleasure in kayaking across breathtaking waterways while viewing the magnificent forest elephant. There is little question that these river excursions are among the finest in all of Africa! People seeking something out of the ordinary will love this fantastic 11-Day Odzala-Kokoua Republic of Congo