Heart of Diversity

Within Central Africa lies an isolated nook of rain forest, teeming with an incredible density of western lowland gorillas. In this sprawling savannah and swampy grassland you'll experience a world that's both extraordinary and awe-inspiring.

After overnighting in Brazzaville, enjoy a leisurely morning discovering the capital city before catching a charter flight to Odzala-Kokoua National Park, renowned for its playful forest elephants and gentle western gorillas. It's also home to Lango Camp, a cozy treehouse-inspired lodging where you spend the next few nights, perhaps keeping an eye out for hornbills from the wraparound deck or climbing nearby watchtowers to glimpse grey-cheeked mangabeys. Days are free to explore rain forests, boat along the Lekoli River in hopes of spotting putty-nosed monkeys, or even go fishing.

Then it's off via vehicle—with a midday stop at Dzebe Bai—to sustainability-minded Ngaga Camp, where you relish the next two days tracking lowland gorillas on foot and observing these lovable creatures alongside a guide well versed in their habits and gestures. There's also an opportunity to visit the Gorilla Tracking Academy to learn about the role of local trackers in gorilla conservation.